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Heal Pain & Discomfort

Are you dealing with heel pain? If so, you may be suffering from Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is what attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. This bone is what we use in order to run, walk, jump, and even stand on the balls of our feet. However, continuous and strenuous physical activity like jumping and running can cause the Achilles tendon to be painful and inflamed. If you are experiencing pain like this, our team at Divergent Innovative Health Care in Calgary are here to help.

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Causes & Symptoms

Excessive walking or exercise is the main cause of Achilles tendonitis. This is an issue seen more commonly in athletes. There are also several other unrelated factors that may cause this condition besides just exercise. For example, rheumatoid arthritis and infections can result in tendonitis. 

Other potential causes include:

  • Not warming up prior to exercising
  • Calf muscle straining during physical activity
  • Sports that including tennis and require you to change periodic direction
  • Increase in physical activity that is sudden
  • Shoes that are poor fitting or old
  • Wearing high heels for a long period of time
  • Bone spurs in the back of your heels
  • Aging since Achilles’ tendons tend to weaken as you get older

Pain and swelling are the main symptoms of Achilles tendonitis. The pain is located on the backside of your heal and is usually noticed when running or walking. Other symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include:

  • Calf muscles that are tight
  • Swelling and discomfort in the back of your heel
  • Range of motion that is limited while flexing your foot
  • Skin that is warm to the touch on your heel

Diagnosis & Treatment

Normally, obvious symptoms are enough for a doctor to diagnose Achilles tendonitis. Apparent symptoms, such as swelling and pain in the calf and heel, are almost always present in Achilles tendonitis. Our team will feel around the area for pain and swelling. We may also use tests to help confirm the diagnosis, such as MRI scans, ultrasounds, and x-rays.

There are a variety of treatments available for Achilles tendonitis starting with home remedies. You can try resting and taking anti-inflammatory medication. However, we may suggest steroid injections, or even surgery if your condition does not improve.

Combating Achilles tendonitis

To help combat Achilles tendonitis, you may need to try:

  • Decreasing your physical activity
  • Stretching very gently to strengthen your calf muscles
  • Switching to a sport that is less strenuous
  • Icing the area following exercise
  • Keeping your foot elevated
  • Using a brace or walking boot to stabilize heel movement
  • Physical therapy

Contact Us for An Appointment

If chiropractic care has not worked for you in the past, then seeing our team at Divergent Innovative Health Care is the next best step. Our team is dedicated to going above and beyond chiropractic care to offer whatever treatment you need for whole-body wellness. Contact us today to see how we can help your Achilles tendonitis in Calgary.