Runners Achilles tendonitis can be treated, not with rest, and definitely not with icing, but with running with a forefoot strike whereby eccentric loading via the heel dropping phase that occurs just after touchdown helps with the swelling.
The forefoot running technique is essentially a series of heel drops whereby shortly after the forefoot has made initial contact with the ground, the heel drops to the ground last.
The heel drop action in forefoot running is known as a form of heavy-load eccentric tensile loading of the musculo-tendinous units and was found to stimulate tendon healing, allowing for a gradual adaptation to loading during running.
Forefoot Strike Helps Runners Achilles Tendonitis
This finding addresses the question whether forefoot running is a risk factor for Achilles injury, when in actuality, it may be a preventative strategy.
In fact, heel drop exercises are commonly used to treat Achilles tendinopathies in heel strike runners and have yielded remarkable results such as boosting elastic behavior of the tendon.
Therefore and theoretically, running on the forefoot with Achilles tendinosis may be therapeutically beneficial as opposed to utilizing standard forms of treatment such as immobilizing the leg or ice therapy which actually slows healing and reduces range of motion of the tendon.
Avoid Heeled Running Shoes
One thing to keep in mind is that wearing running shoes with a raised cushioned heel during forefoot running prevents the full lowering of the heel and thus limits full eccentric loading needed for positive remodeling of the tendon.
Therefore, since heel cushioning of a shoe restricts the natural eccentric lowering of the heel during forefoot running, poor force distribution may be transferred to the Achilles which may exacerbate tendinopathy symptoms.
To ensure adequate, full eccentric loading and thus the lowering of heel, barefoot inspired running shoes must be worn or run completely barefoot when running forefoot.
For more insight on the lowering mechanism of the heel in forefoot running, I always like to use the forefoot running technique of Tirunesh Dibaba as a reference point to demonstrate the proper lowering of the heel.
More from Run Forefoot:
- Bad Minimalist Running Shoes
- Learn Barefoot Running
- Best Shoes for Forefoot Running
- Stretching and Running Doesn’t Mix
References:
Shang, D. Achilles tendinopathy. Review Article: The Medical Chronacle, 2013.
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