Icing achilles how long

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Using them incorrectly won't cause serious damage, but doing so can increase pain and swelling, rather than reduce them.

Understanding the physiological effect of hot and cold treatments will help you choose the correct treatment at the correct time. The Achilles tendon, also called the calcaneal tendon, is a tough strap of tissue that connects the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in your calf to your heel. A strain is a minor injury, due to micro-tears in the tendon.

The strain can be a result of overuse, wear and tear or trauma. The resulting inflammation causes swelling and pain, especially while moving your foot. Ice produces vasoconstriction -- the local capillaries shrink -- which makes the capillaries less permeable, resulting in less swelling. Chronic Tendonitis.

Achilles Tendonosis. Achilles Tenosynovitis. Achilles Tendon Rupture. Midpoint and Insertional Achilles Tendonitis. Achilles Bursitis. Haglunds Syndrome. Achilles Tendon Sprain or Strain? Diagnosing Achilles Tendon Injuries. Treating Achilles Tendon Injuries.

The Achilles tendon does not have a rich blood supply. Blood supply is weakest at a point between 2 and 6 cm above its insertion into the calcaneus heel bone. Ignoring pain in the Achilles tendon ie. For cyclists, initial Achilles tendon stress is often caused by having a low saddle height. This low saddle height can result in excessive dorsiflexion of the foot, which stresses the Achilles tendon.

The Achilles tendon is the connection between the heel and the most powerful muscle group in the body. Tennis and soccer players over 40 are the most frequent sufferers of tennis leg calf muscle strain. For triatheletes, the most common cause of injuries to the Achilles tendon is overpronation, inflexibility, or lack of strength. Immobility, due to an Achilles injury, may result in a contracted Achilles tendon and an increased amount of scar tissue.

When dealing with an Achilles tendon injury it's hard to know what treatment will work best for you. You might be wondering if ice and heat are applicable Or maybe even which will work better - ice OR heat. Icing and heating are 2 of the most natural treatment options available. Compared to medications, surgery and other treatment methods - icing and heating have been around for centuries and have always been used for ankle injuries as a means to soothe and heal.

We understand that it can get pretty confusing to figure out what conservative treatment method will work best with all of the treatment options available to you today. To get started, you should think about the benefits you'll get from using these therapies. Combining cold and warmth is a simple yet effective way to get immediate pain relief and promote long-term healing. In your lifetime you've probably had your mom, family doctor, nurse, surgeon or physical therapist tell you to use ice right after you're injured and something warm from time to time once the swelling's gone down.

It's a simple yet very effective way to relieve pain and promote healing in your Achilles. Achilles tendon injuries can happen to anyone, right now there are thousands of doctors and physical therapists dealing with patients that require a solution to their soft tissue injury fast and heal it where possible. Your doctor knows that the sooner cold is applied, the quicker you can reduce inflammation and achieve real pain relief.

This will help reduce the chance of a much longer lasting chronic injury. Heat and inflammation are a bad mix and should not be used together. Heat is good at the spa - it will help your body relax, but when it comes to an swollen injury, it is not a good idea unless your physician specifically recommends otherwise.

A Cold Compress or Ice Pack work best to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation for new injuries, re-injury and during immediate post surgery recovery. A Cold Compress or Ice Pack should also be used during the first 24 - 72 hours of treatment, combined with resting your injury. Generally speaking, cold is recommended:.

One day, you decide to head out for some grocery shopping - your cart was heavy and it was a long way from the grocery store back to the car.

You realize afterwards that you overdid it because your achilles is throbbing and continues to throb even after a couple of hours rest.

Once swelling and redness disappear usually within 48 hrs use an Achilles TShellz Wrap 2 to 3 times per day - especially just when you get out of bed to help keep your calf and achilles flexible and limber.

This will help reduce the risk of further re-injury. You're not sure if you have an injury, but the pain seems to come and go only when you're on your feet for an extended period of time or walking, jogging, jumping or running. When you feel the sharp pain, the pain will continue to build up and afterwards your ankle and leg feel weak or unstable. In this case use cold compression as a natural pain-reliever to reduce swelling.

Cold Therapy Ice produces vasoconstriction — the local capillaries shrink — which makes the capillaries less permeable, resulting in less swelling. It helps relieve pain because it decreases local nerve sensation. On the other hand, ice also makes muscles stiff and decreases muscle strength. You should not use ice if you are shivering or have peripheral vascular disease, open wounds or hypersensitivity to cold.

Heat Therapy Heat causes vasodilation — the local blood capillaries open up — which creates increased blood flow and brings oxygen and nutrients to the injured area. Heat relaxes muscles, decreases pain and improves range of motion.