Cold Laser Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy in Adelaide

Photobiomodulation is one option that may be considered for Achilles tendon pain, alongside assessment, load management and exercise guidance where clinically appropriate.

Achilles tendinopathy can affect running, sport, stairs, long shifts on your feet and first steps after rest. Research suggests photobiomodulation may help some people with Achilles tendon pain when used as part of a broader management plan. Individual responses vary.

Book a Consultation
Call (08) 8297 5277

Suitability is discussed before care begins. Individual responses vary.

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park
Initial consultation: $99
Standard consultation: $120
No lock-in plans
The decision is always yours

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
Private-pay cold laser service
Open Monday to Saturday
Assessment before suitability

Does this sound familiar?

Achilles tendon pain can show up differently depending on your sport, footwear, training load, work surfaces and daily routine.

Running is limitedAchilles stiffness or pain that appears during running or feels worse after rest.

Weekend sport flares itTendon pain after tennis, football, basketball, gym work or hills.

Work keeps you on your feetPain that builds during a shift, especially with stairs, hard floors or boots.

Stiffness keeps returningThe tendon feels thick, tender or stiff, even after you reduce activity for a while.

Tendon pain can have different causes. A consultation is used to assess whether this approach is suitable for you. Individual responses vary.

Quick answers before you book

$99 initial consultation
$120 standard consultation
Private pay
No lock-in plans
Progress reviewed regularly

If these patterns sound familiar, an assessment can help clarify whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for your presentation.

What happens at your first visit

You explain the problem

Your visit starts with a conversation about your tendon symptoms, activity level, footwear, work demands, training history and health history.

Suitability is assessed

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) assesses the Achilles region and discusses whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for your presentation.

Your options are explained

You are told what is being considered, what the limits are, and what other options may be worth discussing.

You decide

No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours. Any care is discussed after assessment and reviewed regularly.

All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.

The aim is to make the next step clear: what may be contributing to your Achilles pain, whether photobiomodulation may be suitable, and what other management options may be worth considering.

Individual responses vary. Not all presentations are suitable for photobiomodulation.

Book an Achilles tendinopathy consultation

Discuss whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate for your Achilles tendon pain presentation.

$99

Initial consultation, assessment and care where clinically appropriate

Book a Consultation

528 Marion RoadNo lock-in plansPrivate pay

Booking a consultation does not mean treatment is suitable or required. Suitability is discussed after assessment. Individual responses vary.

How photobiomodulation may help

Photobiomodulation uses selected wavelengths of light applied around the affected tendon region. For Achilles tendinopathy, published research suggests it may help some people with pain and function when combined with exercise or load-management advice.

Multi Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO cold laser therapy handheld device with protective eyewear — The MR5 ACTIV PRO photobiomodulation device used at Adelaide Cold Laser.

Achilles tendinopathy often relates to repeated load through the tendon and calf complex. Symptoms may be influenced by training changes, hills, footwear, work surfaces, calf capacity, recovery, general health factors and previous tendon history. Your plan should account for those contributors rather than treating the tendon as an isolated spot.

This section summarises general research and clinical reasoning. It does not guarantee a result or replace individual assessment. Individual responses vary.

Evidence snapshot

Research on Achilles tendinopathy includes randomised trials and systematic reviews. The main practical takeaway is that photobiomodulation may be considered as part of a broader plan, particularly alongside exercise guidance.

Randomised controlled trial

Stergioulas et al., 2008, American Journal of Sports Medicine

This trial studied low-level laser therapy alongside eccentric exercise for recreational athletes with chronic Achilles tendinopathy and reported improved pain and function outcomes in the combined-care group.

Randomised controlled trial

Tumilty et al., 2016, Lasers in Medical Science

This trial investigated photobiomodulation with eccentric exercise for Achilles tendinopathy and contributes to the broader evidence base on tendon pain and exercise.

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Tumilty et al., 2010, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery

This systematic review considered low-level laser treatment of tendinopathy and reported that study parameters and dose appear important when interpreting results.

Research summaries describe study findings, not a promise of individual results. Study protocols do not determine your care plan. Suitability and any ongoing care are discussed after assessment.

When to seek urgent medical advice

Please seek urgent medical advice if Achilles pain follows a sudden injury, includes a pop or snap sensation, sudden loss of push-off strength, major swelling or bruising, fever, spreading redness, numbness, or an inability to bear weight.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are urgent, contact your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice. In an emergency, call 000.

Common questions about Achilles tendinopathy and cold laser therapy

Can I keep exercising with Achilles tendinopathy?

That depends on your presentation. Some people need temporary changes to load, footwear, pace, hills, jumping or recovery. Others can keep modified activity while symptoms are monitored. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) can discuss what may be reasonable for your situation.

Is this the same as an Achilles rupture?

No. Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles rupture are different presentations. Sudden pain, a pop or snap sensation, sudden weakness, major swelling or difficulty bearing weight should be medically assessed promptly.

How many visits will I need?

That is not decided from the website. Your presentation, history, response and goals are reviewed before any ongoing care is discussed. There are no lock-in plans, and the decision is always yours.

Can cold laser therapy be used with exercises?

Research on Achilles tendinopathy often considers photobiomodulation alongside exercise. Depending on your presentation, exercise guidance, footwear, load management, GP input or other management options may be worth discussing.

Is cold laser therapy generally well tolerated?

Photobiomodulation is non-invasive and published Achilles tendinopathy studies commonly report adverse events as uncommon. It is still not suitable for every presentation. Your health history, medications, treatment area and goals should be reviewed before discussing whether it may be appropriate for you.

These answers are general information only. They do not replace assessment or professional advice. Individual responses vary.

Talk through your Achilles pain clearly

If Achilles pain is affecting running, work, sport, stairs or first steps after rest, a consultation can help you understand whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for you.