Accupuncture for achilles tendonitis?

[Stu]

I was wondering if anyone had ever experienced achilles tendonitis? Have you tried accupuncutre? I have a painful case and nothing makes the inflamation go down. I am looking at trying accupuncture and was wondering if anyone had tried it?

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Stu

I was wondering if anyone had ever experienced achilles tendonitis? Have you tried accupuncutre? I have a painful case and nothing makes the inflamation go down. I am looking at trying accupuncture and was wondering if anyone had tried it?

I got a mild case from a different shoe one time - I kept running (since I had a race later that week), but I ran a bit slower, lower mileage, went back to the regular shoe and went on a heat/stretch/heat/stretch/ice like mad regimen. I mean, I stretched four, five times a day, then iced right afterwards. Also be sure you're stretching properly - I never felt like I got it right until I started bending my knee to take my gastroc out of the equation.

Also hit the advil fairly hard. My podiatrist (also a runner) prescribed celebrex but I never needed it - advil did the trick.

Heel heights also make a difference - if you're running, make sure you have a high enough heel - I went from Nike shoes to Mizuno and it was like falling off a cliff. I went back to the Nike and all was well, despite their spotty quality. I eventually switched back to Miz, but took my time about it.

For something that gets as much use as your achilles, you have got to make rehab a priority. Good luck.

 

[SJTrance]

The best treatment for Achilles Tendonitis is done with a cortisone shot FOLLOWED by regular Physical Therapy. I've treated a bunch of these (I'm a PT) and I've never had a person who stuck with my program not be rid of the problem. You need manual work to the tendon itself. Deep transverse friction massage to the tendone and myofascial release to the calf muscles. Once the inflammation has settled, you have to start to stretch the muscle itself. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in the same situation again when it gets irritated. Depending on the stage of the condition, ice massage can be very beneficial too...if it's in the acute and painful stage.

Many people are afraid of cortisone shots, but it's not the demon people think it is. When I personally have an inflammation from something like tendonitis, then a shot will stop the process. It is vital that when the shot is taking effect, you must do what you can to fix the underlying problem (through PT). But the most important part is to identify what caused the problem in the first place and either not do that again or modify that activity.