Achilles tendonitis can affect anyone; however, athletes and very active people are the most susceptible. The most common symptoms are moderate to severe pain and/or swelling in the heal of your foot. Cases may vary by patient, but even a mild case can be very painful and limit your mobility.
If you have Achilles tendonitis, treatment is usually necessary for these types of sports injuries. This is because if left untreated it can lead to a tear, which can then lead to surgery, missed work, and mounting medical bills.
The Achilles tendon is what connects your calf muscle to your heal bone. It is used in essentially all you do. Every time you stand, jump, walk or run – you are using your Achilles tendon. This is why intense repetitive movement can cause excessive strain and inflammation, leading to Achilles tendonitis.
Achilles Tendonitis Diagnoses
Sometimes medical doctors will order imaging such as X-rays or ultrasounds, but this is rarely warranted. As a part of chiropractic diagnoses, we will simply ask a few questions about the pain and the swelling and have you perform a few tasks in order to judge your range of motion and/or flexibility. Also, with some first-hand contact with the area, we can correctly identify whether it is, in fact, Achilles tendonitis.
Achilles Tendonitis Treatment
While there are a range of treatments, some invasive such as steroid shots, your chiropractor will provide you with far less invasive and more practical remedies. These include:
- Reducing your level of physical activity.
- Regularly icing the affected area after exercise.
- Stretching and strengthening of your calf muscles.
- Light to moderate physical therapy.
If you feel you may be suffering from Achilles tendonitis, call and make an appointment with our Huntington Beach chiropractor to find immediate relief today. Our skilled chiropractors are standing by, ready to diagnose and begin medical treatment right away.
