Achilles pain can be frustrating. It starts as stiffness in the morning or soreness after a run, then slowly turns into something that just won’t go away.
At Mitten Health & Performance in Elk Rapids, we commonly see Achilles tendonitis in runners, lifters, and active adults who try to push through it for months.
The problem is, chronic Achilles pain is rarely just inflammation.
What Is Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis refers to irritation and degeneration of the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel.
Common symptoms include:
• Pain or stiffness in the morning
• Tenderness along the tendon
• Pain with running, jumping, or pushing off
• Thickening of the tendon over time
In long standing cases, the tendon tissue becomes degenerative. It loses healthy structure and blood supply, which is why rest alone often does not solve the problem.
Why Chronic Achilles Pain Lingers
When a tendon is overloaded repeatedly without proper recovery, the tissue quality changes.
Instead of healthy, organized collagen fibers, the tendon becomes disorganized and weaker. Blood flow decreases. The body’s healing response slows down.
That’s when people get stuck in the cycle of:
Rest → Feel better → Return to activity → Pain comes back.
How Shockwave Therapy Helps
Shockwave therapy is a non surgical treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tendon tissue.
At Mitten Health & Performance, we use shockwave therapy in Elk Rapids to:
• Increase blood flow to the tendon
• Stimulate collagen remodeling
• Improve tissue quality
• Reduce pain sensitivity
Think of it as restarting the healing process in tissue that has stalled.
Most treatments are quick, typically around 5 to 10 minutes focused directly on the tendon.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Shockwave is not a stand alone fix.
We also assess:
• Ankle mobility
• Calf strength
• Hip stability
• Training load and recovery
If you do not address the reason the tendon became overloaded in the first place, the pain often returns.
Our goal is not just to calm it down. It’s to help you stay active long term.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Shockwave?
Shockwave therapy may be a good option if:
• Your Achilles pain has lasted more than 6 weeks
• Rest and stretching have not solved it
• You want to avoid injections
• You want to continue training or competing
Because we operate on a cash basis, care is straightforward and transparent. No insurance limitations, just a clear plan.
Ready to Get Back to Training?
If you’re dealing with chronic Achilles tendonitis in Elk Rapids or near Traverse City, shockwave therapy may be a strong option.
Schedule a consultation at Mitten Health & Performance and let’s build a plan that fits you, your goals, and your comfort level.
Alex Cesal DC, CCSP
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