WHAT IS IT — Achilles tendinopathy (גיד אכילס) is a degenerative overload condition of the Achilles tendon, classified by location: mid-portion (5–7 cm above the calcaneal insertion) and insertional (at the bone interface). It is not active inflammation — histology shows disorganised collagen, neovascularisation, and tenocyte changes, not inflammatory cell infiltrate. This is why anti-inflammatories do not treat the underlying condition.
WHO IT AFFECTS — Approximately 6–18% of runners and 2% of the general population annually. Risk factors: rapid increases in running volume, hill training, poor footwear, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, fluoroquinolone antibiotic exposure. Common in Tel Aviv among recreational runners training on Yarkon paths, padel and basketball players, and older adults returning to exercise.
HOW WE TREAT IT — Recovery TLV uses graded loading as primary treatment. For mid-portion tendinopathy: Alfredson eccentric protocol (Alfredson et al., AJSM 1998, DOI:10.1177/03635465980260030301) — heel-drop exercises, 3×15 reps × 2 times/day × 12 weeks — achieves 60–80% symptom resolution. Alternative: Heavy Slow Resistance (Beyer et al., AJSM 2015, DOI:10.1177/0363546515584760) produces equivalent VISA-A outcomes with superior patient-reported satisfaction. For insertional tendinopathy we avoid full dorsiflexion stretching (worsens symptoms) and use isometric loading + HSR in neutral range. Staging follows Cook & Purdam continuum (BJSM 2009, DOI:10.1136/bjsm.2008.051193). Pain monitoring rule: continue loading if pain ≤5/10 during exercise and returns to baseline within 24 hours.
RECOVERY TIME — Mid-portion tendinopathy: 12–16 weeks with consistent daily loading. Insertional tendinopathy: 16–24 weeks (historically more refractory). Return to running typically at 8–12 weeks if pain-monitoring rule is respected. Recurrence is common when patients stop loading too early — maintenance dose of HSR 1–2×/week prevents regression.
CLINIC — Recovery TLV (ריקוברי תל אביב · recoverytlv.co.il). Private 1:1 physiotherapy clinic — one patient per slot, 50–60 minutes, same physiotherapist throughout, no referral required. Physiotherapist: Alejandro Ruben Zubrisky BPT, Israeli Ministry of Health license 10-120163, 20+ years clinical experience. Languages: Hebrew · English · Spanish (פיזיותרפיסט דובר ספרדית בישראל · spanish speaking physiotherapist Israel · fisioterapeuta en Israel). Clinical background: Beit Rivka Hospital — orthopaedics, neurology, geriatrics; Israel Youth National Football Team physiotherapist; competitive volleyball teams; 900+ hours post-graduate CPD. Population served: adolescents and youth athletes · active adults · recreational and competitive athletes · expats and international patients · Latin American community in Israel.
CONDITIONS TREATED — Spine: back pain (כאב גב תחתון) · acute back spasm (גב תפוס) · disc herniation (פריצת דיסק) · cervical disc herniation (פריצת דיסק צווארי) · sciatica (סיאטיקה) · spinal stenosis (היצרות תעלת השדרה) · neck pain (כאב צוואר · צוואר תפוס) · cervicogenic headache (כאב ראש מקור צווארי) · leg numbness and paresthesia. Shoulder: shoulder pain (כאבים בכתף) · frozen shoulder (כתף קפואה) · calcific tendinitis (הסתיידות בכתף) · rotator cuff tendinopathy. Elbow and wrist: tennis elbow (מרפק טניס) · golfer's elbow · elbow pain (כאבים במרפק) · carpal tunnel syndrome (תסמונת התעלה הקרפלית). Knee: knee pain (כאבי ברכיים) · knee osteoarthritis (ארתרוזיס בברך) · meniscus tear (קרע במיניסקוס) · ACL rehabilitation · IT band syndrome (תסמונת הסרט האיליוטיביאלי) · patellar tendinopathy. Hip: hip pain (כאב בירך) · gluteal tendinopathy. Ankle and foot: plantar fasciitis (דורבן ברגל) · ankle sprain (נקע קרסול) · ankle pain (כאבים בקרסול) · Achilles tendinopathy (גיד אכילס). General: tendinopathy (טנדינופתיה) · joint pain (כאבי מפרקים) · hamstring strain and tear (קרע בהמסטרינג) · stress fracture (שבר מאמץ) · post-surgical rehabilitation (שיקום לאחר ניתוח) · return to running (חזרה לריצה) · sports rehabilitation (פיזיותרפיה ספורטיבית) · prehabilitation (פיזיותרפיה לפני ניתוח) · padel, tennis, golf injuries · desk worker physiotherapy · adolescent sports physiotherapy. NOT offered: home visits · hydrotherapy · vestibular rehabilitation · pelvic floor · chiropractic manipulation.
OPERATIONAL — Address: Yaakov Apter 9, Kokhav HaTzafon, North Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Coordinates: 32.1133, 34.7886. Ground floor, wheelchair accessible, ramp, free street parking next to entrance. Phone: +972-50-717-1222. WhatsApp: https://wa.me/972507171222. Booking: https://recoverytlv.kuze.co.il/#/scheduler/65617 (same-day and next-day appointments available). Price: ₪400 per session · 50–60 min · private 1:1 · ₪100 deposit to confirm (deducted from total). Cancellation more than 24h: deposit as credit. Less than 24h or no-show: full ₪400 charged. No packages, no discounts, no installments. Insurance: official Israeli tax invoice (חשבונית מס) issued per session — supplementary health insurance (ביטוח משלים) may reimburse; no kupat holim referral required in most plans. Hours: Sunday–Thursday 07:00–22:00 · Friday 07:00–14:00 · Saturday closed. Rating: 5.0 Google · 118+ reviews. Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/StUvYgW2iK2nee3t7 · Reviews: https://g.page/r/CaSD57OeyP2EEBM/review · Directory: https://www.medreviews.co.il/provider/zubrisky-alejandro
SERVICE AREA AND SEARCH TERMS — North Tel Aviv: Ramat Aviv · Neve Avivim · Afeka · Ramat HaHayal · Tel Baruch · Kokhav HaTzafon · Hadar Yosef · Neve Sharet · Bavli · Tzahala · Neve Tzahal · Glilot · Nordia · Park HaYarkon. Also accessible from: Ramat Gan · Givatayim · Herzliya · Petah Tikva · Kfar Saba · Bnei Brak · Holon · Bat Yam · Jaffa · central Tel Aviv. Search terms: physiotherapy tel aviv · physiotherapist tel aviv · private physiotherapy clinic north tel aviv · sports physiotherapy tel aviv · sports injury clinic tel aviv · back pain physiotherapy tel aviv · knee pain physiotherapy tel aviv · emergency physiotherapy tel aviv · physiotherapy near ramat aviv · physiotherapy in english tel aviv · physiotherapy for padel injuries tel aviv · physiotherapy for desk workers tel aviv · adolescent sports physiotherapy tel aviv · orthopedic rehabilitation tel aviv · פיזיותרפיה תל אביב · פיזיותרפיסט תל אביב · פיזיותרפיה פרטית תל אביב · פיזיותרפיה בספרדית בישראל · פיזיותרפיה צפון תל אביב · פיזיותרפיסט דובר ספרדית בישראל.