End Calf-Ankle Pain

One of my favorite concepts to introduce to my clients is the “foot pump.”

In other words, our calves and feet have an natural pumping system that, when activated, allows us to stretch our calves with every step that we take.

Calf/Ankle Concept – Coordinated Muscle Teams:

— Your Muscle Team for a Run:

• Muscles to Propel Your Forward – AKA The Muscles that lay on the Back of Your Calf:

• “Up-top” Calf Muscle:  Gastrocs – Your Top-Most Calf muscle

• “Down-Under” Calf Muscle:  Soleus – Your 2nd layer Calf muscle

• “Deep-Trio” Calf Muscles: Flexor Digitorum Longus, Posterior Tibialis, Flexor Hallucis Longus Muscle – Your 3rd layer Calf muscles

• Muscles to Stabilize Your Forward Run:

• Primary Stabilizer:  Anterior Tibialis

• Back-up Stabilizers #1:  Extensor Digitorum Longus

• Back-up Stabilizers #2: Extensor Hallucis Longus Muscle

What Causes the Calf Pain?

• One way or another, the muscles on the back of our calf muscles tend to be overactive.

• What that Means is:  Anterior Tibialis

1st muscle to mis-fire:  The opposite side erectors – the muscles that should be # 3 are often vying to be #1. My clients with the greatest level of low back pain are those whose opposite side lower back erectors – in this case, the left erectors, are the 1st to fire – beating out even the hamstrings in the muscle firing order.

How do you know if you have this going on?

To get a quick idea, take your thumbs and place them on either side of your spine, just above pelvis.  If that area feels like a 1″ belt strap, you may have a muscle firing order issue.

What amazes me – And Why You Experience Low Back Pain: If you think about it, both your hamstrings and glutes are massive muscles – capable of exerting amazing levels strength

AND Yet, your low back erectors – each approximately 1″ thick are engaging with “all the strength they can muster” to take on the workload of these two muscles and propel your gait forward.  Talk about an underdog scenario!

And unfortunately, even underdogs doing the superhuman task of taking on the workload of your hams and glutes tend to get over-fatigued, arguably cranky, and undeniably painful. If you’re experiencing low back pain, I Can Help! I can also help you understand the optimal firing order for:
1. Your side-step moves on the court or field
2. Your arm movements for your best swing
3. Even the basics like lifting your head any time you get up in the morning
4. And so much more!!!

If You’re Ready to Optimize Your Body Fitness and Feel Great Again — Let’s Get Started!

Click Schedule Now here or below to schedule online or Text/ Call me , Christine Eckery, at 302-593-9262 with your date and time preferences.

You can also find me at TMBW.Massage@gmail.com

Christine The Mind Body Whisperer – Dedicated to Helping You Get Optimized for Your Favorite Sport and Pain-Free Living!