Strained Achilles Tendon Natural Cures

The Achilles tendon is the tendon that stretches from the calf to the heel. This allows for most of the movement in feet including walking, running and jumping. A strained Achilles tendon can be caused by improper footwear, an intense workout the body is not accustomed to, or weak calf muscles. Once this tendon is injured, it needs to be treated immediately with rest, ice and therapy.

Rest

• Rest the affected tendon. To prevent further damage, do not put stress of any kind on the Achilles tendon. Don't engage in any activity that will reinjure the Achilles tendon, including whatever caused the injury to begin with. The severity of the strain will dictate how long it must remain at rest. This could be as short as one week or as long as a month.

Ice

• Put ice on the tendon. This will reduce the swelling and promote healing. Use an ice pack covered in a towel, ice cubes wrapped in a towel, or a bag of frozen vegetables. Do not put ice directly onto the affected area as this could cause burning and irritation. Keep the ice on for at least 20 minutes at a time, then remove it for at least an hour.

Mild Exercise

• After a period of rest, gradually incorporate exercise into your daily regimen. Do not engage in intense workouts, but do some light stretching and walking. Mild exercise and stretching will encourage blood circulation to the injury site, helping it to heal. Also, do non-weight-bearing exercises such as swimming or bicycling. If you experience pain, stop the activity immediately.

Medication

• Medication should only be taken if your doctor or a sports injury specialist advises. It is tempting to want to take an anti-inflammatory but that would be counterproductive. Achilles tendon strains are degenerative in nature and not inflammatory. Pain killers could cause the problem to get worse because they conceal the injury. If your doctor recommends medicine to ease the pain, be sure you continue to rest and ice the affected tendon.

See a Doctor

• If the pain persists or gets worse after a few weeks of rest, ice treatment, and exercise therapy, you need to consult your physician. He may refer you to a physical therapist for a more in-depth exercise program; in extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.