Case Study: Red Light Therapy for Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy in a Collegiate Football Athlete

Chronic Achilles tendinopathy can be one of the most frustrating conditions athletic trainers encounter, especially when athletes have already exhausted multiple treatment options. This case study highlights how incorporating red light therapy into a comprehensive rehabilitation program helped a collegiate football player return to unrestricted play and remain symptom-free.

Patient History

A 21-year-old collegiate football player presented with a 3 to 4-year history of chronic Achilles tendon pain. Throughout his collegiate career, he had received treatment for the condition at multiple football programs. He did not recall a specific mechanism of injury but consistently experienced pain during sprinting and jumping activities. Symptoms were most severe in the morning and typically increased 60 to 90 minutes into football practice.  

Previous Interventions

Over several years, the athlete had attempted numerous treatment approaches, including: 

• Pain medications 
• NSAIDs 
• Oral steroid therapy 
• Rest and activity modification 
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) 
• Cupping 
• Eccentric loading exercises 
• Stretching programs 
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection 
• Chiropractic care 
• Footwear modifications 

Despite these interventions, pain frequently increased to 6/10 during football activities and often prevented him from completing workouts. The athlete also expressed significant frustration due to the lack of lasting improvement. 

Outcomes

Within 3 to 4 weeks, the athlete's peak pain levels decreased from approximately 6/10 to 2 to 3/10. This improvement allowed him to return to full football participation without restrictions.

As symptoms continued to improve, BFR training was discontinued and formal rehabilitation sessions were gradually reduced. However, the athlete elected to continue daily red light therapy due to the perceived benefits for pain control and inflammation management.

After five months of consistent treatment, including ongoing red light therapy, the athlete reported being completely pain-free and was competing successfully at the NCAA FBS level.  

Clinical Discussion

This case demonstrates the value of a comprehensive approach when treating chronic Achilles tendinopathy, particularly in athletes who have not responded to traditional interventions. Initially, the athlete was skeptical due to the lack of success with previous treatment strategies. However, the combination of daily red light therapy, BFR training, progressive loading, and manual therapy appeared to create a meaningful change in his condition.

From an athletic training perspective, several factors likely contributed to the positive outcome:

• Red light therapy helped manage pain and inflammation, allowing the athlete to tolerate training and rehabilitation more effectively.
• Progressive loading and strengthening addressed the tendon's ability to withstand athletic demands.
• BFR training provided an additional method for improving tissue adaptation while managing load.
• Consistent soft tissue and mobility work supported overall movement quality and function. 

While no single intervention can be credited as the sole reason for recovery, the integrated rehabilitation strategy improved the athlete's ability to train, recover, and progressively increase tendon capacity.

Key Takeaways for Athletic Trainers

Athletes with chronic Achilles tendinopathy often require more than a single treatment modality. This case highlights how combining evidence-informed rehabilitation principles with emerging modalities such as red light therapy may help improve outcomes in difficult, long-standing cases.

For athletic trainers working with high-demand athletes, incorporating tools such as the Fringe Red Light Wrap alongside progressive loading, mobility work, and appropriate strength training may help support pain management and recovery while maintaining participation in sport.

This is the seventh in a series of articles covering clinical applications of red light therapy. The full series has been published; view all the articles with the links below: 

1. Red Light Therapy in Your Clinic: What is RLT?
2. Red Light Therapy Tools to Use in Clinical Settings
3. Practical Application of Red Light Therapy in Your Clinic
4. The Financial Role of Red Light Therapy in Your Clinic
5. Stacking Red Light Therapy with Other Modalities
6. Case Study: Red Light Therapy for Neuropathy
7. Case Study: Red Light Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis
8. Case Study: Red Light Therapy for a Post-Operative Elbow Patient

Keep and eye on our article homepage for more series like this one!

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.