The Achilles Tendon connects two calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the back of the heel and is very important for running as it is an energy absorbing and energy releasing structure that works every time that your foot lands on the floor then helps (in combination with the calf muscle) to move you during the push off phase of a stride. The tendon can be overused due to its function as it is used during walking and running therefore is a very important structure.
The tendon takes time to recover as it has a poor blood supply so vital nutrients to help repair are not brought to where required as quickly as possible.
Some of the symptoms that can be experienced are:
· Pain during and after running around the lower limb.
· Pain close to the heel which is sharp and on a specific area
· Thickening of the tendon when compared to the uninjured leg
Tight leg muscles can contribute to Achilles Tendinopathy as these can put extra strain on the tendon as the lower limb can’t function as it should, which over time, can lead to an overuse injury and possibly other leg muscles compensating for the affected tendon.
Achilles Tendinopathy can be caused by several factors which are detailed in the Achilles Tendinopathy document which can be found here on the Blog Downloads page.
Sports Massage & Soft Tissue Therapy can help the affected muscles (inc lower limb muscles) by using massage to help reduce tension, calm any inflammation and pain that is felt. I also include specific techniques such as Muscle Energy Technique (MET) to help restore the calf muscles to their normal length and function as quickly as possible. Home care advice can also be given as to how the injury can be further rehabilitated and prevented in the future.
If you have experienced any soreness during running or post run soreness, pain or injury then please contact me for further information.
Below are screen prints detailing Achilles Tendinopathy and how to help recover from the injury. Downloadable PDF documents can be found here.
The information contained within this post is solely for general information only. If you do pick up an injury (including 'tightness' 'irritation' or 'niggle') that you’re worried about then the sooner it’s treated the better.
Please contact me using one of the methods below if you would like to discuss how I can help you move with ease.
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