Achilles Tendinitis Treatment San Diego

Achilles Tendinitis Treatment

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What is Achilles Tendinitis and Tendinopathy?

When looking for Achilles tendinitis treatment, it is first important to understand the condition. Achilles tendinitis is characterized by pain, and sometimes swelling along the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinosis is pain that has become chronic (lasting 3+ months). At this stage of the injury, the tendon begins to show degenerative changes. Achilles tendinopathy is more of an umbrella term for pain and dysfunction at the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinopathy is a product of applying load to the tendon which exceeds the ability of the tendon to withstand load.

For example, a completely sedentary individual decides they want to start walking daily. They begin walking 5 miles per day up steep hills. After 3 weeks, they develop Achilles tendinitis in both lower legs. Why? The tendons were not in good condition with minimal activity demands, and then were put in a position of high strain (5 miles walks). Couple that with very minimal recovery between sessions (performing every day) and Achilles tendinitis may develop. If that same individual began their exercise program walking every other day, on flat ground starting with 10 minutes and slowly increasing the time of the walks, they would have likely have much more success in properly introducing strain to the tendons to avoid injury!

Achilles Tendinitis Treatment

Treatment Methods

Achilles tendinitis treatment generally consists of controlling the pain. Activity modification, NSAIDS, ice/heat, various manual therapy, and stretching to the calf muscles help with this aspect. In the video above, we discuss examination procedures for the Achilles and lower leg. We also show treatment options such as Active Release Technique for Achilles tendinitis, and Graston Technique for Achilles tendinitis. Active Release Technique involves identifying tight portions of the muscles that are causing excessive tension on the Achilles tendon. Once identified, the practitioner shortens the muscle, applies firm pressure and has the patient actively lengthen the muscle. This helps loosen the muscle, break down adhesions in the muscle fibers, and promotes blood flow for healing.

Graston technique for achilles tendinopathy involves using metal tools to rub along the Achilles tendon. This promotes blood flow to the the tendon which helps promote healing to the injured tendon. The manual treatments are designed to help decrease pain and allow the patient to strengthen the tendon successfully. For long term resolution of achilles tendinopathy, loading exercises are key.

Shockwave for Achilles Tendinitis

A new treatment modality has been shown to be effective at helping resolve chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Shockwave therapy utilizes high energy sounds waves which penetrate deep into the tissues. This results in improvement in blood flow, break down of scar tissue, and improve the healing response to the injured area. Read more about shockwave therapy here.

Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinitis

Exercises for Tendinopathy

The most recent literature in the past several years shows that Achilles tendinitis treatment must include loading exercises to the Achilles tendon. Various eccentric, isometric, concentric loading exercises have been tested and shown to help decrease symptoms while strengthening the tendon/muscle complex. When Achilles tendonitis exercises are performed, it is ok to work through some pain. As the function of the muscles and tendons improve, the pain will begin to dissipate and not return. Achilles exercises take patience, and consistency but will help significantly with Achilles tendinitis symptoms. Ultimately, strengthening, and proper return to play will help avoid nagging Achilles tendinitis symptoms. Check out our achilles tendinitis exercise video for examples of progressions we use in the office.

Exercises for Achilles Tendinitis

Shockwave Therapy for Hamstring injury

High Hamstring Tendinopathy Treatment

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High hamstring tendinopathy is a condition that affects many different athletes. This type of injury is usually a result of repetitive strain, and affects many running athletes. Track running athletes, particularly hurdlers, are susceptible to high hamstring tendinopathy due to the large forceful range of motion required. Endurance runners are also susceptible due to the high volume of contractions the hamstring muscles undergo during training and racing. Usual treatment for high hamstring tendinopathy involve massage, Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, eccentric loading exercises (Nordic hamstring curls), and core strengthening.

Shockwave Therapy for High Hamstring Tendinopathy

In stubborn cases of high hamstring tendinopathy, we have been having great success with shockwave therapy. High hamstring tendinopathy treatment with shockwave therapy involves using shockwaves to stimulate a healing response at the affected hamstring tendon. Shockwave therapy has been shown to increase blood supply, activate dormant stem cells, break down trigger points, and loosen up scar tissue/calcifications at the injured site.

In chronic tendinopathy, the affected tendon has poor blood supply and physically starts deteriorating. The shockwaves stimulate the body’s healing response to the area to regenerate the damaged tendon. With weekly treatments, the beneficial inflammation/healing response reaches its peak to repair the damaged tissue.

Watch a shockwave treatment with one of our marathon runners who was dealing with nagging high hamstring tendinopathy.

After 4-8 weeks, most patients experience complete resolution of their high hamstring tendinopathy. Most importantly, patients do not need to avoid training while you are undergoing shockwave therapy treatments. In fact, it is important to load the hamstring with targeted strength exercises. Eccentric loading exercises such the Nordic hamstring curl are very effective at targeting the hamstrings. Even simple isometric exercises are enough to stimulate the tendon while it undergoes shockwave therapy. If you are interested in starting your shockwave therapy for high hamstring tendinopathy, schedule here. We also treat various other tendinopathies with shockwave therapy.

Shockwave therapy for knee pain

Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain

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Shockwave therapy for knee pain is a very effective and efficient way to help manage painful knee symptoms. Many people experience knee pain due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, patellar tendonitis, knee arthritis, MCL sprain, pes anserine bursitis, etc. Shockwave therapy delivers high energy sounds waves into the injured tissues which causes an inflammatory response from the body. This inflammation produced by the body via the shockwaves helps the injured area regenerate, and increases the formation of blood vessels. This improvement in blood flow to the area allows for oxygen, nutrients, etc. to be delivered to the injured area.

Check out our video below and see how shockwave is applied to a painful knee. We also have successfully treated plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and different types of shoulder pain.

Shockwave therapy also has an analgesic effect. The acoustic waves disperse pain mediating neurotransmitters in the area. This means that the pain signals in the nerves are not able to send the signal to our spinal cord/brain. With less pain, we can then challenge the injured area more effectively with rehab exercises which will ultimately strengthen and bolster the injured area.

Shockwave After Knee Replacement Surgery

We have also had success with using shockwave therapy for patients who have had a previous knee replacement. Scar tissue, around the surgical site can cause pain and mobility issues which shockwave can improve. Shockwave therapy will help with the pain with the knee replacement and allow for exercise to help support the replaced knee joint.

Loading with Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain

With all shockwave therapy, we utilize loading exercises which result in further strengthening of the injured area. This results in further improvement in the injured structures and build resiliency. For knee pain, it is important to load the quadriceps tendon, patellar tendon, and other muscles/tendons that surround the knee. As an example patellar tendon injuries have poor blood supply and the tendon is usually weakened to a degree. Shockwave for patellar tendinitis helps promote further blood flow, and beneficial inflammation while loading exercises build resiliency.

If you are dealing with knee pain and are looking for knee pain relief in San Diego, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions and help with you getting back to activity pain free. Our San Diego Shockwave clinic is located in Mission Valley, San Diego.

Shockwave for Shoulder Pain San Diego

Shockwave for Shoulder Pain

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Shockwave for shoulder pain is becoming one of the leading therapies for treating chronic, unresolved shoulder pain. Many chronic shoulder conditions involve tendinosis of the rotator cuff. Tendinosis means that the tendon is beginning to degenerate due to chronic injury to the tendon. To help the tendon heal, shockwave for shoulder pain sends high energy sound waves deep into the affected tissues. These soundwaves cause irritation to the damaged tissues which results in the body perceiving that are as being “injured”. The body will then send growth factors to the area, release stem cells, increase capillary production so that the injured area can heal at a higher level.

Shockwave therapy has many benefits. It often will reduce pain and increase mobility immediately after the first treatment. Typical treatment protocols involve 4-6 treatments at 1 treatment per week. This accumulation of treatment ignites the bodies natural healing response to repair the damaged tissues. Our office uses the most advanced shockwave equipment from Kinas medical, the leader in shockwave technology.

Check Out Our Treatment Video Below

Our patient has been dealing with rotator cuff tendinosis. Traditional Physical Therapy, Graston Technique, and Active Release Technique offered only short term improvement before pain returned. The video shows his 4th shockwave treatment and has noticed significant improvement!

Shockwave San Diego

After the last shockwave for shoulder pain treatment, we wait 4-6 additional weeks to continue to allow the healing process to occur. Other treatment options for shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tendinopathies include PRP injections, cortisone shots, Graston Technique, Physical Therapy exercises, and Active Release Technique. We find that shockwave therapy offers fast, efficient treatment that is cost effective for our patients. PRP injections also utilize the body’s own healing response however each treatment ranges from $500-$1,500 per treatment and often requires multiple rounds of injections. PRP injections are also known to be quite painful for the patient while shockwave treatments are generally much more mild.

Can Shockwave Therapy Help with all Shoulder Conditions?

In general, shockwave therapy is very effective for long standing injuries lasting longer than 6 months. It is effective at stimulating the body’s healing response, breaking down scar tissue, and eliminating trigger points. All of which helps with decrease pain and increase range of motion. Shockwave therapy for frozen shoulder is particularly effective because the sound waves can penetrate deep into the shoulder joint where the adhesions in frozen shoulder are found. Many patients who receive shockwave therapy for frozen shoulder see immediate improvement in pain and range of motion!

Are you interested in shockwave therapy for shoulder pain? Schedule with our sports chiropractors at our shockwave clinic, Peak Form Health Center! We are conveniently located in Mission Valley, San Diego. We are one of the few sports injury clinics that offer shockwave therapy for sports injuries.

Shockwave for plantar fasciitis San Diego

Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

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Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is becoming the gold standard treatment type in sports medicine clinics. Plantar fasciitis treatment involves loosening the tight plantar fascia as well tight muscles in the lower leg. In the past, we relied heavily on using Graston technique for plantar fasciitis and have had great success. Some cases however, have been resistant to Graston technique and improvement plateaued. For chronic, plateaued plantar fasciitis cases, shockwave therapy may be the best treatment. We have seen patients who are considering surgery for plantar fasciitis, have complete resolution of symptoms after shockwave therapy. Keep reading to learn more and watch our demo video on how shockwave is used for plantar fasciitis!

Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Shockwave therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves, or sound waves at a very high amplitude or energy level. This results in mechanical irritation of the injured tissues. This irritation of the tissues causes the release of growth factors to the area with results in several effects:

  • An increase in capillary formation (improved blood flow)
  • Release of stem cells to help regenerate the injured tissues
  • Increase collagen production to help the area heal

Shockwave therapy also disrupts the pain signals from the heel to our nervous system. The acoustic waves help disperse a chronic pain mediating neurotransmitter called Substance P. As Substance P decreases, painful nerve signals are no longer able to be carried through the nerve endings. This helps significantly in both short term and long term pain relief. We are seeing excellent results in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions such as: calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, tennis elbow, hip bursitis, back pain, and neck pain.

At our office, we offer the latest shockwave technology offered from Kinas Medical Technologies; the leader in shockwave research and development.

Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis Expectations

Shockwave treatments are quick, relatively pain free and offer complete healing after a series of only 4-6 treatments. Each treatment may produce an increase in symptoms for a short period of time (~1-2 days). Some patients report an increase in symptoms temporarily before symptoms subside. After 4-6 treatments, patients then wait an additional 4-6 weeks as the effects of shockwave continue to improve the condition.

Graston technique for plantar fasciitis offers some of the same benefit as shockwave. In some cases Graston is not aggressive enough to heal the plantar fascia. Shockwave penetrates the tissues deeply to have an effect throughout the injured area. Graston technique for plantar fasciitis often will take about twice as long for similar results. For chronic plantar fasciitis, we find shockwave therapy to be more efficient, effective, and cost effective for the patient.

Ready to Eliminate Plantar Fasciitis for Good?

If you have chronic plantar fasciitis, we highly recommend a treatment trial of shockwave therapy! Peak Form Health Center is one of the few sport injury clinics that offers shockwave therapy in San Diego County. We are located in Mission Valley, San Diego. You can schedule a consultation by following the link below:

Shockwave therapy for tennis elbow san diego

Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow | San Diego, California

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Shockwave therapy for tennis elbow is becoming the gold standard for conservative treatment of tennis elbow. Tennis Elbow is a painful repetitive strain injury affecting the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. So when the forearm muscles become overused (tennis or typing at work), they become very tight and strained. This results in an excessive pull at the common extensor tendon which attaches to the bone. Over time the constant pulling and strain in these tissues results in pain at the tendon to bone attachment site.

Our clinic specializes in treatment for tennis elbow. In the past, we have primarily used Active Release technique and/or Graston technique for tennis elbow. We are now offering shockwave therapy for various sports injuries and are seeing amazing results!

Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow, San Diego, California
Shockwave Treatment for Lateral Epicondylitis

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses high energy sound waves at the injured tendon to create a healing process. The sound waves in shockwave therapy irritate the injured area at a cellular level. This causes the body to release growth factors resulting in new blood vessel formation, collagen synthesis, and the release of dormant stem cells at the injured site. The combination of these cellular processes, result in healing of the damaged tissue and decrease pain signals.

In most cases, 4-6 treatments are required at 1 visit per week. After the final dose of shockwave therapy, you wait an additional 4-6 weeks. This allows those cellular processes to continue working and improving the condition. After the 4-6 week after treatment effect, the condition is re-evaluated to see if more treatment is necessary. Most conditions show significant improvement between 4-6 visits. Shockwave treatment is fast and efficient, often taking less than 10 minutes for a therapeutic dose.

Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow at Peak Form Health Center San Diego, California

Instant Pain Relief with 1 Treatment

In the video above, our patient has dealt with tennis elbow for over 1 year! Our patient was contemplating surgery for tennis elbow. Her goal is to return to the tennis court and be able to play tennis at a high level without pain in the elbow. Shockwave has been the best treatment for tennis elbow that she has tried! In one treatment, her pain immediately reduced from 6/10 to 0/10!

Schedule Shockwave for Tennis Elbow Today!

If you are dealing with tennis elbow and are looking for a quick, efficient solution, shockwave therapy for tennis elbow is your best option. Peak Form Health center is one of the few clinics in San Diego county that offers shockwave therapy for tennis elbow. Schedule your first shockwave treatment today by clicking HERE.