Overuse injuries of the Achilles tendon are a common lower-extremity pathology, especially among active people. The term tendinitis has traditionally been used to describe these overuse tendon disorders, but that trend is changing due to recent physiological discoveries about tendon pathologies.

The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the body. It attaches the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus in order to generate plantar flexion movements. Because the gastrocnemius and soleus share this tendon, they are sometimes considered one muscle group called the triceps surae. They play a major role in forward or upward propulsion when they contract concentrically and in shock absorption and deceleration when they work eccentrically. This is why the tensile loads on the Achilles tendon are so high.

Massage is an effective alternative to traditional treatments, such as corticosteroid injections, which have been found to be problematic. Successful resolution of the problem comes from a thorough understanding of the physiology and pathology of these tendon disorders.

References