How to treat Achilles tendonitis: The Achilles tendon is a tough, resilient band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. It helps you walk, run, jump, and perform many other movements. Although tough, it’s not indestructible, and tears and partial ruptures are possible, but sometimes Achilles tendon pain doesn’t require medical intervention.
How to treat Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendinopathy is a painful condition affecting the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. In most cases, Achilles tendinopathy is a type of overuse injury and is more common in younger people. Professional and weekend athletes can suffer from Achilles tendinopathy, but it is also a common overuse injury in people who don’t participate in sports.
If the pain you feel is mild and doesn’t disrupt your life, or you’re simply unsure whether to see a doctor, you may want to try home remedies. However, if your pain persists after 2-3 days of self-care, don’t wait any longer and visit your doctor.
The treatment for tendon strain prevents further injury and allows for repair:
How to treat it naturally
Ice pack
Place an ice pack on the affected area and leave it for one or two minutes, then remove it. Repeat this two to three times. You can do this several times a day. The ice pack numbs the affected area, reducing the pain and inflammation caused by Achilles tendinitis.
Castor oil
Take a tablespoon of castor oil and apply it to the affected area, leaving it on for about 20 minutes. You can also apply a warm compress to enhance its effectiveness. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil helps relieve inflammation and pain, potentially aiding in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis.
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Vitamins
Vitamin D deficiency has been found to increase musculoskeletal pain. Vitamin C supplementation accelerates the healing of an injured Achilles tendon.
Consuming foods rich in these vitamins is a way to recover faster from Achilles tendinitis. Citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, oily fish, cheese, and egg yolks are all rich in vitamins C and D.
Turmeric
- 1 glass of hot milk
- What you have to do
Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk, mix well, and drink daily. It is recommended to take it once a day, preferably at night. Turmeric contains a highly beneficial compound called curcumin. Curcumin has healing properties that can help accelerate the healing of a torn tendon.
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Rest
One of the first things you should do at home to deal with an Achilles tendon injury is to rest the affected tendon for a few weeks until the symptoms disappear. The affected tendon will heal faster with rest.
Massage
Massaging and stretching the affected tendon helps it heal faster; deep friction massage restores tissue elasticity, relieves pain and inflammation, and reduces tension on the injured Achilles tendon.
Ginger
- 2
- 1 cup of water
Add 2 inches of ginger to a cup of water, simmer for 5 minutes, and strain. Let the ginger tea cool slightly before drinking. You can drink ginger tea twice a day. Ginger has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great remedy for treating Achilles tendonitis.
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Achilles tendinitis is usually nothing to worry about. Minor injuries can even heal on their own without any further treatment. However, if your calf or ankle is constantly painful for more than a few weeks, see a doctor right away to rule out other causes.
An Achilles tendon tear usually heals in about six weeks, although it can take up to six months for patients to resume their full activity; it all depends on the person’s will and responsibility.
