I have been swimming about 10 miles a week (half of my workout with soft fins - for the last 10 years). Went to foot doc today and learned I have AT (moderate), but he said NO exercise until its 75% better. No way can I NOT exercise in the summer (living in the North, we live for summer), and he included swimming. He said too much pressure on the tendon with the kicking motion. No walking, just upper body. Has anyone had AT and NOT exercised at all, esp. not swam?
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Former Member
Hi Mick, I do use my fins for half my workout, but they are very soft, especially in the heel area, barely touching the heel. I really swim poorly on the pull buoy, esp. on the backstroke. I am pretty certain it's from tennis, as it happened shortly after I started playing in the Spring. OTOH, I also got new orthotics about a few months before the AT started but the doc said they would help, not cause AT. Not sure I believe that.
Hi Mick, I do use my fins for half my workout, but they are very soft, especially in the heel area, barely touching the heel. I really swim poorly on the pull buoy, esp. on the backstroke. I am pretty certain it's from tennis, as it happened shortly after I started playing in the Spring. OTOH, I also got new orthotics about a few months before the AT started but the doc said they would help, not cause AT. Not sure I believe that.
Sounds like tennis could have caused it easily. Go with heel inserts and well padded shoes in the future. And the fins are not good for achilles tendons. You could eventually do exercises to strengthen your calves or talk to an orthopedist/Podiatrist to talk to a Physical Therapist about exercises that strengthen your calves and prevent achilles tendinitis or tendenopathy. But you do need to heal, and achilles injuries can certainly become chronic. Watch your pushoffs also since they strain the ankle if you push too hard and too consistently. They can even be avoided altogether. A good shoe insert is available from Heel that pain, an online company that sells gell inserts as well that help your achilles. I personally think a well padded running show with gel is one of the best ways to reduce inflaming achilles tendons. Don't run, and watch both kicking and push-offs since they also tax the ankle, considerably worse than the flutter kick. Kicking from the hip with no fins is likely best. You're getting good advice.
Sounds like tennis could have caused it easily. Go with heel inserts and well padded shoes in the future. And the fins are not good for achilles tendons. You could eventually do exercises to strengthen your calves or talk to an orthopedist/Podiatrist to talk to a Physical Therapist about exercises that strengthen your calves and prevent achilles tendinitis or tendenopathy. But you do need to heal, and achilles injuries can certainly become chronic. Watch your pushoffs also since they strain the ankle if you push too hard and too consistently. They can even be avoided altogether. A good shoe insert is available from Heel that pain, an online company that sells gell inserts as well that help your achilles. I personally think a well padded running show with gel is one of the best ways to reduce inflaming achilles tendons. Don't run, and watch both kicking and push-offs since they also tax the ankle, considerably worse than the flutter kick. Kicking from the hip with no fins is likely best. You're getting good advice.
Pull buoys are great, but don't overuse your shoulders. If you are over 35, be careful with hand paddles or don't use them. Switching stroke is good, but *** stroke can also be hard on a strained achilles. Back stroke without a high speed kick cadence i also an option. Of course soft soft fins are better, but I would avoid fins altogether for awhile. Achilles tendonitis can also present like Plantar fascitis as well, so be aware of that.
