By Jonathan Wan

Ever get that pain in the back of your ankle? Wake up stiff behind the foot right over the ankle? Does running prolonged periods of time just light you up at the back of your foot? Then you may very well be suffering from Achilles Tendonitis.

What is it?

A tendon is the connection between muscle and bone. In this case, it is where the calf muscle inserts into the back of the heel. During running, your calf muscles constantly are contracting with every step you take. This causes inflammation of that tendon and the surrounding tissue area which leads to pain.

What you can do about it?

When it is acute, make sure you RICE it (rest, ice, compress, elevate) the area. Stretching out the calf muscles and that tendon is especially helpful in reducing some of the adhesions that may form. A heel lift or orthotics may be necessary if anatomical deficiencies are present. As it decreases from the acute stage, toe raises/stretches may be needed to increase strength. Avoidance of up and down hills should be noted until the pain subsides. Breaking down any scar tissue that may have formed is also necessary through methods such as ultrasound, deep tissue breakdown, Active Release Technique.

For more information, please contact Dr. Wan
at 604.232.0112
www.precisionhealth.ca

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