Originally Posted by Stadjer

I've had issues with both achilles for more than ten years, but my physician is the rare kind that really communicates and takes me seriously as the one who in the end has to manage the problem. That's very helpful in case of achilles tendonitis because it's not something that comes once and then it gets cured. We made a plan together, but part of that plan is to take time for recovery when the pain is too much. Not too much to take, but it signals that it would get worse without a rest from sport.

I stretch the calfs and tendons everyday, put ice on the achilles after sports if they hurt considerably, make sure I stay hydrated and take in enough magnesium (my calfs tend to cramp and shorten otherwise, putting stress on the achilles). In the morning, just after getting out of bed is the moment when the achilles lets me know it's stressed too much. If one them still hurts/feels stiff the 3rd morning after the day I did sports, it's time for a week rest, no running or football. Of course everybody should find their own benchmark depending on their body, age and the intensity of their exercise, but I think it's a good idea to find your own benchmark for what pain/discomfort can be tolerated without making it worse, beyond quick recovery. Find out where the safe side ends.

What seems to speed up the recovery and prevents pain in my case is the shoes I wear when I'm not exercising. Boots or dress shoes with a bit of heel and/or an inlay pad takes the stress off the achilles when walking, just because the angle between calf and foot eases. Movement (blood flow) without stress really helps my achilles to stay/get back in shape for sports.