Achilles Tendinitis creates discomfort in the Achilles Tendon, the largest tendon in the human body. The Achilles Tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel and is key for any type of walking, running or jumping movements. Achilles Tendinitis is typically the result of repetitive stress, not a specific injury.
Common Factors
- Tight Calf Muscles
- Increased Activity
- Increased Intensity of Activity
- Bone Spurs
Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis
- Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning
- Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity
- Severe pain the day after exercising
- Thickening of the tendon
- Bone spur
- Swelling that is present all the time and gets worse throughout the day with activity
There are plenty of non-surgical treatments for Achilles Tendinitis, such as cortisone injections, physical therapy or simple rest, but if your looking for an alternative method to help Achilles Tendinitis (and avoid the surgeon’s knife) kinesio tape might be your answer.
Mueller Kinesiology Tape is a kinesio tape featuring a revolutionary adhesive design that lifts the skin to help maintain flexibility, improve circulation and relieve pain. By microscopically lifting the skin from the muscle and improving circulation, pressure and irritation are decreased to help alleviate pain. Mueller Kinesiology Tape can be worn for several days per application helping to provide you with around the clock relief from pain and discomfort. Kinesio taping techniques can help decrease pain, increase range of motion and increase function.
So, how do you treat Achilles Tendinitis with kinesioolgy tape? Here’s what we at Mueller Sports Medicine feel is the best kinesio taping technique for Achilles Tendinitis.
Achilles Tendinitis Kinesio Taping
You’ll be using two pieces of I-Strips Pre-cut Kinesiology Tape.
First strip
1. Tear paper backing, about 1” from the end
2. Flex foot upward
3. Anchor the tape to bottom of your heel – no stretch
4. Peel the paper slowly with medium stretch in the tape
4. Apply the tape up your calf
6. Anchor the other end of the kinesiology tape with no stretch
7. Vigorously rub tape
Second strip
1. Fold strip in half and cut into two pieces
2. Tear paper backing at the middle of one strip
3. Peel the paper slowly, creating two anchor-point handles
4. With medium stretch, apply tape across the point of pain
5. Anchor the ends of the kinesiology tape with no stretch
6. Apply the second piece that same way, an inch or two above the other piece
7. Vigorously rub tape