Achilles Tendonitis is a common condition that is usually caused by repetitive use or chronic tightness of the calf muscles. Additionally, achilles tendonitis can occur as a result of a trauma such as a fall or an ankle sprain. Pain and tightness are common symptoms of tendonitis, especially worse first thing in the morning. The achilles tendon may have a decreased blood flow due to the tightness and increased level of inflammation and swelling. Besides repetitive use, other risk factors for Achilles Tendonitis include obesity, diabetes, taking steroid medication, wearing poor footwear, and aging. Your therapist will conduct a thorough examination of your achilles area including the calf and the foot, and create a custom treatment plan to address your symptoms. Your treatment program may include manual therapy (hands on treatment), exercises (stretching and strengthening), taping, and needling (acupuncture or dry needling). You may also recieve advice on activity modification to decrease stress on the tendon as it heals.