Hey all,
I'm 36, male, right-handed. 3.5 level player. So I've been playing "seriously" - league matches and tournaments for about a year and a half, and it is starting to take a toll on a few parts of my body. My right knee gets swollen, right calf gets sore, left behind the knee feels tight... all of this I can manage with icing, massage, heat pad, ibuprofen...
But what I can't handle is the chronic Achilles tendon pain. Both are pretty bad - mostly along the tendon in the middle - I can feel the knot(s). The mornings are really hard, and some days this pain really makes it hard to split step and move well. Sometimes I feel it at the heel as well.
Even after 2-3 days of rest or more, the problem still exists. I usually play about 4 days a week for about 1-2 hours. I often ice afterwards, and heat before playing. I always stretch after and have a nice slow warmup before. This has been going on for a couple of months.
Anyone have any suggestions or go through this as well? I'm thinking the problems may be related, as they are all lower leg. Perhaps more strength training on the upper legs? I want to continue playing for years to come without feeling like glass is cutting my tendons every day, and having to limp in the mornings. I've been active my whole life - running etc, and never experienced this type of affliction.
THANKS!
I'm 36, male, right-handed. 3.5 level player. So I've been playing "seriously" - league matches and tournaments for about a year and a half, and it is starting to take a toll on a few parts of my body. My right knee gets swollen, right calf gets sore, left behind the knee feels tight... all of this I can manage with icing, massage, heat pad, ibuprofen...
But what I can't handle is the chronic Achilles tendon pain. Both are pretty bad - mostly along the tendon in the middle - I can feel the knot(s). The mornings are really hard, and some days this pain really makes it hard to split step and move well. Sometimes I feel it at the heel as well.
Even after 2-3 days of rest or more, the problem still exists. I usually play about 4 days a week for about 1-2 hours. I often ice afterwards, and heat before playing. I always stretch after and have a nice slow warmup before. This has been going on for a couple of months.
Anyone have any suggestions or go through this as well? I'm thinking the problems may be related, as they are all lower leg. Perhaps more strength training on the upper legs? I want to continue playing for years to come without feeling like glass is cutting my tendons every day, and having to limp in the mornings. I've been active my whole life - running etc, and never experienced this type of affliction.
THANKS!