Achilles Tendonitis

We are able to resolve over 90% of our Achilles Tendonitis cases!

	Excerpt from "Release your Pain" the best selling book about Active Release Techniques by Dr. Brian Abelson
What Causes Injuries to the Achilles Tendon?
Injuries to the Achilles Tendon are quite common and are often seen: In the weekend warrior who suddenly increases his or her physical activity, or suddenly starts a new sport without proper training, stretching, or preparation. In women who have changed from wearing high heels to low heels. In such situations, the Achilles tendon has become accustomed to remaining in a shortened position and is unable to adapt to the stretching required by wearing flat shoes. In athletes who suffer from over pronation, inflexibility, or lack of strength. Weakness in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles can cause abnormal pronation during the stance phase of the normal gait cycle. In runners who increase their mileage too rapidly, who attempt hill training without proper strengthening exercises, or who are using sub-standard running gear. In people with weak or unstable calf muscles, who suddenly place increased stress upon their Achilles tendon. A tight muscle is a weak muscle. Runners with weak or unstable calf muscles place increased stress upon their Achilles tendon. The repetitive stresses caused by walking, running, cycling, or other sports can cause friction and inflammation in the area of the Achilles tendon. The body responds to this inflammation by laying down scar tissue (adhesive tissue) in an attempt to stabilize the area. Inflexibility is often caused by the build-up of these adhesions, either within the soft-tissue, or within structures above or below the tendon’s kinetic chain. The Achilles tendon is the strongest and largest tendon in the body. It is extremely vulnerable to injury due to its limited blood supply and the numerous forces to which it is subjected. The Achilles tendon is known as a co-joined tendon. This tendon joins directly into the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus). The Achilles tendon transmits the force generated by the calf muscles to produce the push-off required for walking, running, and jumping. Read more about resolving Achilles Tendonitis in Release Your Pain...

Conventional Treatments

At our clinic, we have often seen many case of Achilles Tendonitis that were needlessly prolonged or that became chronic problems due to the application of ineffective treatments. Improper treatment of an Achilles Tendon injury can lead to major problems.

Many of our patients come to us after undergoing a series of ineffective treatments. In many cases these treatments often exacerbate or increase the amount of damage to the Achilles tendon. These include:

• The use of direct, heavy pressure and tension over the Achilles tendon.
• Cross-fiber massage which often irritates this area, increasing, rather than decreasing, the time required for recovery.
• Steroid injections, which should be avoided whenever possible. Research has shown that more than three or four steroid injections in a year can weaken tendons and damage joints, and can cause weight gain, diabetes, osteoporosis, and ulcers.

Treating Achilles Tendonitis with ART

Active Release Techniques is very successful at treating injuries of the Achilles tendon, as it addresses the release of restrictive adhesions between both superficial and deep tissue structures – not just at the Achilles tendon, but also all along the soft-tissue structures of its kinetic chain.

The Need for a Specific Diagnosis

It is extremely important to be as specific as possible when identifying the soft-tissue structures involved with Achilles Tendonitis. Patients may present with identical pain patterns at the Achilles tendon, yet have completely different structures that are impairing motion or causing the injury.

How can we help you to resolve your Achilles Tendonitis

If you chose to be a patient at Kinetic health there are several things you should know about our approach to resolving your condition.

Diagnostic Procedures

1. We use standard orthopedic and neurological tests to rule out the possibility of any pathological conditions. It is important that we know exactly what it is we are treating.
   
2. We perform a biomechanical analysis to find hidden restrictions that affect your mobility, strength, and flexibility. With this biomechanical analysis:
   
   
   
   • We determine which structures are affected along the entire kinetic chain of your body.
   • We pay attention to more than just the chief area of complaint. For example, a patient with an achilles injury will often have accompanying restrictions in a multitude of soft-tissue structures above and below the knee. These must also be treated to effectively resolve the problem
   • We identify the antagonistic structures (opposing muscle groups) to the primary structures that are causing the biomechanical imbalances. Since any body-action is based upon balance and coordination, an opposing soft-tissue structure is always affected by restrictions in the primary structure. These must also be treated in order to resolve achilles tendonitis.
     
3. We use the information that we gather to create a customized treatment plan that addresses your soft-tissue dysfunctions.
   
   This information we gather allows us to apply appropriate treatment methods such as Active Release Techniques, Graston, Chiropractic, and Massage to restore full function to the affected structures.

Exercises you will receive

We believe that effective, focused exercises play an important role in healing and regeneration of damaged tissues. Every patient receives appropriate exercises. Our exercises are based on four basic principles: strength, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular function.

Flexibility

• Good flexibility enables muscles and joints to move through their full range of motion. Poor flexibility leads to a higher chance of injury to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  
  
• Flexibility is joint-specific; a person may have excellent range of motion at one joint, yet be restricted in another.
  
  
• Stretching exercises help to realign new tissue that is being laid down in the direction of the muscle fibers .Without appropriate stretches, new scar tissue may form in weak random patterns, resulting in new restrictions and problems.

Strength

• Strength training is essential for the rehabilitation of any injury.
• When new tissue is laid down to repair an area, it is very thin and weak.
• Tissue goes through a remodeling phase which take from six month to a year.
• During the remodeling phase, this tissue will increase to over ten times it original diameter if the appropriate weight training exercise are applied against it.
• Without weight training the probability of re-injury remains high.

Balance and Proprioception

• Proprioception describes the body’s ability to react appropriately (through balance and touch) to external forces.
• Proprioception exercises should begin early in the rehabilitation process.
• Effective proprioception exercises are designed to restore the kinesthetic awareness of the patient. These exercises form the basis for the agility, strength, and endurance required for complete rehabilitation.

Cardiovascular

• Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises are essential for restoring good circulation and for increasing oxygen delivery to soft-tissues.
  
  
• Lack of oxygen and poor circulation is a primary accelerator of injuries.

How do I make an appointment at Kinetic Health?

Phone, Fax, or Email us to make an appointment at Kinetic Health.

Phone: 403-241-3772

Fax: 403-241-3846

Email: abelsonb@shaw.ca

To make your initial appointment more efficient, please download, print , and complete the Admittance Form before coming for your initial assessment

Disclaimer

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness using the information in this site should come under the direction of a trained medical practitioner. We accept no responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or procedures in this site or related internet links. By using the information in this web site you are confirming that you understand this statement and that you accept all risk and responsibility.

All matters regarding your health should be supervised by your health care provider. All information provided in this site is for the purpose of education, not treatment.

The information provided by or linked to on this site may or may not reflect the opinions of Dr. Brian Abelson. It does not represent the opinions of the Alberta Chiropractic Association or other affiliated associations.