Treatment of Achilles Tendonitis (Calf Pain/ Tightness) in Runners in Huntington Beach CA
As the weather gets nicer we have seen more runners out training for their respective races. I love running just as much as the next guy but I think I experienced more injuries during running than in cycling or playing baseball combined. Fact is, running produces more impact than other endurance sports and more overuse injuries will result.
One injury common to runners is Achilles tendonitis/ pain, calf tightness and shin splints. Many times runners will come in with an injury on one side and not the other, which begs the question of why not the other ankle? Many times the answers to this question can be found by movement analysis or video gait analysis. One focuses on the strength and movement of the respective joint of the lower body and the other at how the body moves in during the sport.
There are three main power sources in the lower limb propelling you forward when running: the gluts, quads and the calf. All three of the these major muscles groups share the act running propulsion (not swing phase of the leg), which consists of extension of the hip, knee and plantarflexion of the ankle. Granted there is a little bit more to it than this but this makes it easier to understand why your calf or Achilles might have started acting up over the recent weeks.
If you have all of these three areas working in unison they all share the workload. If one area is not doing its job then the others have to work harder causing overuse. Lately I have been finding patients with Achilles tendonitis have had a lack of function of the gluteus maximus or lack of hip range of motion. Many times looking at the video analysis of their gait you can see abnormally dominant vertical motion, from excessive work from the quads and calf.
Although Active Release Techniques® is the best at ridding the painful tissue of scar tissue, in my opinion, but fact of the matter is the problem will have a tendency of returning if the primary gait issue is not corrected as well.
If you are experiencing Achilles tendon issues I would strongly recommend seeking the care of an Active Release provider who is well trained in analyzing gait as well.
--
Dr. Sebastian Gonzales DC, CSCS, CGFI-MP3
Doctor of Chiropractic
Elite ART® Provider
USA Track & Field Level 1 Coach
P3 Sports Care
18700 Main St. Suite 206
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
info@P3SportsCare.com
"Where the Athletes send their Families"
714-392-6482
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
P3 Sports Care, previously Orange County Pain Management, has been serving Southern California for over 5 years. Although many of our patients live right in the city of Huntington Beach, many of them will come from a great distance to receive our Active Release Techniques®, Chiropractic Care, and Rehabilitation. Our customer service is second to none; our patients always come first. Even patient who are afraid of going to a chiropractor love our style of care.
Serving the cities of Orange, Irvine, Villa Park, Mission Viejo, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Costa Mesa, Stanton, Westminster, Buena Park, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Seal Beach, Long Beach, Sunset Beach, Fullerton, Brea, Laguna Hills, Tustin, and Huntington Beach.
Check out our other articles and information on Active Release Techniques® and Injury Prevention Assessments to see if it can help you or any of your loved ones get out of pain and prevent new injuries.
