If you’ve recently suffered an Achilles tendon injury and are already on alert, any discomfort in the affected area can trigger anxiety. Questions about potential re-injury, compromised recovery, and additional damage to the tendon may arise. Fortunately, such pain is likely just a flare-up. We’re here to assist you in understanding all the essential information about Achilles tendon flare-ups that may arise during your treatment for Achilles tendonitis. Frequently asked questions to keep in mind:
Table of Contents
1. What is a flare-up?
A flare-up occurs when pain receptors in an affected area become more sensitive, triggering even slight movements, and the damage may not have worsened due to previous actions.
2. Why am I experiencing a flare-up?
Flare-ups can happen anytime, and some reasons for them could be:
- Doing more intense activities suddenly.
- Stretching too hard or for too long.
- Lifting heavier weights in exercises suddenly.
- Doing too many repetitions or sets of an exercise.
- Increasing the number of exercises done at once.
- Yesterday’s activity was too intense.
- Tendon pain may flare up after overdoing exercise, especially if the injury is new. Increased exercise can cause a flare-up, and the body signals caution for safety and humility. These signals are present even if the injury is not re-injured.
3. What should I do now?
If you experience a flare-up, it’s your body’s way of asking you to take it easy. The best approach is to listen and provide your body with extra time to recover.
Attempting to power through a flare-up will result in increased pain. Although it may not lead to additional damage to the tendon, it doesn’t contribute to the healing process either. Providing your body with the necessary rest is crucial.
When you’re training for a specific goal, taking a break from your routine can be disheartening. Your Achilles tendon specialist can assist you in creating modified exercises to stay in shape without risking further damage. Likely, your flare-up didn’t cause more damage, but persisting through pain and exercising at unsafe intensities could increase the potential for injuries.
However, if you experience a sudden, sharp pain during exercise, it could indicate a tear. In such cases, it’s advisable to visit your podiatrist promptly for an evaluation.
4. How can I alleviate the pain?
Pain management involves icing, over-the-counter pain medications, heel-raising footwear, rest, and psychological support. Following a podiatrist’s recommendations can help alleviate pain and promote healing.
5. Should I stop exercising?
At this moment, it’s wise to pause your exercise routine. You can resume the next day, but be sure to follow the rehabilitation exercises prescribed by your podiatrist. If those exercises still cause flare-ups, consider modifying them further. Pay close attention to your body’s signals. Recovering from Achilles tendonitis can take time. Patience and adherence to your Achilles tendon specialist’s guidance will contribute significantly to your success.
6. How often will I have flare-ups?
The occurrence of flare-ups can be impacted by various external elements such as:
- Physical activity patterns
- Quality of sleep
- Stressors in daily life
- Significant life events
- Overall health status
Maintaining overall good health by ensuring sufficient sleep, managing stress levels, adopting a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise not only benefits your entire well-being but also contributes to the well-being of your Achilles tendon. If you have concerns about flare-ups while healing from Achilles tendonitis, a podiatrist is always available to assist.
source: https://myfootdoc.com/fickle-flare-up-all-about-achilles-tendonitis-flare-ups/
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