Sore Or Stiff Achilles Tendon In The Morning? It's NOT Tearing. Here Are The Causes & Treatment

In this video, Maryke explains why your Achilles tendon may feel sore or stiff in the morning, what happens in the tendon, and why the common belief that your Achilles tendon is tearing when you step on it is absolute nonsense. Finally, she also discusses the best treatment options.

📽️ Other videos you may find useful:

📚 Chapters in this video:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:03 What causes a stiff or painful Achilles tendon in the morning?
00:02:43 Your Achilles tendon is NOT tearing
00:04:04 What happens inside the tendon to make it feel stiff or painful
00:06:56 The role of pain in rehab for an injured Achilles tendon
00:08:36 How to get rid of the stiffness and pain in your Achilles tendon

-------------------
🖥️Some of the software we use to run our online physiotherapy practice:

👉 Some links here are to places where you can buy something relevant. If you do, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Reference:
Cook JL, Rio E, Purdam CR, et al. Revisiting the continuum model of tendon pathology: what is its merit in clinical practice and research? British Journal of Sports Medicine 2016;50:1187-1191.

[michaellove]

She is very honest and genuine while giving good information

[billybudd]

Never had any problems while I was active. Only after sitting around being sedentary, deconditioned is when my Achilles and everything else started hurting. So I'm doing yoga, cardio and strength training.

[zeqxpyl]

With this channel, I don‘t need to see a Dr. You are so right on my case. I have made much progress, and my tendon is becoming stronger.

[ramarao]

Thanks a lot. I was experiencing Achilles tendon last two weeks and the "tear" worry was something creeping in the mind making me somewhat restless. Rather was really fearing the tear as that will stop my physical activities to good extent. Your explanation removes that fear . Thank you soooo much dear. Looks like destiny made me come across this video.

[kimlyle]

☝️ THAT'S the problem - its when I get up from resting (sitting or lying) that It's the worst.

[xbadandyx]

I've learned so much from this channel. Of all the doctors I've visited, medical posts of people's experiences on reddit.. YouTube, social media, etc. This channel and the information given on the achilles injuries is superior. Even though this injury sucks, I always feel better listening to you speak. You clearly all are very good at putting yourselves in the patients shoes because all of the things you discuss are certainly the things that go through my mind.. those things I worry about and questions I ask. Thank you so much for doing what you do. I hope I never need to get a consult with your company but its assuring knowing its an option if I can't do this on my own.

[Testeverything]

That title tag was so extremely specific and relevant that I've gotta stay and watch the video lol.

[maundymark]

Hello Marika, This video is the best analysis of achilles tendon pain and stiffness. You have been able to explain in crystal clear details of what can and what happens to most ppl who are in a similar position. Thank you for sharing the information.
I do a lot of walking and when I'm not walking I do skipping at home.
I ruptured my tendon shortly after, but was fee the pain & stiffness long before.
Thanks for the information.

[jeffreydavis]

I didn't start having this pain until I became older. True it dissipates within minutes. ❤ in any event I believe it's a condition with aging. 😮your commentary was right on point.

[sarkahalastova]

Just what I have been experiencing recently. I am so glad I came across your video.

[webbyroadtoglory]

Great advise, this has really helped with my recovery. The morning pain was something nobody had any answers to, until I found your channel. Keep up the great work, your knowledge is so helpful to many of us

[milescoleman]

This makes more sense than everything else I could find

[rwarrell]

So happy I've found this channel! I'm a trail/ ultra runner and started having problems with my Achilles like 4 years ago when I went from road running to trail running. It got to a point where I couldn't run, but I never really stopped. However, running uphill was really painful. Did PT for a while and got a lot better, I can now run with no pain, but still very painful and stiff in the morning, and the back of the heel has been swollen ever since!

[fpvaddictdad]

This is a very well done video. It describes exactly what I am going through and how to recover. Thanks.

[dilabakri]

This is exactly what I need to hear! Started playing volleyball again this month since I last played in 2009. I regularly exercise like doing HIIT, functional strength training and running. But sports is a different kind of animal after being away for that long. I’ll remind myself to take it slow, do a lot more strengthening sessions and rest more in between training days.

[bikerdude]

I'm an ultra runner . 3 weeks ago I was doing a 22 mile trail run. I began chaffing around mile 11 and my running form switched to avoid irritation. Then around mile 19, boom, I felt some pain coming from the sides of my heel and in back of the heel. I stopped running until the pain went away which took about 5 minutes . I continued running downhill with less pain. Note the day before I did intervals.
I raced a 50k the following week with some pain around my ankle and still got 9th.
3 weeks later it still lingers around my ankle and I have physical therapy in 2 days. I'm also requesting an MRI because my friend who's also a doctor and a more experienced ultra runner told me to do so
I already took xrays and nothing is broken, i did continue running easy miles with no long runs but during my runs i get pain in front of my ankle, on the interior just above my ankle and in the back of my heel. I feel like it transitions throughout my ankle. Hopefully nothing is ruptured and wont require surgery

[dmcnotme]

Thank you for so detailed explanation, it really helps knowing the problem is not so tough as our mind thinks it is.

[laowu]

Achilles himself could not have explained this better. This was super helpful. Thank you 🫶

[etiennegosselin]

Wonderful video, thanks a lot for this! Rehab my tendons, one step at a time! Merci

[Bearwitness]

I really like this channel! Her advice really helped my right Achilles feel 10 times better