Low Level Laser Therapy Provides An Effective Drug-Free, Safe Treatment Option For Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment using Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Also known as: Achilles tendinitis, Achilles tendinosis, Achilles tendinopathy can be successfully treated with LLLT.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries to stimulate cellular repair. LLLT has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect as well as a healing effect on the inflamed tendons of Achilles Tendonitis and surrounding inflamed soft tissues. LLLT is completely safe and has no effect on normal tissues. LLLT treats the underlying cause of the injury unlike pain medication which just masks the pain.
What is Achilles Tendonitis?
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and is the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse when the Achilles tendon degenerates and become inflamed, and/or inflammation of its covering occurs. It may involve micro-tears of the tendon
What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?
Tendons are the tough fibres that connect muscle to bone. Most tendon injuries occur near joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. A tendon injury may seem to happen suddenly, but usually it is the result of many tiny tears to the tendon that have happened over time.
Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that is common especially to joggers and jumpers, due to the repetitive action and so may occur in other activities that requires the same repetitive action.
Most tendon injuries are the result of gradual wear and tear to the tendon from overuse or ageing, however an Achilles tendon injury can also happen suddenly.
Anyone can have a tendon injury, but people who make the same motions over and over in their jobs, sports, or daily activities are more likely to damage a tendon.
Common causes include: over-training or unaccustomed use – “too much too soon”, sudden change in training surface e.g. grass to bitumen, toe walking (or constantly wearing high heels), poorly supportive footwear, hill running.
What are the Symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis may be felt as a tightness and/or burning pain at the beginning of activity, which gets less during activity and then worsens following activity. The tendon may feel stiff first thing in the morning after sleeping, after sitting for long periods or at the beginning of exercise.
Achilles tendonitis usually causes pain, stiffness, and loss of strength in the affected area.
Many patients will notice a bump either in the tendon or right behind the heel bone. Some may also get irritation from shoes rubbing against the bump and feel better when wearing backless shoes. Patients also commonly have less pain while wearing a shoe with a slight heel versus shoes that are flat.
How is Achilles Tendonitis Diagnosed?
A diagnosis is usually able to be made based on the history and a physical examination
Achilles tendons will often have a painful and prominent lump within the tendon. There is enlargement, tenderness to touch and warmth of the tendon 1 to 4 inches above its heel insertion.
An MRI or ultrasound may also be performed to further evaluate how much of the tendon is affected and to look for any tears.
What is the Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis?
Traditionally, treatments for Achilles Tendonitis consist of temporary pain relief using anti-inflammatory medication, rest, and icing the area. While ice numbs the pain it also prevents healthy blood flow which is essential to providing oxygen and nutrients to the area to heal it, and remove waste products and CO2. Ice should therefore not be applied to injuries after the acute phase (the first day). Read more here.
A number of other treatments are described in the literature e.g. massage, stretching, and none of these definitely heal the tissues. It is not possible to heal damaged soft tissues through strengthening exercises. The injured tendon needs to heal before it and its supporting structures can be strengthened.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries to stimulate cellular repair. LLLT has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect as well as a healing effect on the inflamed tendons of Achilles Tendonitis and surrounding inflamed soft tissues. LLLT is completely safe and has no effect on normal tissues. LLLT treats the underlying cause of the injury unlike pain medication which just masks the pain.
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury to attempt to heal it. But often the inflammatory reaction is excessive and this has a paradoxical inhibitory effect on the body’s natural healing mechanisms. This then perpetuates pain and dysfunction in the affected area. By improving circulation and increasing cellular repair functions LLLT provides an environment for your body’s own natural healing processes to be activated and restored. Once normal immune processes are restored, the excessive inflammation is reduced and healing can begin.
LLLT is very comfortable and does not exert any physical force on the Achilles tendon. Manipulation of the injured tendons just aggravates the problem, so you don’t want to actually handle the tendons. Instead decreasing excessive inflammation with the use of LLLT enables faster healing.
LLLT stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage, improved delivery of O2 and nutrition to the area, oxygen utilisation, removal of oxygen-free radicals and other waste products, and tissue healing. Read more on how Low Level Laser Therapy works.
You will be encouraged to move the affected area within range of movement/pain but not exert stretch or force during the healing phase.
The end result is resolution of inflammation and restoration of healthy tendons and local soft tissues. Once tissues are healed, pain is eliminated and normal range of motion and function is restored. Then muscle and tendon strength and flexibility can be addressed with graduated exercises and stretching. Calf strength and power should be gradually progressed from partial and then full weight bear and resistance loaded exercises. You may also require strengthening for other leg, gluteal and lower core muscles.
LLLT has no known side effects, is safe and effective. By treating the underlying problem, LLLT results in relief of pain and restoration of function.
