[Closed] achilles and running issue

It might sound odd, but try running barefoot. Do a search for barefoot running. There's loads of stuff about it.

I've been doing it for a while now and it's fantastic. Liberating is the best word I've found to describe it.

It changes your gait very rapidly to something far more efficient and relaxing. However, you should take your time before trying any large distances. Loads of stuff out there if you want to read it.

Would also recommend 'Born to Run' as a fantastic read.

yeah a mate uses vibram barefeet thingies and loves them, funds and time until the race are what worry me going that route

here we go.... barefoot running again !

i'd be extremely cautious before changing running style. It caused me more problems than it did good.... funnily enough in the achillies and calf area.

if it's been like it for a few weeks and isn't showing any signs of letting up just go see a physio and get it checked out.

Kev

If you have strained your achilles tendon then the best you could do would be rest and very light stretching in the area. The achilles can take a while to heal so you don't want to make it worse, especially if you are training towards a deadline. Once it is better you will need to stretch the area but also your whole leg up to lower back. Barefoot shoes can help this but you have to be careful not overdoing it.

fontmoss - weird one, but my sister (better runner than me) had an achilles pain too. It was apparently down to her pronation - and the achilles not running down in a straight line to the back of the heel. It involved physio and an insert in her shoes to correct, so definitely worth visiting a physio.

You might find that small heel inserts releive the pressure a little by raising the heel a few mm.
Resist the temptation to touch it, or to allow anybody else to!! in my experience it may be incredibly tender to touch but only relatively uncomfortable to run on. Avoid letting a physio or masseu touch it in my experience it will simply make it worse. If its serious enough to require treatment then massage etc wont really help.
If it is severe then rest and treatment is the right way to go but if it is stiff on waking or when seated for a while I wouldnt worry too much and this type of low grade pain will often come and go if you are training quite seriously.

Stop running. Go and see a doctor. Some of them run and will be sympathetic, or will be able to refer you onwards to some-one who is.

[i]It might sound odd, but try running barefoot.[/i]

Is not the answer to every ****ing running problem....

Stretching is key
Stand on the bottom step of the stairs, facing forward, with balls of feet on the edge of the step.
Keeping your knee straight, lower the affected heel till it is a couple of centimetres below the the step, and you can feel it pulling down the back of your leg.
Hold for 30seconds.
Repeat several times a day.
Worked for me

[i]Is not the answer to every ****ing running problem....[/i]

Despite it being the best thing since sliced bread, I agree completely with you on this one.

Sounds like tendonitis. I get this problem a lot. Lots of ice, lots of ibuprofen. Stay off the running. Only when you get no tenderness when pressing, can you consider gentle jogging. I cut out all the backs of my running and cycling shoes, which helped a lot, although sounds a bit drastic.

nice to see a consensus. I'll go see a sports physio

In summary you must run both with and without shoes, and rest, and stretch all at the same time 😛

Sports physio sounds like a very good plan indeed!

Achilles Tendonosis can come on for a number of reasons. Cyclists taking up running is a bit of a classic. Muscles are strong allowing you to run lots and fast, but ligaments and tendons aren't used to the impact forces so damage easily. A correct diagnosis can be made by either a physio or a podiatrist as others have suggested.

You mention 'range of movement' exercises on the stairs, but you should Google & Youtube 'Eccentric stretching' if you want to DIY properly.

If you think you may have a biomechanical issue, go to a podiatrist and get properly assessed, though many running shops will offer a quick and dirty assessment on a treadmill using specialist software for nothing to get an indication of any problem.

Jumping straight into something else like barefoot running could well exacerbate the injury unless you are correctly healed first. Running barefoot will cause additional stress on the achilles as it will cause it to elongate further just at a time when it is already damaged.

Oh, and expect recovery to take 8+ weeks. I was feeling niggles that reduced my confidence in running for 6 mths!
All assumes it really is your achilles and not something else of course
Good luck with getting it sorted.

fontmoss - Member

nice to see a consensus. I'll go see a sports physio

Is the right answer - or certainly professional help of some sort

Too many things it could be, too much chance of doing further damage