Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with achilles

Stretch me! Need your best Achilles Tendon stretches please

LyzzyBee — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:05:54 -0800

Runners/others - any tips for stretching my Achilles? Right - I am a runner. I have one leg longer than the other and an orthotic to balance it. Due to the leg issue I have been attending the Orthopaedic Hospital on the NHS (they have been brilliant). I am female, late 30s, 140lbs, 5'2". Since ramping up training, a bit of pain/discomfort in the instep on the short leg. Sometimes wen running, sometimes after running if I don't support the instep by wearing trainers after my shower. Referred self back to Orth. Hosp. Orthotist said it is a tight Achilles Tendon, apparently it wraps round the ankle and joins the instep. Both tight but this tightest. I need to get more movement and range in the Achilles. Anyone know/ can point me in the direction of some good stretches? You are not my doctor or my physio. I have no more free treatment available and don't have spare money to pay. I know this is the advice of internet folks and not professionals etc etc etc.

Don't worry about my general health, running with uneven leg length (am careful, look after self, shock absorbing insoles etc etc, orthotist checked my gait-analysed trainers and is happy with them)

Because it is really only an issue when I run, the Orthop. Hosp. don't want to offer me physio on the NHS (which is fair enough) and suggested I went private (which I can't afford right now if it's not affecting my walking)

Help me fix this tendinitis...with needles?

xiaolongbao — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:37:07 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good acupuncturist in the New York metro area? Stamford, CT environs also possible, but I have no car. I recently received my first acupuncture treatment in San Francisco, felt what might be the first inklings of success, and am hoping to continue in New York after I move back home this weekend. Can anyone recommend a good acupuncturist, particularly someone who could treat tendinitis, in the (preferably) New York or (possibly) Stamford, CT area? A zillion bonus points if they happen to accept BlueCross insurance - I know that's a long shot.

Backstory: I've been battling Achilles tendinitis in my left ankle for about 5 years. I used to run competitive long distance, one of my life's great passions, but overtrained and never received proper rehab. For a while, I simply gave up running, as my last ortho said "I think it'd be better if you never ran again," and my parents discouraged me from having "expensive surgery with a 50% success rate." When I do try to run these days, I have to stop after 2-3 20 minute runs spread out over several days due to recurring sharp pain. It has been a life changing, incredibly painful journey, and I've never found anything that' really fulfilled me the way running did. Hoping acupuncture can help me, as I've read some success stories. Other suggestions welcome, too.

Thank you.

Treating achilles tendonitis on my own

rosebuddy — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:03:10 -0800

I seem to have classic achilles tendonitis and am trying to treat it myself. What treatments worked for you? At what point should I just give up and go to a doctor and get professional assessment and physiotherapy? I've been doing a lot of hill walking without stretching adequately and am now paying the price. A couple of days ago, I found that both achilles tendons were very tight and sore when I got up in the morning, especially when I tried to walk down stairs. They hurt only slightly going upstairs and usually aren't sore at rest or when I do a little walking around the house. Starting yesterday, I've been doing the following.

Resting: no long walks, cycling, etc.
Icing: 3-4 times a day
(not Compressing yet. Should I?)
(not Elevating yet. There doesn't seem to be a need.)

I'm taking Tylenol to fight the inflammation and do gentle wall stretches when I get up in the morning. I've also started wearing good supportive shoes around the house instead of going barefoot.

Normally, I would already be at the sports medicine clinic instead of asking for advice here. But my new medical insurer is auditing my account after I submitted my first claim a month after signing up. They won't even pay for my prescriptions right now, and I have no idea how much longer it will take to resolve this. I'm trying to stay away from any medical consultation unless it's really needed.

Am I on the right track with self-therapy? Is there anything else I should consider?

Boating; which are the best online discussion forums for motor boats?

Ligament — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:52:29 -0800

I just moved onto the Puget Sound and need a small, affordable, transportable power boat and want suggestions from you about the best online boating discussion forums to ask further questions! Hi All,

I recently moved onto Alki Beach in the Puget Sound and want to get a low maintenance easy to transport but safe boat to place on the mooring buoy included with my home. I want the smallest, SAFE, boat with high transportability factor. Not looking for a yacht. Was thinking something like a Zodiac Futura MK III HD, or a RIB, or boston whaler. Something under 20' for sure.

My ideal situation would be an inflatable such as the above Zodiac, without a rigid hull, as this would allow me to deflate and easily transport and store the thing. I don't want to deal with marinas, winterizing, boat trailers, all that junk.

Now, I don't know if a 14' inflatable is a safe vessel for the puget sound.

I want suggestions from you about the best online discussion forums where I could ask more specific questions, as to what type of boat I should look for, etc.

Torn Achilles- looking for cardio exercises to do

rryan — Tue, 29 May 2007 05:50:27 -0800

I'm an avid runner and tore my achilles. Looking for cardio exercises to do that don't involve ankle/legs much. I'm an avid runner (approximately 30 miles a week), and in my 40's. I'm in good condition and weight well within the range of what I should- in large part because I love to run.

Unfortunately I just tore my Achilles tendon, and am looking at an extended rehab.

Since I won't be bending my ankle to a large extent anytime soon, I'm looking for cardio exercises that burn calories, but don't involve the ankle/legs much.

I've come up with possibly swimming as an alternative. I see a doctor tomorrow and would like to get some exercises OK'd if anyone else can come up with some other alternatives.

What can I do to help my brother's recovery period?

Telf — Sun, 06 May 2007 22:53:00 -0800

My brother just injured his achilles tendon, what can I do for him? My brother is an extremely active guy. He bikes, runs, kite boards, plays soccer etc. He actually hurt himself while helping to set up for a 5k charity run. He seriously injured his achilles tendon and will be off his feet for a while.

I live pretty far away from him, but would like to help him out some how. What are some gifts, gadgets or suggestions to help him during the long recovery? I've never had a severe injury like this before, so I don't know what would be helpful.

He was pretty adamant about me not buying him any sort of video games. He has plenty of books, though something inspiring might me appreciated.