Understanding Achilles Tendinopathy

You start feeling pain in your Achilles tendon– should you still go for an easy run?

Dr. Duane Scotti, DPT, PhD, OCS is a running physical therapist, Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, run coach, host of the Healthy Runner podcast, and founder of Spark Healthy Runner.

We talk about:

• Differences between Achilles tendinopathy and tendonitis
• Why you don’t need to give up running due to Achilles pain
• A pain monitoring tool to guide treatment
• Exercises for Achilles tendinopathy
• Preventative measures and shoe considerations
• Why do men 40+ suffer from this injury more often?

Share this episode with a friend who’s dealing with Achilles pain!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Duane on Instagram: @sparkhealthyrunner
• Duane on YouTube: @sparkhealthyrunner
• Duane on TikTok: @sparkhealthyrunner
• Duane’s Healthy Runner Group on Facebook
• Duane on LinkedIn
• Healthy Runner Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
• Ultimate Guide to running healthy without achilles pain: https://learn.sparkhealthyrunner.com/achilles 
• Get our free injury prevention email series at strengthrunning.com/prevention.

Thank you Ketone-IQ!

Ketone-IQ increases the levels of ketones in your blood - and raised blood ketone levels do increase focus and alertness, which is why I take a shot before every podcast recording and have for almost two years even before their sponsorship. I feel dialed in and quick for these high-stakes conversations.

There’s also promising research - and loads of anecdotal evidence - that ketone supplementation can help with recovery if taken post-exercise. I know some of the best ultra runners in the world, Boston Marathon champ Des Linden, and the pro cycling team that won the TdF in 2022 and 2023 all take ketones post-race to aid recovery.

Go to Ketone.com/strengthrunning to save 30% on your first subscription and receive a free 6-pack of Ketone-IQ and try for yourself today.

Thanks to 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com. 

Pro tip: get the caffeinated version. You'll get the vasodilatory benefits of blackcurrant berries with the powerful performance and mental benefits of caffeine.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thanks DrinkLMNT!

A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out DrinkLMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.