How to Treat and Prevent Achilles Tendinitis







Achilles tendinitis or regular achilles pains are injuries many runners come across in their running career. Reason enough to learn more about them so you know what to look out for !


Your achilles connects your calf muscles with your heel bone. When your achilles has to work too hard it starts to hurt. It tightens. It can feel like it is burning. This is what they call achilles tendinitis or a achilles tendon injury.


In this section I'll cover the following questions :

  • What causes achilles tendinitis ?

  • How can you prevent achilles tendinitis ?

  • How do you treat achilles tendinitis ?

  • When do you go to the doctor ?



What causes achilles tendinitis ?



Achilles tendinitis is caused by stress on the achilles. More stress than the achilles can take. This typically happens when :

  • You increase your mileage too much
    when you increase your mileage more than is good for you, your body, including your achilles, will have to work too hard. Learn more about increasing mileage safely.

  • You do too much speedwork in your running training.
    Speedwork is fun. But when you do too much you will put too much stress on your body.

  • You are doing more hill work than is good for you.
    I used to live in The Netherlands, easily one of the flattest countries in the world, so not much chance for me to do too much hill work there. But on holidays, like last time I went to Tuscany, I take my chance to run in the hills. After a longer hilly run my achilles is the first one to tell me it is time for a rest day !

  • You overpronate
    Don't know what pronation is ? Then have a good look at the running shoes section. When you overpronate your arch moves too far inward when your foot lands on the ground. This can cause an achilles tendon injury like achilles tendinitis.


    How can you prevent Achilles tendinitis ?



    Well, just look at the causes above and eliminate them !

    • Follow a safe and sound running program

    • Prevent excessive hill work

    • Check your shoes



    But then we forget an important extra possibility to prevent achilles tendinitis :

    Making your legs stronger through stretching and strengthening.

    There are some exercises you can do. Good exercises are :

    Heel drops to make your achilles stronger :
    Stand on a curb with the front of your feet. Then let your heels drop. Hold for a while (count slowly to five). And then lift again. Repeat.

    Heel lifts to make your calves stronger :
    Stand on the floor. Then lift your heels. Slowly count to five and drop your heels again. Repeat.


    How do you treat achilles tendinitis ?



    How to treat achilles tendinitis?
    There are a few different ways to do that:

  • (Self-)Massage

  • Massaging your achilles can help to make your achilles a bit more flexible.

  • Ice

  • Putting ice on your achilles for 15 minutes will help against the inflammation.

  • Use one of these specialized achilles tendon injury products:


  • HTP Heel Seats
    htp heel seats

    The HTP Heel Seats work to quickly relieve pain by applying acupressure directly beneath the pain hot spots. This speeds up recovery and reliefs you of the pain.

    click here for more information


    Gel Heel Seats
    gel heel seats

    HTP Gel Heel Seats offer a softer and enveloping cushion, without sacrificing any of the heel seats proven and pain relieving qualities.

    click here for more information


    Silipos Achilles Heel Sleeve
    silipos achilles heel sleeve each get amazing relief maladies intcat09 ionline support brace tendonitis foot pain problems sore heels aching he

    The Silipos Achilles Heel Sleeve provides amazing relief from heel maladies like an achilles tendon injury or other heel pain issues you are dealing with.

    click here for more information

    Cho-pat Achilles Tendon Strap
    chopat achilles tendon strap each slip relief tendonitis pain heel

    The Cho-pat Achilles Tendon Strap provides relief and support.

    click here for more information

    Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Pro Achilles Tendon Support
    bauerfeind achillotrain pro achilles tendon support each relieve pain swelling lightweight breathable

    Relieve pain and swelling with the lightweight, breathable Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Pro Achilles Tendon Support

    click here for more information


    When do you go to the doctor?



    When you get worse, go see a doctor. Beginning achilles pains are not a reason necessarily to immediately go to the doctor. But if your self-treatment and some of the excellent products above do not help, then you should consider getting medical treatment.




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    Running Injuries
    Running Injury Prevention
    Foot Injuries: Foot Pain | Black Toenail | Stress Fractures | Posterior Tibial Tendonitis |
    Heel Injuries: Heel Pain | Achilles Tendinitis | Heel Spur / Plantar Fasciitis |
    Knee Injuries: Knee Pain | Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB) |
    Leg Injuries: Leg / Calf Cramps | Shin Splints | Hamstring Injury | Hip Pain
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