Achilles Tendon Pain Treatment for Boise Runners
Get to the root of your Achilles pain—and return to running with confidence.
At Fit & Function, we specialize in helping runners overcome Achilles tendon issues with a research-backed, running-specific rehab approach.
Is It Really Achilles Tendonitis?
If you’re dealing with pain or stiffness at the back of your heel—especially first thing in the morning or during the early minutes of a run—you may have Achilles tendinopathy.
Despite the common term “Achilles tendonitis,” most runners aren’t dealing with inflammation. Instead, they’re experiencing tendinopathy, a condition where the tendon has become overloaded and structurally irritated over time.
The result? Pain, stiffness, and reduced performance if not addressed properly.
Common Signs of Achilles Tendinopathy
Pain at the mid-portion or insertion point of the tendon
Morning stiffness or pain after prolonged sitting
Discomfort at the start of a run that eases as you warm up
Tenderness when pressing on the tendon
Pain with calf raises or hopping on one leg
These symptoms tend to develop gradually—making it tempting to ignore them until they become more limiting. That’s where a guided rehab approach can make all the difference.
Why Runners Struggle With Achilles Pain
Runners place enormous force through the Achilles tendon with every stride—often 6 to 8 times body weight. Add in sharp increases in mileage, terrain changes, or a switch to zero-drop shoes, and the tendon may not keep up with the demand.
Our role is to identify the root causes of your tendon overload and guide you through a program that promotes healing, strength, and long-term durability.
How We Treat Achilles Tendon Pain
Step 1: Accurate Diagnosis
We first confirm that your symptoms are truly tendon-related—not nerve sensitivity, bursitis, or another issue mimicking Achilles pain.
Step 2: Load Management
You don’t necessarily have to stop running. We help you reduce tendon strain while staying active—through adjustments in terrain, intensity, or running volume.
Step 3: Targeted Strength Work
The tendon needs controlled stress to recover. We guide you through strength exercises that promote collagen remodeling and tendon resilience. This may include:
Heavy, slow resistance calf raises (bent and straight knee)
Posterior chain loading to offload the calf
Progressive plyometric drills to restore tendon energy storage
Step 4: Address Contributing Factors
We evaluate your full kinetic chain—hip, core, and foot mechanics—to ensure no weak links are placing extra demand on the tendon.
We also screen for under-fueling, sleep debt, or training errors that may be interfering with your recovery.
What About Running Form?
We don’t believe most runners need to completely change their running form—but we do evaluate your mechanics to ensure your loading patterns aren’t aggravating the tendon.
Sudden changes (like switching shoes or increasing vertical load) are often more problematic than subtle gait inefficiencies.
The Danger of Resting Too Long
Complete rest might feel like the safe route—but without reintroducing load, tendons become less tolerant to stress. We’ll help you find the sweet spot of activity that supports healing without flaring symptoms.
Why Runners Choose Fit & Function
We specialize in running injuries. That means we don’t just treat pain—we look at your training, your movement patterns, and your goals.
You’ll never get a handout or be told to just stop running. Instead, we build a plan around what matters most to you.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Longer evaluations and one-on-one care every session
A deep understanding of running mechanics and injury patterns
Progressive strength and movement plans tailored to your training level
A collaborative approach to keep you running safely when possible
We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t rush. Our model is built to go deeper so you can recover smarter.
Learn More: Check Out Our Blog Post On Achilles Tendon Pain
Dr. Maria Leibler wrote a blog post titled Achilles Pain in Runners: How To Treat It and Keep Running Strong.
This post breaks down what’s really going on inside the tendon, why rest and stretching often make things worse, and what it actually takes to get back to running pain-free.
See What Other Boise Runners Had To Say
Ready to Get Back to Pain-Free Running?
Whether your Achilles pain is new or has been lingering for months, we can help you recover with a plan built for runners.
Related Services for Runners
This page is part of our dedicated Running Physical Therapy services. We help runners of all experience levels recover from injury, improve performance, and build long-term resilience.