Achilles Tendonitis

     Achilles Tendonitis- it's not something you want to mess around with. The truth is, you don't need to do anything to heal this injury. Your body can fix it naturally. However, an injury with a healing process like the one it has makes it difficult to be patient when we live it a fast paced world. So, being a moden human, you look for ways to speed up the recovery process, shortening it from what may be years to only weeks.
     The Achilles tendon is the tissue that connects your calf muscles in your lower leg to your heel. The overusage of this tissue is what is known as Achilles Tendonitis. This injry can happen to anyone, not just athletes. This injury is most common in runners (considering all we do is run and run). Often runners that increase the intensity or mileage of the workout will experience Achilles Tendonitis.
    How do you know if you have this injury? Unless you go to a doctor, I can't gaurantee any of these symptoms can officially confirm your Achilles tendon is in fact the problem. An ache in your calf or above the heel (called the watershed zone, because it is the part of the Achilles tendon that recieves the least amout of blood, hence the area most prone to injury) after running or engaging in any physical activity can suggest the injury, as well as slight stiffness.
     It suprised me when I learned this, but the Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It's not something I would have ever guessed prior to this knowledge, but it makes sense considering the amount of weight, pressure, and movement we put on our own two feet daily. Every time that you move your ankle, your Achilles tendon moves too. This injury can affect even the smallest of tasks.
     When injured with the tendonitis, your Achilles tendon has degenerative tears within itself, which is causing irritation and inflamation. Although painful, this is the way your tendon is telling you that it can't handle the load you're putting on it.
     If not treated properly and effectively, Achilles Tendonitis can turn into an unwanted chronic injury, lasting for years. Make sure to allow yourself to recover fully without creating any more damage to your Achilles tendon.