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Achilles tendinopathy treatment in Tunbridge Wells
Achilles tendinopathy causes pain and stiffness in the tendon at the back of the ankle. A structured exercise programme is the main treatment, and shockwave can be added for stubborn cases.
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Tendinopathy means the tendon has become painful and less able to cope with load, usually after a change in activity, such as more running or walking. It used to be called Achilles tendonitis.
It can affect the middle of the tendon or where it attaches to the heel, and the two are treated slightly differently.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy
Morning stiffness
Stiffness and pain at the back of the ankle when you first get up.
Pain with activity
Pain at the start of exercise, which may ease as you warm up, then return afterwards.
Tenderness
A tender or thickened area in the tendon.
Pain on hills or stairs
Pain walking uphill, on stairs or rising onto your toes.
A sudden snap or feeling of being kicked in the back of the ankle, with difficulty walking, may be a tendon rupture. Go to A&E straight away.
Treatment options
Treatment for Achilles tendinopathy
Shockwave therapy
£90 a session
For Achilles pain that hasn’t settled with exercises, used alongside your loading programme.
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
Self-care
Helping yourself
Reduce, but don’t stop, activity. Avoid sudden increases in running or walking.
Do your loading exercises regularly; tendons need gradual, progressive load to recover.
A small heel raise in your shoe can ease pain in the short term.
Your clinicians
Meet the team
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Dr Gabriel Azzini
Doctor, Sport & Exercise Medicine
GMC 7689922
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Achilles tendinopathy★★★★★
Gary was a great help, in particular his recommendations on using the balance pad to strengthen surrounding tendons… It took a long time to notice any major improvement… Give it a go, but please don’t expect it to work quickly and solve everything.
Max E. · 2026 · Google review
Achilles tendinopathy★★★★★
After an initial consultation with Gary for achilles tendonitis, an ultrasound scan followed by shockwave treatment, I then had weekly sessions over a period of 2 months… The shockwave results weren’t instantaneous and the pain sometimes fluctuated.
Mel R. · 2025 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
Severe plantar fasciitis. Had several sessions with Gary, shockwave therapy. Really has settled down well. Gary provides calm reassurance coupled with great knowledge and expertise in the field.
Graham C. · 2026 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
Gary is very knowledgeable and has given me lots of great advice and the treatment has been great! My pain levels are much better… Booking was easy using the online system and Gary has been very helpful and friendly.
Emily C. · 2023 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
I’ve just had my 6th treatment for plantar fasciitis and I am very happy with the reduction in pain so far. Gary has been so informative and invested in my healing process.
Olivia M. · 2025 · Google review
Calcific tendonitis★★★★★
Attended Gary at the Vale Health Clinic for chronic shoulder calcific tendinopathy… Gary was informative, without being condescending, and explaining everything he was doing and why, as well as being personable and chatty!
Alison W. · 2026 · Google review
Tennis elbow★★★★★
I have had 5 sessions with Gary, and so far things are going really well. I am not totally pain free but am now able to do most things without a problem. He gave me gentle exercises to do… Gary is very knowledgeable and takes time to listen to you.
A randomised trial found that adding shockwave to an exercise programme gave better results at four months than exercise alone for mid-tendon Achilles pain [1].
Should I stop running?
You may need to reduce running for a while, but complete rest isn’t usually best. We’ll help you adjust your activity and build back up.
Do you inject steroids into the Achilles?
No. Steroid injections into the Achilles tendon aren’t recommended because of the risk of weakening or rupturing it.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N. Eccentric loading versus eccentric loading plus shock-wave treatment for midportion achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med 2009;37(3):463–470. doi:10.1177/0363546508326983
Written by Gary Edwards, Injection Therapist (PG Cert Injection Therapy) and Chiropractor (GCC 03996). Last updated 15 October 2026.
