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Heal Your Achilles – Physical Therapy for Tendon Recovery

by | Sep 3, 2025 | Ankle Pain

patient receiving treatment on their achilles tendon

Are you dealing with persistent pain in the back of your heel or ankle? It might be your Achilles tendon, a strong but often overworked band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Achilles tendon injuries, from minor strains to a full rupture, can be incredibly painful and disruptive to your daily life. But the good news is, you don’t have to navigate the path to recovery alone. Physical therapy, especially with specialists like those at PRO Therapy, plays a crucial role in healing and regaining your strength.

achilles- anatomy muscle isolatedUnderstanding Your Achilles Tendon

Before we dive into treatment, let’s understand the problem. The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in your body, essential for walking, running, and jumping. However, it’s susceptible to injury from overuse, sudden increases in activity, or improper footwear. Two common conditions are Achilles tendinitis (inflammation) and Achilles tendinosis (a more chronic degeneration of the tendon). Without proper care, these issues can lead to more severe problems, including a full tear.

Why Physical Therapy is the Key to Recovery

When you’re in pain, your first instinct might be to rest, and while rest is important, it’s not a complete solution. A doctor of physical therapy at PRO Therapy can provide a comprehensive, tailored treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your pain. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Accurate Diagnosis: Our specialists will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the extent and nature of your injury. This isn’t just about the pain; it’s about understanding why the injury occurred.
  • Pain Management: We use a variety of techniques to reduce pain and inflammation, allowing for a more comfortable and effective rehabilitation process.
  • Customized Exercise Plans: A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for tendons. We’ll design a program of specific, progressive exercises to strengthen your calf muscles, improve flexibility, and restore proper function to your ankle and foot. This includes eccentric exercises, which have been shown to be particularly effective for Achilles tendinopathy.
  • Education and Prevention: Our goal is not just to treat your current injury but to prevent future ones. We’ll teach you proper form for activities, guide you on footwear choices, and provide a home exercise program to maintain your progress.

The PRO Therapy Difference

At PRO Therapy, our team of doctors of physical therapy has specialized training in treating complex musculoskeletal conditions. We’re dedicated to helping you get back to the activities you love, whether that’s running a marathon or simply walking your dog without pain. We use evidence-based practices to ensure you receive the most effective and efficient care possible.

Don’t let Achilles pain hold you back. If you’re struggling, schedule a consultation with one of our specialists at PRO Therapy today and start your journey toward a full and lasting recovery.

Dr. Kevin Spahr

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Excellent
PRO Therapy
Based on 324 reviews
Mark N.
I've had PT in many locations from many different providers. ProTherapy is the most upbeat group of EXPERT DPTs that will motivate, guide, and support you as you regain strength, flexibility or wherever you may be on your journey to greater health. And they are FUN!!
ProTherapy has been a great partner for me through back and knee rehab along with pre- and post- hip replacement care. ProTherapy rocks!

Dr. Lily is my PT hero! It's hard to say goodbye after so many issues addressed. But time to head out on my own knowing that ProTherapy will be there for me should I need them again.

Thanks again to my ProTherapy PT family!
Darlyne J
Thank you, Pro Therapy, for excellent service and guidance for my left hip injuries. What a difference I am experiencing after dry needling, the targeted exercises, and lately the fantastic Stem Wave therapy. Special shout-out to Dr. Lilly.
Emma H.
PRO Therapy is the absolute BEST. I had shoulder pain/arm tingling/arm numbness in my left arm and was able to make everything go away within 4 weeks! The staff is incredibly friendly. I worked with Dr. Lily, who was PHENOMINAL. She was very caring and attentive to my questions and concerns. If I ever need physical therapy help again, I will be going back! Highly recommend!
Jacob H.
I worked with Dr Kelvyn on my ankle and he was excellent. Very attentive and good at changing/adding exercises as needed. He went above and beyond by adjusting my exercises to my desired activities. Extremely positive experience overall.
Alessia C.
I worked with Dr. Lily from January to July following a bad car accident and I can't recommend her enough!! From day one, she was incredibly friendly, supportive, and truly listened to what I was going through. She customized a workout and recovery plan that evolved with me every step of the way, making sure it suited my needs and progress.

She also introduced me to cupping and dry needling, both of which were completely new to me, and was extremely patient and reassuring, especially knowing I was nervous about needles. Thanks to her care and dedication, I’ve seen some improvement in my back, neck, and legs.

If you’re looking for someone who’s highly skilled, compassionate, and genuinely committed to helping you heal, Dr. Lily is the one to see! 🙂 Thank you!!
MaryAnn S
I have been a client of PRO Therapy since 2019 and each time I have received the best of care from the doctors I have seen. Every team member here cares about the individual and the best approach to healing. I try to deal with my pain issues with out drugs as much as possible and the care I receive from the therapists at PRO Therapy is the best. I highly recommend their services. Most recently I injured my right shoulder and arm from pulling weeds and waited too long to address the pain and limitations I was experiencing. The Stemwave non-invasive medical treatment that I have received in the past 3 weeks along with PT from one of the doctors has brought tremendous relief and is allowing me to get back to normal day to day activities. If you are looking for a clinic that treats you with respect and care as well as addressing your pain issues, don’t go any where else, PRO Therapy is your place!
Lindsay G.
My experience with Pro Therapy, and Dr. Lily Anderson was awesome. I had let my injury get to the point where it was disruptive not only to my training but daily life. Dr. Lily helped me set goals for each week, and I started to see improvement weekly! Now I have the tools and knowledge to maintain my recovery. So grateful for Dr. Lily and Pro Therapy.
Makenna S.
Dr. Lily was incredibly helpful in diagnosing and treating my knee pain! She was always so receptive to my feedback and incredibly accommodating to wherever I was at in my rehab journey. Her exercises and guidance have me pain-free after just a couple months, cannot recommend highly enough!
Sam H.
Lovely PTs! Easy to talk to professionals who know what they are doing and how to best help you. Scheduling appointments are very simple and they always send a reminder text the day before your appointment. Highly recommend!
N
Outstanding experience working with Dr Salfer and the Pro Therapy team. Helped me overcome a longstanding injury that blocked me from running. Am back to regular 5Ks for the first time in almost a decade and feel fantastic! Dr Salfer is great at what she does and is super patient to answer questions and provide instructions on how to do exercises. Front desk team also couldn’t be nicer. Thank you!