Grettings all!
I am a 43-yr old male in decent shape who has been a moderate runner
for 25 years (never obsessive about it, though). I had been having
some slight achilles pain in one leg for a while, and then, after
changing my running routine a little about six months ago, I detected
an increase in the problem, and I experienced the problem in both legs.
I quit running completely in December (4 months ago). I got a new dog
in February, and although I had quit doing long walks for a while, I
have been walking regularly now for a couple months (I live in a hilly
wilderness area, so the walks are relatively strenuous as far as walks
go).
I have iced and compressed sporadically, but have never really seen the
benefit of those activities, so I haven't stuck with it. Compressing
seemed to make the problem worse actually (feel free to advise me on
that point...when and for how long am I supposed to compress?)
I really don't know how to gauge my recovery...I've certainly improved,
but I still get some pain and stiffness when I get up after sitting in
one position for a while (like at computer, or after long car drive),
so I know I am not all better, but I'd really like to start exercising
again, and work back towards trying to return to running. I will be
getting a small pool by the summer, so I can do aqua-aerobics then, but
at present I do have a Nordic-Track that I can use (but which I haven't
used since I quit exercising in December). Although it may not be as
good as elliptical exercise devices or swimming, is it generally okay
to use the Nordic-Track if one is trying to recover from an achilles
injury? I really want to avoid muscular atrophy.
Thanks for any advice!
Chuck