Achilles Tendonitis Treatments - The Good, the Bad, and the Useless

There's no one-size-fits-all treatment for Achilles tendonitis/tendinopathy. However, there is a treatment approach that works best for most people, and this is backed up by research. In this video, Treat My Achilles co-founder Maryke Louw explains this approach. She also cautions against other treatments that are useless or may harm your Achilles tendon even further.

👉 The video mentions heel lift shoe inserts to help your Achilles pain to calm down. Here are some examples on Amazon:
- Makryn adjustable: https://geni.us/lA7G
- XINIFOOT: https://geni.us/QiGjBE
- Ailaka gel: https://geni.us/pZUEZ

🌟Need more help with your injury? You’re welcome to consult one of the team at TMA online via video call for an assessment of your Achilles injury and a tailored treatment plan: https://www.treatmyachilles.com

📽️Other videos mentioned in this video:
▶️ Why Relative Rest is Important for Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment:    • Why Relative Rest is Important for Ac...  
▶️ Exercises For Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy - What, When, How Often?    • Exercises For Achilles Tendonitis/Ten...  
▶️ Persistent/Chronic Achilles Pain? How Understanding Pain Can Help:    • Persistent/Chronic Achilles Pain? How...  
▶️ Achilles Tendonitis Treatment - Pain vs. Scan Results:    • Achilles Tendonitis Treatment - Pain ...  
▶️ Laser Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis - Does It Work?    • Laser Treatment for Achilles Tendonit...  
▶️ Is Ice Or Heat Better For Achilles Tendonitis?    • Is Ice Or Heat Better For Achilles Te...  
▶️ PRP Injections for Achilles Tendinopathy - Do they Work?    • PRP Injections for Achilles Tendinopa...  
▶️ Supplements for Achilles Tendonitis:    • Supplements for Achilles Tendonitis  
▶️ Learn how the Menopause can Cause Achilles Tendonitis:    • Learn how the Menopause can Cause Ach...  
▶️ Hormone Replacement Therapy, the Menopause, and Achilles Tendonitis:    • Hormone Replacement Therapy, the Meno...  
▶️ Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), Achilles Tendonitis & Other Injuries - When to Use It & When Not To:    • Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), Achille...  
▶️ How Long does Achilles Tendonitis Recovery Take?    • Recovery Times for Achilles Tendoniti...  
▶️ Night Splints for Achilles Tendonitis - A Waste of Money. Do this Instead:    • Night Splints for Achilles Tendonitis...  
▶️ Achilles Tendinopathy: Corticosteroid Injections:    • Achilles Tendinopathy: Corticosteroid...  
▶️ Using A Boot for Achilles Tendinopathy or Pain:    • Using A Boot for Achilles Tendinopath...  
▶️ DON'T Do Cross Friction Massage for Achilles Tendinopathy:    • DON'T Do Cross Friction Massage for A...  

Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:53 The best treatment for Achilles tendonitis
00:08:27 Treatments that may reduce pain (but won't heal your tendon)
00:16:19 Treatments that may speed up healing
00:18:27 Achilles tendonitis treatments for specific situations
00:23:21 These treatments are a waste of time and money
00:24:50 Treatments that can make your Achilles tendonitis worse
00:27:37 How we can help

👉Some links here are to places where you can buy something relevant. If you do, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References:
Challoumas, Dimitrios, et al. "How does surgery compare to sham surgery or physiotherapy as a treatment for tendinopathy? A systematic review of randomised trials." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 5.1 (2019): e000528.
Cook JL. “Ten treatments to avoid in patients with lower limb tendon pain.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2018;52:882.
Cook JL, Rio E, Purdam CR, et al. “Revisiting the continuum model of tendon pathology: what is its merit in clinical practice and research?” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2016;50:1187-1191.
De Vos, R.-J., et al. (2021). "Dutch multidisciplinary guideline on Achilles tendinopathy." British Journal of Sports Medicine 55(20): 1125-1134.
Hanlon, S. L., et al. (2021). "Beyond the Diagnosis: Using Patient Characteristics and Domains of Tendon Health to Identify Latent Subgroups of Achilles Tendinopathy." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 51(9): 440-448.
Malliaras, P. (2022). "Physiotherapy management of Achilles tendinopathy." Journal of Physiotherapy 68(4): 221-237.
Scott A, Docking S, Vicenzino B, et al. “Sports and exercise-related tendinopathies: a review of selected topical issues by participants of the second International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium (ISTS) Vancouver 2012. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2013;47:536-544.
Slagers, A. J., et al. (2021). "Psychological factors during rehabilitation of patients with Achilles or patellar tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study." Physical Therapy in Sport 50: 145-152.
Vajapey S, Ghenbot S, Baria MR, Magnussen RA, Vasileff WK. “Utility of Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy for Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review.” Sports Health. 2021 May-Jun;13(3):258-264.
Van Der Vlist, A. C., et al. (2021). "Which treatment is most effective for patients with Achilles tendinopathy? A living systematic review with network meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials." British Journal of Sports Medicine 55(5): 249-256.
Zhi, X., et al. (2021). "Nonoperative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review." Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 16(1): 1-12.