Performance Therapy — Gastrocnemius

What is the gastrocnemius? The gastrocnemius is part of the composite muscle known as the triceps surae, which forms the prominent contour of the calf. The triceps surae comprises the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. The popliteal fossa at the back of the knee is formed inferiorly by the bellies of the gastrocnemius and plantaris, laterally by the tendon of the biceps femoris, and medially by the tendons of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus. Trigger points in the gastrocnemius are typically associated with calf pain/stiffness, nocturnal cramps, foot pain (instep), and pain in the back of the knee on mechanical activity.  ...

Treating hypertonic muscles in athletes is a vital step in helping to avoid the development of trigger points. The demands that an athlete puts on his or her body during the endless hours of training and competing can lead to ongoing hypertonicity that builds up in their muscles. In this video, Stuart Hinds demonstrates a soft-tissue approach to treating muscle hypertonicity.

Treating Gastro/Soleus - Stuart Hinds   Wherever you live or work as a therapist, you are probably surrounded by hundreds, or even thousands of youths who play soccer! Quite a number of massage/manual therapists have built successful practices by fine-tuning their skills to treat common soccer injuries. Soccer players are uniquely susceptible to muscle strains and ligament sprains due to the quick changes in direction, lateral movements, pivoting and the rapid accelerations and decelerations involved in the sport. The ankles, hamstrings, adductors (groin) and other muscles around the hip and thigh are particularly susceptible.    Most Common Soccer Injuries (Source: USYS /...