Runner's health. Achilles tendon.
The Achilles tendon withstands great tension, and you must take care of it to be a long-distance runner… for a long time.
Tendinitis is the common injury of the Achilles tendon
It's a tendon that withstands great tension. It must have optimal elasticity to achieve performance in your run. For this, constant hydration and care are essential if you want to be a long-distance runner for a long time.
Symptoms
Achilles tendinitis is characterized by acute pain in the back of the tendon and usually near the heel.
If you notice "bulges," crepitus (a sensation of walking on snow), or impediments when moving it in flexion and extension, you have tendinitis, and it should be treated by a professional. When the calf and soleus muscles are very tired, the Achilles tendon is forced to bear more load.
Excessive mileage, multi-jump exercises, or improper stretching of the muscles are the most obvious reasons why the Achilles tendon ends up suffering. In addition, the equipment plays a very important role. A shoe that is too "soft" can make the tendon work beyond its capabilities, and high pronation will reveal itself sooner or later, potentially causing problems in the tendon.
When the Achilles tendon is overloaded by tension, it can become inflamed (tendinitis), and if this happens often, the body "protects" it by wrapping it in scar tissue, which is less flexible, preventing optimal tendon function and causing discomfort and acute pain.
If the workload is not reduced and the tendon is not properly treated, it could tear or even rupture.
Prevention and treatment of tendinitis
The first thing to do when noticing these symptoms is to stop running. Applying ice to the area while it is inflamed will help reduce it and thus aid in recovery. If the inflammation is very severe, it may be necessary to take anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Massages in the area will facilitate recovery, although they are very painful. To prevent recurrence, do not rush back to running. Only return when you are sure that your tendinitis is completely healed and you have no pain.
In cases where the injury has become chronic, surgery may be necessary. It usually works, although it is always advisable to avoid any action on the tendon, so focus on prevention rather than having to cure. However, our advice is to always put yourself in the hands of a professional, a physiotherapist or doctor will tell you exactly what your case is and you will be able to resolve it more quickly and better.
If you are someone who cannot stop exercising, do so without involving the tendon as in running. Water exercises, cycling, or elliptical training do not compromise the tendon as much.
They will allow you to stay in shape while you cannot run. Finally, do not forget to perform calf and soleus stretching exercises, do not work with overloads or weights, and avoid working on steep slopes.
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