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📌 FREE Guide - Achilles Tendinopathy Evidence Based "Cheat Sheet" https://fitnesspainfree.com/achilles-tendinopathy-cheat-sheet-lead-magnet/ Thanks for watching!

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Show Notes, Credit & References:
- https://fitnesspainfree.com/2026/01/the-best-evidence-based-treatment-strategy-for-achilles-tendinopathy/

In today's episode we go over The Best Evidence-Based Treatment Strategy for Achilles Tendinopathy  - FPF Show Episode 187

In this discussion, we cover:

✅The current evidence on Achilles tendinopathy treatment
✅Why progressive tendon loading outperforms passive care
✅How to apply isometric, isotonic, and heavy slow resistance loading
✅Pain monitoring and flare-up rules for Achilles rehab
✅Common mistakes physical therapists make with Achilles loading
✅How to progress load safely without delaying return to sport
✅When symptoms are acceptable — and when they’re not

Timestamps
00:00 What Is the Best Loading Protocol for Achilles Tendinopathy?
01:19 Isometrics vs Eccentrics vs Heavy Slow Resistance
01:51 The Study: 4-Stage Progressive Loading for Achilles Tendinopathy
02:32 Why Isometrics Were Included (Lessons from Patellar Tendinopathy)
04:59 Do Different Loading Methods Actually Perform Differently?
05:48 Pain Monitoring Model vs Dialing Things Back
06:59 Study Methods: Who Was Included (and Excluded)?
09:44 Treating Chronic vs Acute Achilles Tendinopathy
11:04 Outcome Measures Used in the Study
12:00 Overview of the 4-Stage Progressive Loading Program
12:22 Pain Rules & Progression Criteria (≤3/10 Model)
14:09 Should Runners Stop Running With Achilles Tendinopathy?
15:04 Stage 1: Isometric Loading (Exact Prescription)
16:59 Is This Too Much Volume? Patient Compliance Discussion
18:24 Stage 2: Functional Strength + Reduced Isometrics
19:24 Weekly Schedule Breakdown (Stage 2)
23:51 Stage 3: Heavy Slow Resistance Progression
27:19 Stage 4: Plyometrics + Return to Running
28:01 Critique: Are Plyometrics Dosed Well Enough?
29:46 Return-to-Run Progression (Distances & Speeds)
31:23 Final Weekly Program Structure
31:25 Results: Did Progressive Loading Work?
31:34 VISA-A Improvements at 6 and 12 Months
32:12 Tendon Structure Changes on Ultrasound
33:36 How Long Does Each Rehab Phase Actually Take?
46:04 Achilles Tendon Exercise Progressions (EASY to HARD)

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