Causes of Achilles Tendinitis
Lack of flexibility and overpronation are two of the most common causes of chronic Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis may be caused by a single incident of overstressing the tendon, or it may result from a series of stresses that produce small tears over time (overuse). Other risk factors and causes of Achilles tendinitis include:
- Poor conditioning
- Overuse
- Stressful surfaces
- High-heels
Prevention and Treatment for Achilles Tendinitis
As with all injuries, prevention is your best defense especially with injuries that are as painful and inconvenient as Achilles tendinitis. Options for how to prevent Achilles tendinitis include:
-
Stretching - Stretching properly, starting slowly, and increasing gradually will be critical if you want to avoid Achilles tendinitis. To help maintain flexibility in the ankle joint, begin each day with a series of stretches and be certain to stretch prior to, and after, any exercise or excessive physical activity.
-
Orthotics and Heel Support -Bio-mechanically engineered inserts and heel cups can be placed in your shoes to correct misalignments or bolster the support of your foot and are available without a prescription. The temporary heel padding that these provide reduces the length that the Achilles tendon stretches each time you step, making it more comfortable to go about your daily routine.
-
Proper Footwear - Low-heeled shoes with good arch support and shock absorption are best for the health of your foot. Look into heel wedges and other shoe inserts to make sure that your everyday foot mechanics are operating under ideal conditions.
Treatment options for Achilles tendinitis are focused on relieving suffering and promoting healing. If high heels are worn every day, stretching should be done every morning and night to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.
Immediate Relief
Support
-
Cho-Pat® Achilles Tendon Strap - Helps reduce stress on the tendon to promote healing and relief. It reduces stress on the Achilles tendon by gently lifting the heel, and it can be worn in all shoes or barefoot.
Cushion
-
Tuli’s® Heavy Duty Heel Cups - Absorb shock and prevent unnecessary stretching of the tendon each time you step. This product provides relief by cushioning and elevating the heel bone to take pressure off the Achilles tendon. It absorbs shock and returns impact energy like the system naturally found in your feet and provides maximum protection in athletic shoes and cleats.
-
Tuli's® So Soft® Heel Cups - Exclusively formulated to be lighter, softer and more resilient than other heel cups. It provides the same support and relief as the popular Tuli’s Heavy Duty Gel Heel Cups with the added layer of a soft cloth heel bed for comfort and a low-profile heel backing that makes them the easiest heel cups to place and be worn in almost any shoe.
Long Term Healing
Stretch & Strengthen
-
ProStretch Plus™- Calf and plantar fascia flexibility are critical to Achilles tendon health and healing. This product is proven effective to provide a deep, gradual stretch that increases flexibility. The ProStretch Plus is biomechanically engineered to enable a controlled and targeted stretch.
Massage
-
Type P Pro Stick Massage Roller - This massage stick roller uniquely designed 3-dimensional gears penetrate muscles more effectively than traditional flat massage rollers. The Type P Pro stick massage roller is designed for massaging deep into your muscles rather than rolling just the surface.
-
Peanut Massage Ball - This roller’s peanut-shaped design allows it to get into targeted areas that are difficult to reach, providing a deep tissue massage for those knots that won’t go away and adds a more aggressive myofascial release.
-
Nonagon Foam Roller- The textured 9-sided foam roller design with a solid EVA foam core connects with the fascia with precision and allows for a deeper, stable, and secure roll without lifting your entire body weight.
