Do you have a healthy Achilles tendon? If you like to play sports you’re probably aware that Achilles tendon tears are game changers. While most people will return to some level of play, very few return to the level they were at before the injury.
The risk of Achilles tendon tears increases with tendon degeneration and especially as you age. The injury is most common in the between ages 20 and 39, but the frequency of injury in the 40 to 60 age group is increasing faster than any other.
If you want to continue to play sports throughout your life and avoid surgery, you need to have a plan to keep this tendon healthy. Check out the video below to learn how.
3 Exercises for a Healthy Achilles Tendon
Remember, keys to increasing Achilles tendon health with these exercises:
- Make sure your heel raise strength is adequate first. If you can’t do 3 sets of 10 single leg heel raises, don’t start the jumping drills until you can.
- If you haven’t done any jumping in awhile, start slow. 3 to 5 rounds of 10 reps of each jumping exercise is plenty.
- Keep your knees straight for jumping exercises targeting the Achilles tendon.
- With the jumping exercises, focus on quickly transitioning between landing and takeoff.
If you’ve tried these and you’re having difficulty, we can help you!
At Solutions Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine in Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA, we’re experts at helping people understand improve their Achilles tendon health.
Call us at 703-299-3111, or click here to request an appointment.
A member of our team will schedule you an appointment with one of our expert physical therapists.
What can happen if you don’t try to have a healthy Achilles tendon?
- You stop playing sports because your tendon starts to hurt.
- You tear your Achilles tendon and end up in surgery and months or rehab.
- You lose your speed and quickness and never get it back.
But with a plan to for a healthy Achilles tendon you can live the confident and active life you want.
If you want an expert to listen to your unique problems and guide you to success, a Solutions Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine physical therapist in Alexandria or Springfield, VA will create a plan specifically for you.
You’ll feel confident that you have the knowledge and ability to stay active and do all the things you want.
Call us at 703-299-3111, or click here to schedule your appointment and get started.
Working to keep you living your best life,
The Solutions Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Team
