Common Conservative Treatment Methods Recommended Include:

• Rest - This is important for initial recovery for both Midpoint and Insertional Achilles Tendonitis; rest and elevation will help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in the early stages of injury. This can be difficult when you have to carry on with daily activities, but resting and elevating your foot whenever you can is recommended. During your recovery you will probably have to modify or avoid the activities that put stress on your Achilles tendon until your pain and inflammation settles. Too much rest can also be harmful to achilles injuries because ankle joint immobility can actually cause stiffening in the joint. This is why rest should be used when reducing initial pain and swelling, but should not be considered for more long-term conservative treatment.

• Avoid Activities that Caused Your Injury - While resting your injury it's also important to avoid all activities that may have caused your tissue damage (especially any repetitive movement). Continuing on with regular activities can increase the severity of your injury, turning a mild to moderate case of tendon damage into a downward spiral of worsening damage that may eventually severely impact your life. Also, trying to 'work around' your injury will eventually give rise to over-compensation injuries in other areas of your body.
• Use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack - Cold is very effective at reducing pain and inflammation - use at the onset of the injury and during flareups.
• Use Circulation Boost (TShellz Wrap^®) - after swelling and inflammation has been reduced. You can use your own blood flow to maximize your rehabilitation, maintain healthy blood flow to your achilles and heel, decrease recovery time, and boost the bodys healing rate. Promoting blood flow to your achilles will help to minimize the growth of scar tissue, increase flexibility and help prevent atrophy.
• Rehabilitative Stretching under supervision of a PT or doctor. The intent of this is to provide you with increased range of motion, pain relief and strengthening of the surrounding tissue of the joint. Doctors or surgeons typically won't perform a surgery until they feel that their patient has put effort into treating their injury with conservative treatment methods. This may include up to 4 to 6 months of visits to a PT clinic. If you haven't experienced any improvement in your condition during that time then surgery may be considered. Agressive PT approaches may focus on forced or manual manipulation of the achilles - this means your physical therapists will be trying to move your achilles past the point of comfort as they strive to increase range of motion and prevent further atrophy. This can be painful and end up making your injury worse if not done correctly. (reference: 1)
• Stretching - Stretching your joint in PT and at home will help you to regain your range of motion much faster than not stretching at all. Stretching in many ways is key maintaining good Range of Motion (ROM) in your joint, and stretching can be made much easier with use of a TShellz Wrap^® before to warm up soft tissue, and a Cold Compress or Ice Pack treatment after to prevent any return of swelling and inflammation.

Be Careful About Casts

For acute (new or recent) Achilles tendon tears that have the ability to heal on their own - your doctor may even cast your foot in a toe pointed position (in something called a "hanging enquinus cast") or in a removable brace/splint. A removable splint can be very helpful to prepare you for PT sessions and mobility exercises.

Prolonged use of a cast, removable splint, or long-term rest (restricted movement) without proper exercise or stretching can make your Achilles tendon injury worse. If your Achilles tendon remains completely immobilized and at constant rest, the ends of the Achilles tendon (where it attaches to bone or other muscles) will begin to fill in with scar tissue as part of the healing process. You may also have on-going symptoms of pain, swelling and inflammation, and even poor blood flow circulation.

Lack of proper blood flow and growth of scar tissue will decrease the natural length of the tendon (atrophy) and tighten tissue, reducing the flexibility between your ankle and foot. Your ability to push off with your foot in certain activities such as running, jumping, or going up and down stairs all become compromised. You are also at an increased risk of re-rupture of the tendon, especially if the initial injury was large and required surgery in the first place.

Achilles Supports and Exercises

Your doctor may encourage you to use a splint or brace. This will gently add compression to the muscles in the lower leg and support the tendons in the achilles and ankle. Most physicians caution you in not wearing a brace too frequently, as soft tissue stretching and healing can be compromised. In some cases, prolonged use of a brace may cause increased secondary conditons such as pinched nerves and interruption to the blood flow to the joint.

Restoring Flexibility and Strength in the Lower Leg

PT is a very helpful way to decrease pain in the soft tissue, restore strength to atrophied muscles and improve ankle, heel and leg strength and mobility. Your PT will start you on a program will be tailored for your achilles tendon injury.

Once your pain starts to reduce, a PT will also set up an individualized strengthening and stretching exercise program for you to perform at home or in the gym.

This will be based on your needs and abilities, and will help you return to performing your normal routines.

A trained PT will help to ensure your rehabilitation process is effective. For best, long term results use the TShellz Wrap^® before undergoing PT to gain residual elongation and extensibility of collagen tissue. (reference: Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition [amazon.com link] Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin)

As you start to return to your activities, it is good to gauge how well you are using your achilles in these activities to determine if you can decrease stress on the injured tissue. This may involve changing your technique for sports to reduce the singular stresses on the recovering tendon.

You may also need to change equipment you use at your job or at home to help you perform tasks more effectively and safely. More frequent short breaks (and even stretches) at work are usually very helpful, as this allows your body a chance to relax and take some strain off your stressed soft tissue.

It is important to speak with a medical professional or occupational therapist to get more information about proper equipment, procedures and tools necessary for the specific activity you participate in or the office/work setting you work in during your normal daily life.

Lifelong Health

The best way to manage the health of your body is to understand the tools for a healthy lifestyle. Using proven conservative treatments, alternative therapies, protection, and self-management (diet, rest, exercise), you can proactively manage your own recovery. Your lifelong health depends on your commitment to living a healthy and safe lifestyle.

You may have to modify some of your activities or movements during your recovery to ensure the long term health of your achilles. Even if you are already feeling less pain and greater mobility, you need to continue with your treatment plan. Until your ankle is healed, you are still at risk for further damage. Keep in mind, the longer you wait to treat your tendon injury, the greater the potential for re-injury or for permanent damage to occur.

Most often, more serioius achilles injuries are developed after ignoring your body's warning signs. Masking pain and immobility or continuing strenuous repetitive movements cause micro tears to form in your tendons. If your body is not given a chance to heal, scar tissue will form. This weak, inflexible tissue will cause chronic tendonosis symptoms that include constant pain and functional restriction.

Most cases of minor achilles injuries are completely treatable by conservative therapies. If you want to continue to enjoy your activities, sports, or have a physically demanding job, committing yourself to a conservative treatment routine, as soon as possible, will increase your chances of a full recovery.

Conservative Treatment Stage 1: Reduce The Initial Inflammation

Stage 1: If the injury is very recent - use a good quality cold pack and Arnica Pain Relief Cream. If the injury has been going on for awhile, then skip to Stage 2 below.

An injured Achilles tendon will receive very little blood flow; this occurs because swelling and inflammatory symptoms restrict that blood flow. Couple that with the fact that your Achilles tendon receives very little blood flow to begin with, and you can start to see why this can be a major problem. In most tendonosis cases, however, the tendon is not inflamed - in such cases the use of cold compression is relatively ineffective as there is little or no swelling to be dealt with.

If you are experiencing pain and swelling in the very early stages of the injury (first 48 to 72 hours), the first step in a conservative treatment protocol would be to focus on reducing the discomfort by applying a quality cold pack to the injured achilles along with a high quality pain relief cream such as our Arnica Infusion Cream.

If you are experiencing pain and swelling, not only will you use your cold pack for the first 48 to 72 hours after the injury, but you should also use it during other stages of the healing process. Some examples include...

• after any activity that stresses the achilles in a moderate way. It is wise to quickly apply cold to not only reduce the pain, but to also minimize tissue damage that may have occurred during the prior event.
• If you have a job that requires you to place some demands on your injured ankle. If that is the case, use cold immediately following work and if the opportunity allows - use it for 15 to 20 minutes during lunch or another break time.
• If you are in a post-operative situation where cold compression would be utilized heavily for at least the first few weeks following the procedure. Similarly, if you are scheduled for upcoming surgery, then you will find a Cold Compress or Ice Pack helpful as well.

Having a Cold Compress or Ice Pack available at home to use if and when the need arises is helpful. Many of you already do so. If not, here are samples of wraps that might interest you via amazon. (they open in new tab) Please note, we are not condoning specific brands, nor do we make any claim about their efficacy - they are just examples.

Having a Cold Compress or Ice Pack available at home to use if and when the need arises is helpful. Many of you already do so. Often, too many people over-focus on cold while ignoring the most critical aspect to healing - nourishing injured tissue with a strong blood flow - the body's healing capability is generally dependent on blood flow..

Stage 2: Focus on Increasing Blood Flow To The Injured Tissue - This Is Key Throughout The Recovery

Even though the concept is simple, improving blood flow to injured tissues can be difficult. When the injury is achilles related, the challenges are even greater. Traditional methods require your muscles and tendons to move to promote blood flow (exercise), but that same motion that promotes blood flow can at times lead to making your pain and condition worse.

• Have you reinjured your achilles by getting back on your feet too quickly?
• How many times in the past have you aggravated your achilles just trying to perform basic tasks around the home?
• Is your debilitated achilles preventing you from work or activities you love to do?

Most people we deal with tell us these scenarios have happened to them many times in the past. Perhaps it has already happened to you.

Promoting blood flow within a muscle or soft tissue injury to help the body heal itself is a concept that has been utilized for centuries. This is where the focus has to be if you are seeking long-term improvement.

Oxygen and nutrients, carried within the blood, are critical for the body to heal itself. Without proper blood flow, recovering from an injury or condition will be delayed...sometimes for a very long period of time.

The real challenge is how do you promote blood flow to the achilles injury site without causing further injury? This goal is further complicated by the fact the achilles (and muscles controlling the ankle joint) are involved every physical movement we perform each day if we are on our feet.

An injury that often leads to straining in other areas will make an overall recovery hard to initiate. People tend to "chase the pain", meaning they only focus on treating an area that is actively painful, while not taking into account the fact they other areas of the body will be overcompensating...eventually leading to issues in those areas as well.

The TShellz Wraps^® modus operandi is to increase blood flow and heat in the targeted treatment area, resulting in relaxation of the vessel walls. The vessels then gently expand, allowing for more nutrient rich blood to reach the damaged tissues. Plus, the enhanced blood flow helps in flushing waste and fluid build-up from the injury site - further enhancing the ability of the body to heal.

With a TShellz Wrap^® application, more blood begins to flow effectively to tissue within the body - for the length of the treatment and a short duration thereafter. Deep tissue needs the extra blood flow to heal as it is through the blood the body carries the oxygen and nutrients needed for proper and long-term healing.

TShellz Wrap^® = Accelerated Blood Flow

The intent of an Achilles TShellz Wrap^® is to ease pain by dilating blood vessels, decrease stiffness by elongating soft tissue, improve blood circulation, and boost metabolism and enzyme activity. In stimulating localized blood flow to damaged soft tissue, you provide needed oxygen and nutrients to grow strong healthy collagen. In addition, you will experience a clearing of toxins and excess fluid build up from the injury site. Over the intermediate term, this helps to reduce incidents of swelling as trapped fluids will be whisked away - reducing pressure on blood vessels.

Using the TShellz Wrap^® is truly a unique experience. Within moments of applying a treatment to your achilles, you can feel the healing sensation due to the increase in blood flow within the area. During a treatment, and for quite some time after you finish, the treated area will feel relaxed and warm. It's a very soothing sensation and extremely effective. Blood flow in this area is key, as the Achilles tendon receives very little blood flow to begin with.

Who Should Use the Achilles TShellz Wrap^®

We recommend the use of an Achilles TShellz Wrap^®:

• If you have injured your achilles or other soft tissue in the back of your heel, then the Achilles TShellz Wrap^® will provide the all-important function of boosting blood circulation where it is needed most.
• If you are dealing with conditions affecting your range of motion such as impingement or even arthritis.
• If you have a chronic achilles condition that has lasted for years- this device is intended to kick start the recovery process and help strengthen the surrounding and supporting tissues. Many of our past clients had suffered for years, then were completely amazed at the results only after a few months of treatments.
• If you are still working with an injured achilles, the TShellz Wrap^® will help relax injured soft tissue prior to work and after a day at the job.
• If you are still trying to enjoy your favorite activities such as gardening, tennis, golf, etc - use the TShellz Wrap^® prior to activity to help reduce chances of re-injuring or re-aggravating those targeted tissues.
• If you are suffering from bursitis and want to treat a major source of it (secondary damage to the muscle and tendon surrounding the bursa sac). Through overuse or degenerative changes in the lower leg, the muscle and tendons surrounding the bursa sacs will tighten and constrict. When they do, they place pressure on the bursa, causing it to become irritated. Applying a TShellz Wrap^® to the achilles helps relax soft tissue, taking pressure off the bursa.
• If you are experiencing atrophy in your lower leg and want to reduce the chance of re-injury - this is a perfect treatment to use on a regular basis, by enhancing blood flow and elongating soft tissue.
• If you have been to a clinic for some form of massage or stretching and your PT or physician has recommended conservative treatments for home.
• If you have injured your achilles and need surgery, then you will find a blood circulation booster to be a powerful tool after surgery to help surgically repaired tissues recover for long-term health. (once the surgery wound has healed and your physician has given the ok)
• If you are experiencing tightness in your muscle(s) and want to reduce the chance of re-injury while stretching - we recommend the use of a TShellz Wrap^® before you stretch.

What Else Makes the Achilles TShellz Wrap^® So Special?

We can promise that you will receive a product that is designed to be safe and does what it is supposed to do...quickly relieve pain, induce greater blood flow in the treatment area and temporarily enhance soft tissue flexibility.

The unit plugs into a standard wall outlet to get its power. The nice thing about the power supply is that the same unit can be used in North America and overseas as well. It has the capability to operate between 110v and 230v.

The TShellz Wrap^® has a special signal controller that can be set for 3 different power levels of application (3=High, 2=Medium, 1=Low). The cord is long enough that you can sit or lie comfortably and watch TV, read or surf the net while you're using it.

Treatments are max 30 minutes in duration and the device can be worn over clothing. This allows you to use the device at work, at home, or really anywhere you have access to an electrical outlet.

A Recap of the Benefits of the Achilles TShellz Wrap^®..

• It can be used before activity or exercise to warm up tissue in the back of the lower leg/heel to reduce the risk of further injury
• FDA Registered medical device for use in home or clinics - very high quality
• Temporarily increases flexibility and length of soft tissue (reducing the re-injury factor)
• It soothes pain and whisks away toxins
• Carbon fiber Energy Pad is strong, lightweight, and flexible - contours very easily
• A boost in blood flow helps maximize the body's ability to recover from soft tissue damage. This can be beneficial in saving time and money when associated with doctor or physical therapist visits
• A boost in blood flow will maximize the body's ability to recover quickly. This can be beneficial in achilles post-surgery rehabilitation, getting you back to work faster. Do not use until at least 6 weeks after surgery, and only after approval from your doctor.

Stage 3 - In Between Treatments With TShellz Wrap^®, Apply Our New Fast Acting Pain Relief Cream Called ARNICA INFUSION

Dealing with aches and pains affecting the foot, ankle, leg, knee, hamstring, hip, back, arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand? If so, then applying the Arnica Infusion to any of these targeted areas will bring about fast relief from the pain and sore tissues. Simply apply a small amount of cream to the body and moments later, you will experience a soothing and comforting sensation over the area.

Arnica Infusion is specially designed to relieve pain due to sore muscles and joints associated with arthritis, backaches, sprains, strains, and bruises. No matter if you are dealing with an acute injury, chronic pain, or a general "flare-up" - you will experience fast relief from pain and inflammation.

This is a product that many of our current MendMeShop customers asked us to develop. So we focused our time and resources over the past few years and came up, with we believe, will be one of more effective, fast acting, topical pain relief creams on the market.

You are likely familiar with some of the standard topical agents on the market as most of our customers use them. The are mass marketed and even found in most department stores now.

Well, we are here to say that Arnica Infusion goes many steps beyond what they offer.

Made in the USA at an FDA registered manufacturing facility, you can be assured that Arnica Infusion is both safe and effective. We only source top grade ingredients while implementing strict quality control checks during every step of the production process. Expect the same high quality that MendMeShop customers have been accustomed to since we started the company in 2005.

The "Cool Blue" formula is the perfect balance between the smooth application of a cream and the effective absorbing factor of a gel. It is not too thick and not too thin - just the right texture. Best of all, it feels very nice on the skin!

Each application of Arnica Infusion feels so comforting and soothing, we are certain it will become an item you will not want to live without.

Arnica Infusion Ingredients

The Arnica Infusion formula is based on a combination of scientific research and the use of high quality ingredients. The properties within the formula were chosen for their pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and soothing qualities.

The acting ingredients within the formula include ones many of us are familiar with; along with ones that have not received a lot of publicity (only in research circles). Extensive testing resulted in a blending of ingredients that provides the most synergistic of benefits.

The notable ingredients in the Arnica Infusion formula include:

• Arnica - powerful anti-inflammatory, speeds recovery, enhances circulation
• Menthol - provides deep penetrating pain relief with a nice cooling sensation
• Vitamin B6 - promotes normal nerve function
• MSM - supports healthy connective tissues, anti-inflammatory
• Ilex Leaf Extract - increases circulation, skin conditioner
• Vitamin E - anti-inflammatory, enhances circulation, hydrates the skin
• Aloe - anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the skin
• Tea Tree - enhances penetration of ingredients

Extensive quality control procedures during the manufacturing process ensure the ingredients and final product are both safe and effective. We would not stake our reputation on anything but the best.

When Do I Apply the Arnica Infusion?

While At Work

Apply Arnica Infusion at work to help reduce acute discomfort associated with overuse of muscles and joints. No matter if you are in a physical demanding job or work within an office environment, you will be placing stress on different parts of the body and aches and pains will result.

Before Or After Work, Sports, & Activity

If you suffer from a sprained ligament, pulled muscle, strained tendon, or even bruising - apply Arnica Infusion for quick relief of the pain.

Chronic Pain Suffering

Application of Arnica Infusion can be done up to a maximum of 4 times per day on a consistent basis to help bring about relief from various pains and aches.

In-between Treatments With the TShellz Wraps^®

Follow up your TShellz and Cold treatments with an application of Arnica Infusion. Combine the pain relieving benefits of Arnica Infusion along with the therapeutic benefits of the wraps to make your recovery go much more smoothly.

Do not apply Arnica Infusion within a 2 hour timespan before a TShellz Wrap^® treatment.

Whether you decide to use the Arnica Infusion in conjunction with the T-Shell and other treatments - or if you decide to use the cream as a stand-alone product - you will not be disappointed with the results. We guarantee it.

Other Achilles Tendon Treatment Options

There are many things that can ease the pressure on your Achilles Tendon as you recover. Your doctor will have looked at the structure of your foot and ankle to give you the best possible solution that works for you. The goal of using the following treatments are typically to provide support or increase blood circulation to injuried soft tissue.

• Wearing heel pads to reduce strain on your tendon
• Tendon strengthening exercises/stretching
• Maintain flexible calf muscles
• Manual treatments - refers to "hands on" treatments including acupressure, massage and Shiatsu
• Taping (wrapping special tape around your heel and the back of your leg/foot)
• Shoe inserts/orthotics
• A plaster cast - in certain cases
• Surgery - if all other methods of treating the tendonitis fail. Keep in mind that if you have completely ruptured your tendon, it requires surgery to be corrected.

How Do I Prevent Achilles Tendon Injuries From Happening?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Some methods of preventing Achilles tendon injuries include:

• Using a TShellz Wrap on your ankle before exercising, and a Cold Compress or Ice Pack after exercising.
• Increasing exercise intensity slowly - to condition your tendon to higher levels of exertion/stress.
• Stretching your tendon before and after exercise (warm up and cool down).
• Wearing shoes that fit correctly (cushioning under the heel and proper arch height) and support your feet.
• Running on softer, flat terrain is advisable to avoid injuring or re-injuring your Achilles tendon.