You’ve finally gotten into a groove with your exercise program, and you are feeling great! But you wake up one morning and feel an unusual pain in your lower calf muscle just above your achilles…. what is your achilles, anyway?  The achilles tendon located in the back of the leg that inserts into the heel.  Achilles heel pain, or Achilles Tendonitis symptoms may include a burning or extremely piercing pain in  your achilles when you first wake up, and it may subside as you become more active during the day.

So, what causes Achilles Tendonitis?
Constant hill running, or over-pronation are common causes. Over-pronation occurs in the walking process, when the arch collapses upon weight bearing.  Stress is added on the achilles tendon with each step.

• Other factors may lead to achilles tendonitis:
• Improper shoe selection
• Inadequate stretching prior to engaging in athletics
• A short achilles tendon
• Direct trauma (injury) to the tendon
• Heel bone deformity

How do I treat Achilles Tendonitis?

Athletes should use an orthotic device, heel cup, or heel cradle for extra support. A heel cup or heel cradle elevates the heel to reduce stress and pressure on the achilles tendon. The device should be made with light-weight, shock absorbing materials. An orthotic device can be used to control over-pronation, support the longitudinal arch, and reduce stress on the achilles tendon.

At the first sign of achilles heel pain,  follow these simple tips to help alleviate the pain:

1. Stretch, stretch, stretch! Athletes (particularly runners) should incorporate a thorough stretching program to properly warm-up the muscles.

2. Decrease the distance of your walk or run, apply ice after the activity and avoid any up hill climbs.

3. Update your athletic shoes often and check your current shoes for trouble signs.

Related posts:

1. Tennis Injuries- 4 Common Issues and How to Treat Them.
2. 3 Common Athletic Injuries: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions