Achilles tendinitis, or inflammation of the Achilles tendon, may be indicated by pain on the back of your heel. There are many different therapies available, from natural cures to surgery, for overuse.
About 2% of people have tendinopathy, often known as achilles tendinitis, a potentially serious ailment. It may be 42% prevalent among populations that are more active. In your heels, achilles tendon pain can be quite painful.
Any exercise that exerts sudden pressure on the heels, especially while leaping or skipping, can tear your Achilles tendon. The damage might be slight or severe, yet it is typically simple to fix.
What Is The Achilles Tendon?
The tendon that joins your calf muscles to your heels is called the Achilles tendon. The band of fibrous collagen that aids in securing the muscles to the bone is referred to as a tendon. The calcaneal tendon is another name for the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendonitis, also known as tendinitis of the heel, is an injury to the Achilles tendon.
Achilles tendon injuries are fairly frequent and more prone to occur while you are engaging in specific physical activities or carrying out your regular tasks. The discomfort or stiffness in the region around the tendon is often caused by the damage, which can range in severity from mild to moderate.
Your tendon may be partly ripped or totally ruptured if you experience severe and intolerable pain.
Causes
Overusing the Achilles tendon during activity or progressive wear and tear as you age are two common causes of Achilles tendonitis. Additionally, arthritis might contribute to it, particularly in middle-aged and older persons.
These are some additional prevalent causes of Achilles tendinitis:
- repetitive actions that cause the calf muscles to become sore
- wearing high heels frequently or for a long time
- wearing out-of-date or uncomfortable shoes
- abruptly upping your physical activity without giving your body time to acclimate
- Running too far, too hard, or too frequently uphill
- playing a sport that requires fast pauses and direction adjustments, like tennis.
Symptoms
When you walk or run, the back of your heel will hurt and swell, which is the major sign of Achilles tendinitis. When you flex your foot, you could also have tight calf muscles and a restricted range of motion.
Additional typical signs of Achilles tendonitis include:
- Achilles tendon thickening, inability to stand on your toes
- warmth along the tendon or in the area of the heel
- waking up with stiffness and pain in your Achilles tendon
- the inability to fully extend your foot
- swelling or soreness in the back of your heel
- when you’re walking or jogging, or the day after you exercise, that soreness or swelling gets greater.
- discomfort when you touch or move your heel or the area behind your leg.
Home Remedies
Use A Night Brace While Sleeping
As a result, your tendon won’t shorten and stiffen while you’re sleeping. This will allow the Achilles tendon to relax as much as possible while you are sleeping, resulting in reduced discomfort and stiffness in your calf and heel throughout the day.Wear Protective Footwear
We advise you to wear sports footwear that cushions the heel and supports the arch of the afflicted foot. The Achilles tendon has a chance to recover thanks to this shoe. Another nice choice is silicone heel pads since they relieve stress on the Achilles tendon. These are some methods for treating Achilles discomfort, not home cures per se.Omega-3
There are several advantages of omega-3 fatty acids for your health. Their anti-inflammatory properties aid in reducing swelling and inflammation and hasten healing.
By eating foods like fatty fish, flaxseed, walnuts, and chia seeds or by taking supplementary supplements, you may improve your consumption of this vitamin. Before taking more omega-3 pills, speak with a doctor. Include omega-3 fatty acids in your regular diet.
Bone Broth
Chondroitin and glucosamine, which are found in bone broth, can hasten the healing process of your tendon.
Drink 8 ounces, or roughly one glass, of freshly made bone broth. One serving of bone broth every day will hasten your recovery.
Ginger
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are found in ginger. As a result, it works well to treat Achilles tendonitis.
To a cup of water, add 2 inches of ginger. In a saucepan, bring it to a boil. After 5 minutes of simmering, strain. Before sipping, let the ginger tea cool down a little.
Myrrh Oil
Myrrh oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. One of the greatest essential oils for treating symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury is this one.
One teaspoon of coconut oil should include six drops of myrrh oil. Mix thoroughly, then gently massage it into the troubled muscle. Before washing it off, give it at least 30 minutes to work on the afflicted region.
Peppermint Oil
Menthol, an ingredient in peppermint oil, has anti-inflammatory effects. These characteristics aid in reducing edema and inflammation surrounding the torn tendon.
Combine a teaspoon of any carrier oil with six drops of peppermint oil. For a few minutes, gently massage this mixture into the injured tendon. Before washing it off, let it sit on for at least 30 minutes. The mixture may also be left on all night.
Massage
Stretching and massaging the injured tendon speed up its recovery. The torn Achilles tendon is put under less stress thanks to deep friction massage, which also improves tissue flexibility and lowers discomfort and inflammation.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Rest
Your doctor will likely advise you to rest the injured tendon for a few weeks until the symptoms go away as one of the initial steps in treating an Achilles tendon injury. Resting helps the injured tendon recover more quickly. Leg elevation might be used while you’re sleeping to lessen discomfort.Turmeric
Curcumin is a very advantageous substance found in turmeric. The therapeutic qualities of curcumin can aid in hastening the recovery of the torn tendon.
To a glass of boiling milk, stir one teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix thoroughly, and consume each day.
Vitamins
It has been shown that a vitamin D shortage makes musculoskeletal discomfort worse. It has been demonstrated that vitamin C supplements can hasten the recovery of a damaged Achilles tendon. According to these two studies, eating foods high in these vitamins is a wonderful method to heal from Achilles tendonitis more quickly. Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, cheese, and egg yolk are foods high in vitamins C and D.Castor Oil
Ricinoleic acid, a component of castor oil, reduces swelling, discomfort, and inflammation. The Achilles tendon may recover faster as a result of this.
Apply a spoonful of castor oil to the region that needs treatment. For around 20 minutes, leave it on. Additionally, you may apply a hot compress on it to make it work better as a pack.
Ice Pack
An ice pack applied topically numbs the injured region. Additionally, it lessens discomfort and swelling that may be brought on by Achilles tendonitis
Apply an ice pack to the hurt region. After a few seconds, leave it on and then remove it. Do this two or three times.
Bottom Line
The band of collagen known as the Achilles tendon binds the heels to the calf muscles. Achilles tendonitis is a condition that affects this region and can cause mild to severe discomfort above the heel as well as swelling, soreness, stiffness, and bruising. Use natural therapies like essential oils, massage, cold packs, castor oil, omega-3 supplements, and bone broth to relieve minor Achilles tendon discomfort.
For a more serious injury, you should see your doctor, who could recommend a heel lift, painkillers, and certain exercises as possible treatments.
