How to stay healthy Achilles tendons

Achilles tendon is named for Achilles - the mighty hero of Greek mythology, which turned out to be the weak point of the heel. The human body is the strongest tendon. Nevertheless, it is most often vulnerable to injury.

Achilles tendon injury

Achilles tendon can be damaged by a punch. But the danger also are unsuccessful or jumping starts. At too high load and insufficient heating drastic reduction gastrocnemius and soleus muscles leads to microtraumas and subsequently may cause a rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Sudden jumps and start without warming up the muscles are most dangerous to the Achilles tendon.

When the sharp pain's relentless need to go to the hospital: the diagnosis is made by MRI and ultrasound. Pull this is not: to heal the gap better than in the early days. However, do not get to do without surgery.

The lesser evil - microtrauma Achilles tendon. But even they can create a lot of trouble: the pain during and after physical activity, restriction of mobility and foot pain at night. Microtrauma, too, do not leave without attention to the problem does not become chronic.

Who is at risk

• His sight - those who suddenly realized that you need to lead an active life.
• Workaholics - those who are on weekdays from morning to evening sitting at the computer, and on weekends to compensate for that many hours of walking.
• novice runners - those who are running short distances, and believes that the warm-up is not necessary.
• Fanatics - those who are not giving yourself a day of rest, alternate gym, treadmill, bike, and swimming pool.

If you recognize yourself in one of these types, pay attention to your Achilles tendon. The pain does not have to be harsh, it is often aching or pulling. Check mobility: Do you easily get up on your toes and make circular movements of the foot.

One of the symptoms of the problems with the Achilles tendon - poor mobility of the foot.

treatments

In case of rupture of the Achilles tendon will save only a doctor. But microtraumas you are able to help themselves.

• If pain occurs at the beginning of training, but runs after warming up the muscles, it is necessary to increase the duration of the workout and / or time of rest between sessions.
• If there is discomfort after exercise, reduce stress and keep your feet warm. When lung problems rest and woolen socks is enough to recover.
• If you do not want to tolerate the discomfort, help anti-inflammatory gels and creams: "diclofenac", "Ketonal" or "Dolobene".

also useful massage:

injury prevention

To Achilles tendons do not become your Achilles heel, do not neglect the universal rules:

1. Increase the load smoothly. Better a few short walks, but every day than a long time in a week.
2. Choose the right shoes. Sports and casual shoes should maintain good foot.
3. Regularly knead feet. During the working day do not forget to stretch, making a circular motion feet, get up every half hour to walk a bit.
4. Take time to recover. After heavy training need to rest. Not necessarily completely abstain from the exercise: it is possible to simply reduce the load or to give preference to cross-training. But loading the same tissues day after day is not necessary: ​​it is fraught with their destruction.
5. Correct training begins and ends. Do not forget about dynamic workout before the basic static load and after stretching.

Stretching the Achilles tendon: