Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon is a cord that connects the heel to the calf muscle. If either a short calf muscle or a heel that is too far away from the calf muscle pulls too much on the Achilles tendon, you'll feel a lot of pain. Dr. Murray Weisenfeld, in his book The Runner's Repair Manual, suggests using your thumb and forefinger to pinch along the Achilles tendon, starting at the heel and working up the back of your leg to the calf. If you feel swelling and/or pain, you have Achilles Tendinitis.

Runners with Achilles Tendinitis need extra lift in the back of the shoe. Start with 1/4 inch heel lifts and work up to more thickness if necessary. Also, be sure your shoes are flexible at the ball of the foot.

Before and after you run, do a lot of wall pushups to stretch your calves. Do knee presses and foot on chair or table to stretch your hamstrings. Do squats to stretch your Achilles tendons. When you first get Achilles Tendinitis, take a few days off from running until the pain subsides.

Go to http://www.achillestendon.com/default.asp for detailed information about Achilles tendonitis. Another good link is http://www.healthopedia.com/tendinitis/

Here is a video on treatment of Achilles Tendinitis. Click the video after it has finished to go to youtube for links to other videos about Achilles Tendinitis.

The information on this site is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute medical or physical therapy advice. For medical advice, consult a physician. For physical therapy advice, consult a physical therapist.