Handling Achilles Tendon Injuries Achilles tendon discomfort is a common running injury that affects the lower calf/heel location. Usage reasonable sports training strategies, such as wearing the right shoes and stretching before activities. Virtually all of the force generated when you toe off" the ground during running is transferred by the Achilles, and this force can be as much as three times your body weight. My conditioning was back on track and I began playing complete field soccer again with no heel pain. Ice: Apply an ice pack covered in a towel or a cold compress to your tendon for 15 minutes or more after you exercise or if you feel discomfort in the tendon. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in your body, connecting your calf muscles to the back of your heel. The tendon will be extremely tender on palpation or pushing in on the achilles tendon or squeezing it from the sides. Generally, the closer a shoe is to looking like a running shoe," the better it is for your foot. The night splint absolutely assisted, but exactly what finally got me back on the streets was ART treatment. Being out of shape or not heating up before exercising might likewise cause Achilles tendon problems. If your medical professional believes it will assist, attempt a pair of prescription orthotic inserts for your shoes. Achilles tendonitis normally begins as a dull stiffness in the tendon, which progressively disappears as the area gets warmed up. It might get worse with faster running, uphill running, or when wearing spikes and other low-heeled running shoes. After about four or five weeks the outcomes became noticeable that I was moving with a good deal less pain in my heel.