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| Calf Support Can Help Relieve Achilles Tendonitis Pain Pain |
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So you’ve decided to exercise, but forgot to stretch your calf muscles, and now you have a sharp pain just above your ankle. This pain – most likely the result of Achilles tendonitis, a condition often caused by tight calf muscles – can be alleviated via better calf support.
The Achilles tendon, the strongest tendon in the body, connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, so calf support is crucial to helping it remain strong. Named after the Greek warrior who could only be mortally wounded in his heel, the Achilles tendon supports your body’s weight during exercise and everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs. When the Achilles tendon becomes irritated or inflamed, you may experience a sharp, constant pain just above your heel. If you’re experiencing this pain, you most likely have Achilles tendonitis and need to think about finding good calf support.
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| Poor Calf Support Can Cause Achilles Tendonitis |
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Tight calf muscles due to poor stretching or a too rapid increase in the frequency or intensity of athletic activity typically inflame the Achilles tendon, thus causing Achilles tendonitis and compelling you to pursue better calf support.
The following conditions and factors can also lead to Achilles tendonitis and the need for calf support:
- Flat feet or over-pronation during walking or running.
- Shoes that don’t stabilize your feet.
- Leg length discrepancy (one leg is longer than the other).
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| Relieve and Prevent Achilles Tendonitis Pain |
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If you have Achilles tendonitis pain, you can find relief by integrating better calf support exercises into your daily routine. Also, in addition to calf support, try following these suggestions:
- Temporarily stop the activity that caused the pain (running, excessive walking, etc.).
- Ice and/or massage the painful area. Apply ice approximately three times a day for 20 minutes to help reduce inflammation of the tendon.
- Gently stretch and massage your calf muscle using a stretching aid. FootSmart sells many stretching aids, such as the Step Stretch and Double Step Stretch, that provide excellent calf support.
- Use a heel lift in your shoes to help reduce the pull on the tendon and promote healing. FootSmart sells many heel lifts and other similar products, such as the Texton Silicone Heel Cups and the Adjust-a-Lift product, on our Web site and via our mail-order catalog. These products all provide great calf support.
Calf support is crucial to helping avoid future problems with your Achilles tendon. Try to follow these tips to help guard against Achilles tendonitis in the future:
- Consistently stretch your calf muscles before exercising or walking. As stated above, FootSmart sells many stretching aids, such as the Step Stretch and Double Step Stretch, that offer wonderful calf support.
- Wear shoes that stabilize your feet during motion. Remember, an ideal support shoe has the following characteristics:
- Firm heel counter
- Wide enough toe box to accommodate toes without pinching
- Semi-rigid or rigid shank
- Removable inner sole
- Long vamp
- Heel measuring between ¾ - 1½ inches
- Use heel lifts and other insoles in shoes to give your feet more cushioning and support. These types of products provide great calf support.
- If you find yourself recovering from Achilles tendonitis, ease back into exercise slowly, giving yourself enough time to heal.
If the pain persists and you feel like you need better calf support, The Podiatry Institute recommends consulting a podiatrist, as chronic Achilles tendonitis may require physical therapy, cast immobilization or even surgery in extreme cases.
Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health. |
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