Don’t Ignore Achilles Heel Pain

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to suffer Achilles tendon injuries. They can occur even from performing minor household tasks, such as climbing a ladder. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), Achilles tendon weakness is common in adults and prompt treatment when symptoms occur can prevent more serious injury.

“The Achilles tendon is the longest and strongest tendon in the body, but is subjected to considerable wear and tear,” said Gerald Travers, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon in Colorado Springs. “When the tendon becomes inflamed from overuse or too much sudden stress, tendonitis can weaken it over time and cause microscopic tears,” said Travers. “Going without treatment increases risk for further deterioration and possible rupture.”

According to the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootPhysicans.com, pain, stiffness and tenderness in the area are the main symptoms of Achilles tendonitis. Pain occurs in the morning, improves with motion but gets worse with increasing stress and activity.

“In addition to athletes, Achilles problems are common for anyone whose work routine puts constant stress on the feet and ankles,” said Travers. “These injuries happen most often to less conditioned, ‘weekend warrior’ athletes who overdo it. But I’ve also had patients who have ruptured the tendon simply by climbing a ladder quickly.”

When pain and other symptoms indicate possible Achilles tendonitis, Travers said a foot and ankle surgeon will make a thorough diagnosis and evaluate flexibility and range of motion in the tendon. Treatment options vary depending on severity and include casting, ice, anti-inflammatory pain medication, physical therapy and surgery if other options fail.

Travers noted recreational activities involving jumping and running are the major cause of Achilles tendon injuries. “In sports like basketball and tennis, muscles and tendons in the back of the leg are prone to injury from an imbalance that occurs from a lot of forward motion. The imbalance can weaken the tendon unless stretching exercises are performed regularly.”

He added the best ways to prevent Achilles tendon injuries are to warm up gradually by walking and stretching. Further, it’s best to avoid strenuous sprinting or hill running if you are not in shape for it.

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Lifting Procedures For Reducing Or Preventing Back Pain

Many people don’t realize the importance of lifting objects properly in order to avoid hurting their backs. One of the leading causes of back injuries are due to people lifting heavy objects improperly. In this article I will go over the proper procedures for lifting heavy objects in order to avoid back pain.

Lifting things doesn’t have to be hazardous, whether you’re at home or at work. Many people put lots of stress on their backs on a regular basis, especially those who have jobs in warehouses or delivery companies. Even those who don’t spend lots of time lifting heavy objects can make their backs prone to injury over time even if they lift small objects if they do it improperly.

There are two primary mistakes that many people make when lifting objects. The first mistake is using the wrong muscles to lift up objects. You’re supposed to use the muscles in your legs and buttocks instead of the muscles in your back.

It is always important to bend your knees when lifting an object off the floor. This gives your spine a level foundation and avoids putting too much stress on it. It is important to keep your upper body vertical when lifting instead of horizontal. Having your upper body horizontal will put a lot of stress on your lower back. This pressure could be hundreds of pounds, and eventually you’ll suffer a slipped disc or sprain.

The second mistake people often make is lifting an object too far from their bodies. It is important to be as close as possible to whatever you’re lifting. By holding the object close to you, the amount of pressure exerted on your spine is reduced.

You want to hold the object by its center and keep it eight inches away from you when you lift. Keep your upper body vertical and use the muscles in your knees and buttocks in order to lift it. By doing this you avoid damaging you back. You also want to avoid twisting your upper body when you left objects as this can add pressure to your spine as well.

Lifting objects properly in order to avoid back pain is important. If you lift a ten pound object at arms length, you are putting at least one hundred and fifty pounds of pressure on your lower back. If you hold an eighty eight pound object at arms length, a massive seven hundred pounds is being exerted on your back.

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