Managing Achilles Tendon Injuries Achilles tendon discomfort is a common running injury that impacts the lower calf/heel location. Usage practical sports training strategies, such as wearing the right shoes and extending prior to activities. Virtually all of the force produced when you toe off" the ground throughout running is sent by the Achilles, and this force can be as much as 3 times your body weight. My conditioning was back on track and I started playing full field soccer once more without any heel discomfort. Ice: Use an ice pack covered in a towel or a cold compress to your tendon for 15 minutes or more after you work out or if you feel pain in the tendon. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and greatest tendon in your body, linking your calf muscles to the back of your heel. The tendon will be very tender on palpation or pushing in on the achilles tendon or squeezing it from the sides. Typically, the closer a shoe is to feeling and look like a running shoe," the better it is for your foot. The night splint definitely assisted, however what finally got me back on the streets was ART treatment. Running out shape or not heating up prior to exercising might likewise cause Achilles tendon issues. Try a pair of prescription orthotic inserts for your shoes if your physician thinks it will assist. Achilles tendonitis typically begins as a dull stiffness in the tendon, which progressively disappears as the area gets heated up. It might get worse with faster running, uphill running, or when using spikes and other low-heeled running shoes. After about 4 or 5 weeks the results ended up being visible that I was moving with a lot less discomfort in my heel.