Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon which causes pain debilitation. The Achilles tendon is located in the back of the lower leg and connects the leg muscles to the foot. The Achilles tendon allows us to walk by making it possible to rise up on the toes. When achilles tendonitis occurs, walking is almost impossible.

Those most at risk of developing achilles tendonitis are people who are participate in such sports as basketball, football, running, tennis and dancing. This is because achilles tendonitis is caused by sudden starts and stops of movement or jumping up and down repeatedly. If you change your activity level suddenly, you may also be at risk. Other risk factors include improper or ill-fitting footwear and training on poor surfaces.

Heal Achilles Tendonitis Inflammation

One single stressor may cause achilles tendonitis or it may be caused by small stressors that are repeated over time. Small stressors may cause small tears in the Achilles tendon until, one day, achilles tendonitis may develop.

If you are just starting a new exercise program or if you exercise quite infrequently, you are more at risk for achilles tendonitis because the inactivity has caused the tendons to become inflexible. Proper stretching after warming up for at least five minutes and then after cool down is important in order to prevent achilles tendonitis, especially for those new to exercise or those who exercise infrequently. You should also not exercise too much at one time if you are new to exercise. Start slowly and gradually increase activity over several weeks.

Some women who change shoes to lower-heeled running shoes for exercise may develop achilles tendonitis if they wear high-heeled shoes normally This is because the leg muscles and tendon gets used to the shorter position and when they put on the lower shoes, the Achilles tendon stretches further than it is used to and this causes inflammation. If you wear high-heels regularly, it is important to stretch the Achilles tendon both morning and night so that the tendon does not shorten.
 

Get Rid of Tendonitis of the Achilles Tendon for Good

Another possible cause of achilles tendonitis is running on hills, especially if you are used to running on flat surfaces. In addition, suddenly increasing training speed or length can cause this problem.

Often, the symptoms of achilles tendonitis start slowly and progressively get worse with increased activity. Rupture of the Achilles tendon may occur if stress is placed on- it repeatedly or continuously. When a rupture occurs, walking is difficult, if not impossible and causes extreme pain. Another symptom of achilles tendonitis is a firm knot that forms in the back of the lower leg and a feeling of fullness in that area.

Achilles tendonitis is aggravated by not stopping activity when the first signs of achilles tendonitis occur. It is important to pay attention to the first signs of achilles tendonitis so that you can rest the area and allow it to heel

Another contributing factor to the worsening of achilles tendonitis is wearing shoes that absorb heel shock excessively. These types of shoes cause the heel to sink further down into the shoe causing increased stretching of the Achilles tendon. You should switch shoes to ones without extra cushioning of the heel.

When calves and hamstring muscles are very tight, achilles tendonitis may get worse as well. It is important to gently stretch these muscles so that they are not excessively tight. Too much stretching of the back of the legs may make matters worse, however, in cases of acute achilles tendonitis.

Treatment for achilles tendonitis includes reducing activity, especially hill work and speed work; icing the area after running; avoiding stretching excessively; and avoiding walking barefoot or with very low-heeled shoes.

Stretches to avoid when treating achilles tendonitis include the stair stretch, and the incline stretch. It is also not a good idea to place a towel around the foot and straighten the foot to stretch. The only stretch to use when you have achilles tendonitis is the wall stretch. This should be done very gently and without bouncing.

If you feel the first pains of achilles tendonitis, stop what you are doing, rest the foot and avoid activity that may make the problem worse. If you keep working through the pain and think you can tough it out, you may develop a rupture and it will be almost impossible to walk at all. If you take the time to rest and let yourself heel, you can avoid the pain and immobility of chronic achilles tendonitis.

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