KT Tape: Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscles to the heel and is active during almost all activities including walking, jumping, and swimming. This dense tendon can withstand large forces, but can become inflamed and painful during periods of overuse. Pain results from inflammation (tendonitis) or a degenerating tendon (tendinosis).

Tendinitis typically develops after abrupt changes in activity or training level, use of poorly fit or worn footwear, or training on uneven or dense running surfaces. Overuse prior to sufficient training is generally the cause. This is due to forces 8-10 times the body weight acting on the tendon during physical activity.

Achilles injuries range from inflammation to a breakdown in the tendon. Pain is generally felt low on the back of the heel due to the low vascularity and susceptibility for inflammation. Pain higher on the Achilles is generally more muscular pain and less tendonitis. If swollen spots or knots are found along the tendon, or if the tendon feels jagged, cease activity and seek professional medical care.

Along with proper rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medication, KT Tape can help relieve this pain and reduce the inflammation along this crucial tendon. Though even walking can become painful with Achilles injuries, KT Tape can get you moving again.

[ala-bplj]

in India we rub 3part Haldi (turmeric) Power mixed with one part water (or elephant saliva) onto the affected area. It does nothing.

[cindyleoppky]

I tried this and, surprisingly, it worked!! I’m still in awe that I can walk up and down the stairs without worrying about my Achilles tendon. Thank you so much for this video!

[shevetlevi]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! About a month ago my wife injured her heel walking about a mile in the soft sand of a Cape Cod tidal flat. The pain at its worst was an 8 out of 10. It's since calmed down to a solid 3. Not disabling but a solid nuisance.
She just got it diagnosed a couple of days ago; insertional calcific tendonosis. Her doctor recommended different shoes and other things but never mentioned KT tape. I've had a lifetime of sports injuries and as I"m getting older degenerative changes in my knees, shoulders and hips but I remain very determined and active in my sport. Anyway I've had great success with KT tape on whatever joint I used it so I taped her heel according to your video and her pain within 15 minutes went to zero and has stayed that way.
Thanks to whoever developed this simple, non-invasive, safe and cost-effective treatment modality and thanks to you for demonstrating its application.

[flags]

My wife’s physical therapist always tapes her and it helps sooo much. I found this video and bought some KT tape so I could do it for her. Your demo is exactly how the Physical Therapist does it. She must have learned from you. Thank you so very much.

[emmatalmadge]

Out of the dozens of videos I’ve watched this was the most informative one I found. Thank you.

[Diarmuhnd]

I just found out i got old and my "exercising" is leading to all these painful discoveries.
Thanks for good tutorials on taping up properly. 👍

[samanthaconverse]

Ive had achilles tendonitis for the last 6 months due to a pretty strenuous running schedule. After long run days I could hardly walk down my stairs in the morning. I ran a 12K yesterday with KT tape for the first time and this morning there is very minimal pain. Its not a cure by any means, but it helped tremendously. I'm very pleased with this stuff. I'm definitely going to keep using it, because my assumption is that it will help make that tendon stronger over time and the pain will continue to decrease.

[burtbrooks]

This is my go to, I do soooo much walking at my job on rough un even terrain and my tendons kill me this tape is a life saver👍👍👍

[aaronanderson]

Dont know if its really helping or I just think it does. Applied it haphazardly when i first got it then watched this video and my achilles pain is reduced by 70% Thank you!

[nancyhuard]

Thank you Chris Harper, your directions are the best.

[alexoborne]

This was very helpful. I’m a hockey player that is currently suffering from Achilles pain and had to cut my hockey season short due to this injury

[vixterrawks]

I have an iffy left Achilles due to an old hockey injury and I wrap the second piece AROUND the ankle at the point of pain and it works better than the video’s instructions.

[TheWulfbane]

Id like to throw in my 2 cents real quick. Ive been starting to deal with the achilles tendonitis thing for only a couple of weeks, not knowing that was what I had. I work as a steel worker and its just a lot of up and down ladders and carrying heavy objects. In trying to find a solution to my pain I came across this video. I dont have any KT Tape, (yet) but because of my job I have a bunch of electrical tape. I fallowed the same instructions and the pain just went away. I never thought it would be so immediate! As a quick solution my electrical tape saves me until payday, when im actually going to buy some of this tape. Thanks!

[eblackce]

Be careful if you tape the bottom of the foot if you are planing on running or hiking. The tape pulls back and your toes want to pull the muscles in the opposite direction. Can feel like you tearing something. Maybe trying minimal tension could help...

[pf]

THe advantage of the tape is that it does not create bulk or wrinkles, but beside that the use once, throw away tape is expensive and I don't see how it has any more support than a regular wrap or a velcro tape system that can be reused over and over. Again, please cite studies to show the advantage of this system over other reusable systems. Thanks!

[coreysmith]

I dont get why its better with the foot dorsiflexed. Shouldnt we be trying to protect the achiles feom over stretching?

[hollyobrien]

Chris your videos are wonderful, thank you! I've used your "how to's" on my elbows, knees, feet - all of which extremely helpful in getting me back into action again. You're the best!

[ritamyers]

Going to wrap mine this evening. The pain has been horrible. Thank you for this video.

[connieandry]

If pain is present only at insertion point of achilles to heel on outer side, do I only use one piece of the small tape? I love KT Tape and Chris is the best. Saved my knees as well. Hope it helps this new ankle pain.

[nicaheat]

This is exactly what I need to do. I will try it over the weekend and see how it works. I am on therapy for the pain but I think this can be helpful too.