If you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis, you are definitely not alone. Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis are the two most common causes of pain in the heel. Athletes and active individuals, in particular, find themselves developing pain in the heel from Achilles tendonitis, but it is possible to develop the condition even if you are not an athlete. Fortunately, chiropractic and associated therapies can do a lot to relieve your heel pain. With a combination of chiropractic care and Active Release therapy, you can get back on your feet and back to doing what you love as soon as possible.
How is Heel Pain Connected to the Achilles Tendon?
Most people know how to point out the Achilles tendon. It is the large, thick tendon that travels up from the base of the heel and into the calf muscle. In fact, it connects the calf muscle and heel. It allows your body to transfer power from the calf muscle to the feet so that you can walk, run and jump. The Achilles tendon is strong and durable, but it is possible to overwork it and cause enough repetitive strain to develop tendonitis in the tendon.
Causes of Pain in the Achilles Tendon
There are several stages to the process of developing pain in the Achilles tendon. These include:
Micro-tears
Heavy use of the tendon can lead to small tears. The micro-tears that develop in the Achilles tendon are known as tendinosis. They may not be noticeable at first and you may not feel much pain or any pain at all. However, over time and with increased tearing, the condition can become chronic.
Tendonitis
When you start to feel pain in your Achilles tendon that keeps occurring or lasts for a few days, you are likely experiencing tendonitis. The pain and inflammation of tendonitis need to be treated to avoid developing a chronic condition.
Tendinosis
If the pain becomes chronic—meaning it never or rarely goes away—then you have developed tendinosis. Instead of being inflamed, tendinosis is characterized by a lack of inflammation and the development of scar tissue. The scar tissue makes the tendon stiff and is usually quite painful. The stiffness of the tendon makes it more prone to tearing.
Rupture
If the tendinosis is not treated properly the tendon can eventually tear. A torn tendon is referred to as a rupture and usually requires surgery.
How is Achilles Tendonitis Treated?
When you start to feel constant pain in your Achilles tendon it is time to go see your chiropractor. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible to avoid developing more advanced issues like tendinosis or even a ruptured tendon.
Your chiropractor will recommend several different types of treatment, including:
Active Release Therapy (ART)
ART is extremely effective for breaking up scar tissue and improving issues with soft tissues. Treatment can do a lot to improve the health of your tendon and the surrounding tissues to avoid further complications. It will also do a lot to help relieve the pain you are experiencing.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Many times, the issues with your Achilles tendon are the result of misalignment in other parts of your body. When your joints are misaligned it tends to put extra stress on your feet and Achilles tendons. To minimize the stress on your joints, your chiropractor will adjust your spine and other joints to ensure proper alignment.
Get Help for Your Achilles Tendonitis
If you are experiencing heel pain, please get in touch with our chiropractic team. We can help to alleviate your pain and help you avoid experiencing further problems with your Achilles tendon.
This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiropractors for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiropractors.