5 Remedies for Achilles Heel Tendinitis

Tendinitis in your Achilles heel means inflammation in that area. It’s a problem that can cause a lot of discomfort and pain.

Its placement makes it hard for you to do everyday activities without treating the pain in some form.

Our recommendation is that you take the time you need to treat the problem. If your doctor asks you to take a few days of rest, do it for as long as he/she says.

There are several invasive procedures that can speed up the process. However, your Achilles heel is a dangerous area to operate on.

Besides following your doctor’s recommendations, you can use some of these remedies to help treat tendinitis.

1. Use the RICE treatment

The RICE treatment is a first aid treatment that is divided into 4 steps:

Rest

The constant tension your foot is under can usually cause tendinitis. For this, you need to be aware of both the time and effort you use when you walk, jog, or run.

For a few days, it’s a good idea to reduce the amount of stress and tension on it. If you can take a few days to rest, that would be much better.

Ice

The second phase of this treatment is applying ice compresses to your Achilles heel regularly.

This will gradually reduce the temperature. At the same time, it reduces inflammation and takes away the pain.

Compression

Apply pressure on the area around your Achilles heel. You should especially do this when you’re going to sleep.

Make sure to keep your tendon stable. It should have better support to avoid any additional tension.

For this, you only need to use either a compression bandage or socks. During the day, it’s important to use appropriate foot wear as advised by your doctor.

Elevation

A little elevation helps increase blood flow in this area. Also, gravity helps to take tension off of the tendon. This allows your blood vessels and capillaries in the area to not strain as much.

2. Give it a massage with castor oil

Castor oil is a big help in treating and reducing problems with tendinitis by using a massage. Due to its high amount of linoleic acid, its effects are immediate.

When you do the massage, start little by little. It can be very painful at the beginning. Make sure you make your tendon feel relaxed. You can give a stronger massage to get a longer lasting effect.

After giving this massage, be sure to cover the area with a compression sock or bandage.

3. Quit smoking

Smoking is one of the habits that contributes to health deterioration the most. This especially affects your blood circulation.

Stop smoking if you are having problems with tendinitis in your Achilles heel. This will significantly increase the healing process.

Giving up the habit isn’t an easy task for anyone. However, it’ll be worth the effort, especially if you are trying to heal something painful with each and every step you can take.

Remember that keeping this bad habit will delay the effects of the medications, massages, and any other treatment you use.

4. Use appropriate footwear

Tendinitis in your Achilles heel gets in the way of walking correctly. However, this isn’t everything: if you use the wrong shoes, you can make the problem worse.

To keep this from happening, it’s important that you make sure to use a pair of shoes that have enough support. Stay away from ones that put constant pressure on the tendon.

You also need to look for ones that have soft sides. The back and sole should be thick enough to not need any extra support. If you have any doubts, ask your doctor directly.

It can be annoying and a little expensive to buy the right shoes. However, it’ll speed up the healing process. Before buying them, try walking in them a little bit.

It doesn’t make sense to buy a pair that hurts you a lot just because they are cheaper or look better.

5. Stretch to warm-up your Achilles heel

Stretching isn’t just something you do after exercise. In truth, it’s recommended to stretch every morning. This lets you prepare your body for the stresses of the day.

Unexpected twists, cramps, tension and tendinitis in any area can happen. This is because it’s not prepared to face normal effort or stress.

You just need to stretch for 10 or 15 minutes. This is enough to prevent any tendinitis problem or pain. Start little by little and make sure you don’t force the area.

Always watch the progression of the tendinitis

If your symptoms don’t lessen or the pain is unbearable, you need to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Doing nothing only causes complications and unnecessary pain.

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