Runners! Is Achilles Tendinitis Limiting Your Performance?

                        

Runners! Runners! Runners!




Achilles tendinitis is a condition that has not only plagued runners but many other athletes. Often this may sound worse than it is, so let me explain. The large tendon in the back of the ankle (your Achilles) can become irritated and inflamed. Achilles tendinitis is common with many recreational athletes and overuse of the Achilles tendon can cause damaging inflammation leading to pain and swelling in the ankle. This is onset by overuse of calf muscles, reduced flexibility and over pronation of the feet. Other factors attributing to your Achilles tendinitis are recent changes in footwear, and changes in exercise training schedules. Many times long distance runners will have symptoms of Achilles tendinitis after increasing mileage or hill training. Age plays a factor in this as well, as we get older tendons, like other tissues in the body, become less flexible, more rigid, and more susceptible to injury.

Complaints associated with Achilles tendinitis is pain behind the heel. About a finger width above the heel is known as the “watershed zone”, the lack of blood supply in this area makes it particularly susceptible to injuries. Patients usually experience the most pain after periods of inactivity, first walking in the morning and getting up after sitting for long periods of time typically are the worst.
Patients can experience pain during activities like running or jumping as well, pain during exercise can be the worst when pushing off or jumping. If you suffer from chronic Achilles tendinitis or you need a deeper evaluation of the issue an MRI is needed to evaluate a patient for tears within the tendon and an X-ray will provide you with information if you think you may have fractured the bone as well. Fortunately most form of tendinitis can be greatly benefited through manual therapy. Neurosomatic therapy identifies imbalances in the body that may be causing this issue such as a pronation in the foot, a lower limb length discrepancy or hypertonicity in the surrounding muscles. Call today to schedule your Initial visit!

www.PainfreeSRQ.com



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