Achilles tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy is irritation or overload of the thick tendon at the back of the ankle. It often shows up as morning stiffness, pain with walking or running, or a tight, burning feeling above the heel.
Because the Achilles connects into the whole posterior chain (feet, calves, hamstrings, hips, back, even the neck), problems rarely come from one spot alone. Overuse, weak stabilising muscles, poor mechanics, and metabolic stress can all play a role.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, we treat the tendon and the system behind it—feet, calves, hips, spine, posture, and lifestyle—using physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and targeted rehab so you can return to running, sport, and daily life with confidence.
Achilles pain is more than just overuse
Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of pain at the back of the ankle and lower calf.
You might notice:
a dull ache or sharp pain just above the heel
stiffness in the mornings or after sitting
pain when walking uphill, climbing stairs, or running
tight calves that never seem to “loosen up”
It often affects runners and jumping athletes—but we also see it frequently in people who sit all day and then train hard in the evenings or on weekends.
What's going on in the body?
The Achilles tendon is a thick, powerful tendon attaching your calf muscles to your heel. It is the common tendon for:
gastrocnemius (medial and lateral heads)
soleus
plantaris
fascial fibres from flexor hallucis longus
Because it has to absorb and transmit high forces with every step and jump, it plays a major role in:
stabilising the lower leg
controlling landing forces
powering every push-off when you walk, run, or climb stairs
From a systems perspective, the Achilles is part of the Posterior Myofascial Line—a continuous chain linking:
plantar fascia
calves
hamstrings
glutes and pelvis
spine
muscles at the base of the skull
When one part of this chain stiffens or compensates, load often shifts down into the Achilles.
This is why Achilles problems commonly appear alongside:
plantar fasciitis or heel pain
knee or hip tightness
lower back discomfort
neck or upper-back tension
Pain in one place rarely has a single source. How your entire system moves and distributes load influences how this tendon behaves.
Why you might be feeling this way
Achilles tendinopathy often develops gradually. Typical contributors include:
Overuse from running, sport, or repetitive loading
sudden increases in distance, speed, hills, or jumping
Tight calves or overactive muscles inserting into the Achilles
especially when combined with weak supporting muscles
Weak “antagonists” and stabilisers
tibialis anterior, peroneals, intrinsic foot muscles, gluteus medius
Poor ankle mobility or collapsing arches
the foot and ankle can’t absorb force efficiently
Imbalances higher up the chain
hips, pelvis, and lower back not sharing load well
Long hours of sitting plus intense training
the “Marathon Office Warrior”: stiff calves and hips from sitting, then high-intensity sessions in the evening
And it’s not only mechanical.
For healthy muscle relaxation and tendon repair, your body also needs:
adequate minerals (magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium)
sufficient metabolic energy to drive recovery
When these are lacking—through stress, poor sleep, or under-fuelling—tissues can stay tight, inflamed, and slow to heal. At Roots Health Clinic, we consider whether nervous system, circulation, and basic metabolic factors might be contributing, and guide you accordingly.
How we can help at Roots
We don’t just chase the sore spot. We assess the entire kinetic chain from your feet to your hips to your spine, plus your training load and lifestyle.
Your personalised care may include:
Physiotherapy & progressive loading
structured strengthening for the Achilles and calf complex
eccentric and isometric loading where appropriate
gradual progression into running, jumping, and sport-specific drills
Hands-on therapy
manual therapy to release tight tissues around the calf, foot, and hamstrings
soft-tissue work to reduce protective tension and improve movement quality
Chiropractic care & alignment
improving pelvic, hip, and spinal mechanics
optimising weight distribution through the lower limbs
Posture, gait & running analysis
identifying compensations in your walking or running pattern
adjusting stride, cadence, or footwear where relevant
Foot & ankle stability work
strengthening intrinsic foot muscles and lateral stabilisers
exercises for balance, single-leg control, and landing mechanics
Lifestyle, breathing & metabolic guidance
simple strategies for stress, sleep, and load management
basic advice around minerals and fuelling for recovery (without overwhelming you)
This whole-body approach helps the tendon heal properly, not just feel a bit better for a week.
Achilles tendon pain? Get proven, whole-body treatment in Prague
If Achilles pain is stopping you from running, walking, or living normally, you’re in the right place.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, our team of chiropractors and physiotherapists combine alignment, strength, and movement-based treatment to help your tendon heal properly—not just temporarily.
We’ve helped athletes, office workers, and weekend runners across Prague recover safely and naturally.
Who we commonly help
Achilles tendinopathy isn’t just a runner’s injury. At Roots, we regularly help:
professional hockey and football players
Olympic-level cyclists and sprinters
CrossFit, HIIT, and field-sport athletes
recreational runners, hikers, and weekend warriors
And surprisingly often, we see:
The “Marathon Office Warriors”
people who sit most of the day—tightening their calves and hips—
then try to make up for it with intense runs or gym sessions in the evenings or on weekends
Long hours of sitting plus sudden bursts of activity place the Achilles under enormous strain. We help you address both worlds: how you sit, and how you move.
Simple self-checks you can try at home
Not sure if your Achilles is the real issue—or just a symptom of something else?
Here are a few home tests to try:
Single-leg heel raise: Can you do 10 slow reps on each side without pain or cramping?
Toe walk test: Try walking on your toes for 30 seconds. Is one side weaker or more painful?
Wall ankle mobility test: Can your knee touch the wall with your toes ~10 cm away, without the heel lifting?
Glute activation test: Lie on your back, knees bent. Can you lift your hips with glutes, not hamstrings or back?
If any of these feel limited, painful, or clearly different side-to-side, your system might be compensating—and putting extra load on your Achilles. A proper movement assessment can uncover the full picture and fast-track your recovery.
What people often notice after care
As treatment progresses, many people report:
less pain with walking, running, or climbing stairs
smoother movement and more spring in their step
better ankle mobility and calf flexibility
more stability and confidence in the lower body
reduced tension through the entire posterior chain
a clear understanding of how to prevent future flare-ups
Signs it’s more than just a tight calf
Achilles issues often start subtly—and don’t always show up as sharp pain. You might notice:
Your morning steps feel stiff or awkward for the first few minutes
You need to “warm up” just to walk comfortably
Stairs, hills, or uneven ground trigger a dull ache above the heel
You’ve stopped running or jumping because it “just doesn’t feel right”
You stretch and foam-roll daily… but the tightness keeps coming back
Your calves cramp or burn more easily than they used to
One leg always feels stiffer, heavier, or less springy
The problem isn’t just in the tendon—it’s how your body is absorbing and distributing force. We help you get to the root.