by Dr. Tom Lembo | 6 min read
Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that can cause significant discomfort and hinder mobility.
In this article, we will explore what tendinitis feels like, why your Achilles might hurt, and how to quickly relieve pain associated with Achilles tendinitis.
We will also discuss the role of custom orthotics in managing Achilles tendinitis and recommend three over-the-counter options.
Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick fibrous cord that attaches muscle to bone. In Achilles tendinitis, this discomfort is localized in the tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone.
Symptoms typically start as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity.
As the condition progresses, the pain can become more severe, particularly after prolonged running, stair climbing, or sprinting.
You might also experience tenderness or stiffness, especially in the morning, which generally improves with mild activity.
In some cases, the area may be hot to the touch, swollen, and red.
The Achilles tendon is designed to withstand a high degree of stress from daily activities and physical exertion.
However, it can become inflamed due to overuse or degeneration.
Some of the common causes include:
Overuse or sudden increase in activity: This often occurs in athletes who rapidly increase their running intensity or duration without adequate conditioning and stretching.
Tight or weak calf muscles: Since the Achilles tendon is connected to the calf muscles, excessive tightness or weakness can increase strain on the tendon.
Improper footwear: Shoes that do not support the arch or allow the heel to move unnaturally can put extra stress on the Achilles tendon.
Age: As we age, our tendons can become less flexible and more prone to injury.
While "fast" is a relative term when it comes to physical healing, there are several strategies that are often recommended to relieve the discomfort of Achilles tendinitis.
Please ALWAYS consult with a healthcare provider for a customized treatment plan.
Achilles tendonitis can, in some cases, be the beginning of a more serious condition, and ultimately result in a tear of the Achilles tendon if not treated properly:
Rest and Ice: Avoid activities that aggravate pain and use an ice pack on the area for 15-20 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation.
Orthotics: Orthotic shoe inserts can relieve strain on the tendon and help align the foot properly. A custom or over the counter orthotic with a heel lift can often provide quick relief of Achilles tendonitis pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical Therapy: Specific exercises can strengthen the calf muscles, reducing stress on the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist, podiatrist, or orthopedist can help you decide which stretches and exercises are right for you.
Orthotics can play a significant role in managing Achilles tendinitis pain. They work by correcting foot alignments and biomechanical imbalances, reducing the strain on the Achilles tendon.
Orthotics can also provide better arch support, distribute pressure more evenly across your foot, and limit excessive motion that might be contributing to your discomfort.
A significant feature of many orthotics aimed at relieving Achilles tendinitis pain is a heel lift.
A heel lift is an elevation in the rear part of the insole. It can be either built into the orthotic itself or added as a separate component.
The heel lift works by slightly raising the heel, thereby shortening the Achilles tendon and reducing the strain on it during movement.
Orthotic inserts with a heel lift may be most helpful, and are commonly recommended, in relieving "insertional" Achilles tendonitis. This is a common form of Achilles tendonitis that is present at the back of the heel, where the tendon attaches to the heel bone.
The higher up the leg the Achilles tendon discomfort is, the less likely a heel lift orthotic insert may be helpful. Always ask your physician, podiatrist, or physical therapist if this may be right for you.
It is also imperative to determine that you do not have an Achilles tendon tear with a medical professional.
#1- Samurai Insoles Shoguns ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why are Samurai Insoles Shoguns our top pick for 2025 for Achilles tendinitis pain?
✔️ Design:Samurai Insoles Shoguns are one of the few products on the market that are an ACTUAL ORTHOTIC that is not super rigid. This gives your feet the support they need to comfortably relieve Achilles tendonitis pain.
They also can be worn in nearly ANY shoe with a removable insole, giving you the flexibility of using them in many types of shoes!
And the best part?
Because they aren't an insole made of foam and fabric, they last SO LONG!
There isn't anything to wear out, just put them under the factory insoles of a new pair of shoes and you're good to go.
✔️ Price: At $39.99 these are an absolute steal! People routinely pay over $500 for custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis. For less than 1/10 the price, these can be nearly as good.
✔️ Amazing Return Policy/Warranty: Samurai Insoles Shoguns have a 60 day return policy. You can literally wear them for 59 days, decide they don't work for you, and send them back for a full refund. Ninjas also have a ONE YEAR WARRANTY! No other product we reviewed even comes CLOSE to this type of guarantee.
✔️ Made in the USA: Samurai Insoles are made in an orthotic lab in the USA. The fact that an American-made orthotic can be purchased for under $40 is incredible.
If you've been on the internet in the last year, you haven't sneezed without seeing a Protalus ad. They are comfy and can be very beneficial for flat feet. Protalus' hefty price tag remains their biggest negative.
✔️ Design:Protalus "kind of" has an orthotic merged with an insole. Protalus took a different approach by combining a thick piece of plastic on the bottom of the insole, instead of inside. This can do the job in some circumstances, but it also makes them thicker than Samurai Insoles, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit in well.
❌Price: Here's the problem with Protalus; they're so expensive! At the time of writing this the current retail is $64.95. Oof. For that kind of money you'd better REALLY love them. It also reduces the chances you'd buy a whole bunch of them to put in all of your shoes.
✔️90 Warranty: Protalus products have a 90 day warranty. It's not one year like the Samurai Insoles Ninjas, but better than nothing...
❌Made in the USA: Protalus insoles are NOT made in the USA unfortunately. For the price we had hoped they were.
Superfeet have been around a LONG time. They got their start being sold in retail sporting goods stores, and have transitioned to selling online in recent years, but this has presented the company with some challenges.
✔️ Design: If you've checked out the Protalus design, just know that the Superfeet did it first. They were one of the first to incorporate an orthotic plastic layer on the outside of the insole. Once again, this does the job, but it also makes them thicker than the Samurai, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit well in.
✔️ Price: Superfeet are borderline in the pricey range, current retail at the time of writing this article is $54.95
✔️ 60 Day Warranty: Superfeet green insoles come with a 60 day warranty, significantly less than Samurai Insoles Ninjas or Protalus products.
❌ Made in the USA: Superfeet are not made in the USA unfortunately. Once again, for this price we had hoped they would be.
✔️ Design: Not a full-length insole, but still designed to be placed on top of your shoe's factory insoles, which may make it difficult for some people to adjust to the feel. Once again, Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit combines a thick piece of plastic to the bottom of the insole, instead of inside the insole itself.
❌ Price: Dr. Scholl's Custom fit Orthotic Inserts currently are our second most expensive selection. At the time of this article they have a retail price of approximately $60
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholls Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's "Custom fit" Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
❌ Design: Regrettably, there is not much to be said. Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis consist of a very thin insole with equally thin piece of plastic attached to the bottom. It is uncertain how much weight they can support before losing their shape, but it appears that their capacity is limited.
✔️ Price: Well, at least they're affordable at $15! You may just get what you pay for however.
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
Whichever you choose to fight your achilles tendon pain, choose now!
The longer you allow achilles pain to linger, the harder it is to get rid of, and the longer it will take!
Best,
Dr. Tom Lembo
We, Samurai Wellness, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking toAmazon.com and affiliated sites. Samurai Insoles are branded products made by our company, Samurai Wellness, LLC, and we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! This article is a promotion of the Samurai Insoles branded products that we sell. It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.