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The Achilles
Tendon (B) is located behind
the ankle and connects the main
calf muscles to the foot. The
upper attachment of the tendon (A)
is to the Soleus and Gastrocnemius
muscles, and the lower attachment
(C) is to the heel bone, or
calcaneous - but some fibers of the
Achilles tendon are continuous with
the plantar fascia of the
foot. The tendon is
surrounded by a thin sheath that
can become irritated and inflamed
(tendinitis) by direct contact such
as a tight shoe rubbing on the back
of the foot. The main body of
the tendon itself or the
muscle-tendon junction where the
calf muscles meet the tendon can
experience small tears from abrupt
jolts due to tight calf muscles,
rigidity of the foot , overuse or
over-training, or scar tissue
adhesion formation around the
tendon. Chronic or recurrent
Achilles tendon problems can stem
from weakness or tightness of other
leg muscles that makes push-off
with the foot during walking or
running more forceful in
compensation.
The Achilles tendon sheath, main
body of the tendon, and the
muscle-tendon junction can be
worked, along with the calf muscles
themselves. Several ART treatment
examples are shown
below.
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Underside
of the Achilles
tendon |
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Top
portion of the
Achilles tendon
toward the
calf |
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Lower
attachment at the
heel
bone |
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