Acupuncture for Dancer's Tendinitis (FHL Tendinopathy)
Deep ankle pain behind the inner heel is common in dancers —
and it has a name, a cause, and a clear path to recovery.
Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendinopathy, often called dancer's tendinitis, causes deep, aching pain behind the inner ankle bone, frequently triggered by demi-pointe, relevé, or repeated pointe work.
It's one of the most common overuse injuries we see in dancers, though it also shows up in anyone who spends significant time pushing off the big toe under load.
Why It Happens
The FHL tendon runs behind the inner ankle and controls movement of the big toe — it's under constant tension every time you rise onto the ball of the foot or point.
Repetitive demand without adequate strength or mobility in the surrounding ankle and foot leads to irritation and, over time, thickening of the tendon sheath.
How We Treat It
As a practice with roots in dance medicine, we understand the specific demands that pointe and relevé work place on this tendon.
We use acupuncture and dry needling along the tendon sheath and deep calf to reduce irritation, then treat up the kinetic chain — ankle, knee, and hip mobility, plus the fascial planes running through the lower leg — to address the mechanics that protect the tendon going forward.
Alongside the structural work, we assess for underlying imbalances — in circulation, inflammation, nervous system regulation, and recovery capacity — that may be slowing the healing response or making the tissue more vulnerable to injury in the first place.
→ Learn more about our Dance Medicine approach to performer-specific care
What to Expect
Similar to other tendinopathies — weekly visits for 6–8 weeks for most cases, longer for chronic presentations, paired with a home program addressing ankle and foot strength.
→ Part of Revive + Root's Tendinitis & Overuse Injuries care
→ Learn about Revive + Root's approach to orthopedic care
→ Read: Enhancing Performance — Acupuncture for Dancers and Athletes