The Hidden Root Cause of Chronic Achilles Injuries (And How Runners Can Heal)

If you’re a runner battling a stubborn Achilles injury, you know how frustrating it is. You rest, stretch, ice, and do your rehab… yet the pain lingers. Maybe it even keeps coming back, cutting your training short, stealing your races, and leaving you wondering if you’ll ever run pain-free again.

Here’s the Big Idea: Achilles injuries aren’t just about the tendon. The real culprit might be a hidden “Double Crush” — an impingement of the nerves, arteries, veins, and lymph vessels upstream, making the tendon weaker and more prone to tears, spasms, and strain.

Why Traditional Treatments Often Fail

Most approaches focus only on the painful area — stretching, massaging, or loading the Achilles. But if the root cause lies elsewhere (the “1° root cause”), you’ll never fully heal. It’s like bailing water from a sinking boat without plugging the leak.

Step-by-Step Healing Sequence for Runners

Follow this sequence from foot → ankle → shin → Achilles → talo-tibial joint → overall connective tissue for the best results.

1. Plantar Fascia Relief (Foot)

Next Step →

2. Ankle Strain Counterstrain Reset (Ankle)

Next Step →

3. Shin Splint Solutions (Shin)

Next Step →

4. Self-Treatment for Achilles Pain (Achilles)

Next Step →

5. Secret of the Talo-Tibial Joint Technique (Joint)

Next Step →

6. Overall Joint & Ligament Reset (Connective Tissue)

Next Step →

7. Posterior Compartment Syndrome Release (Lower Leg)

Try them in order. Notice how your body feels after each step. Does the pain shift? Does movement feel easier? That’s your body telling you you’re addressing the real problem.

Want Help Finding Your 1° Root Cause?

I’ve spent 40 years helping runners uncover the hidden sources of their injuries. Whether online over Zoom or in-person at my clinic in Bellingham, WA, I help athletes finally get to the root cause so they can run pain-free — for good.

If you’re tired of chasing symptoms and ready for real answers, reach out. Let’s find your 1° root cause and get you back on the trails so you can enjoy your life again!