Achilles heel spurs are common among many athletes and individuals with collapsed arches. Flattened plantar fascia can cause the Achilles tendon to pull off axis under flexion/extension of the posterior compartment of the lower leg. Besides leaking torque and draining efficiency out of the kinetic chain, this imbalance creates inflammation of the tendon, and the body compensates by depositing calcium on the calcaneus near the location of the inflammation. These deposits are the body’s way of creating a bridge to try and support the Achilles tendon under stress. The problem is, however, that these deposits do way more harm than good. These deposits cause degeneration of the tendon, pain, and often a rupture of the Achilles.

This type of “body compensation gone wrong” can be seen in many aspects of life. Golgi tendon receptors in the lower lumbar spine receive a signal from an inhibited erector muscle that has lain dormant for the past week of sitting in the office. This receptor’s job is to attempt to save the “endangered” muscle by contracting uncontrollably to prevent further stretching. These are muscle spasms, and they plague sedentary, non-movement conscious beings for months, even years without being solved. It is just another way that the body attempts to solve the imbalances of the body, but fails.

So how do we combat this? Simple, attack the problem at the source. These muscular imbalances downstream in the body and can explode out of the appendages with problems. For example, the collapsed arches that cause the heel spurs could have been a downstream effect of a tight piriformis, causing external rotation of the femur, valgus forces on the knee, and everted feet, causing the plantar fascia to compress, pulling the Achilles tendon off axis. Fix the piriformis, fix the issues of the entire leg. The same can be applied to the mental aspects of life. Has your life been falling apart lately? Take a fishbowl look at your life and see what you find. One simple fix can be the solution to all of your problems. Whether it’s one bad habit, or a lust for money, fix it, and reap the benefits.