Paso 2
El problema clínico

The tibialis anterior runs down the front of the shin and lifts the foot with every step. Walking on the ball of the foot, avoiding heel contact, a rolled ankle or plain overuse fatigue it until it locks in spasm. In spasm it aches along the shin, pulls the foot into a position that rolls the ankle again, and compresses the superficial and deep peroneal nerves that supply the outside of the shin and the top and outside of the foot. Shin splints, repeated ankle sprains, outer foot pain, calf cramps and tingling or numbness across the top of the foot are the result. Releasology releases the tibialis anterior and the shin-foot complex directly, restoring the flexibility of the whole outer line of the leg.

What this release relieves

• Shin splints. The ache down the front of the shin is the tibialis anterior in spasm pulling on its attachment along the bone. It eases as the muscle releases.
• Frequent ankle rolling and inversion sprains. A tibialis anterior in spasm holds the foot turned in, so the ankle rolls again and again. Release it and the foot lands flat.
• Pain on the outside of the shin, ankle and foot. The peroneal nerves run beside this muscle; in spasm it compresses them and the outer shin and foot hurt, tingle or go numb.
• Tingling, numbness or weakness across the top of the foot and toes. That is the deep peroneal nerve under compression. Sensation and strength return as the pressure comes off.
• Instability and difficulty balancing. A foot that cannot adapt to the ground because its muscles are locked cannot balance. Stability returns with the release.
• Calf cramps and painful stiffness along the side of the body. The shin-foot complex is the bottom of the lateral line. Releasing it frees tension the whole way up the side.

Un paciente llega quejándose de dolor a lo largo del borde exterior del pie, que a veces se extiende hacia la base del dedo meñique.

La molestia puede aumentar al caminar, especialmente cuando el peso se desplaza hacia la parte exterior del pie.

La causa más común de este patrón es el espasmo del músculo abductor del dedo meñique , un músculo que recorre el borde lateral del pie y ayuda a mover el dedo meñique hacia afuera.

Cuando este músculo se tensa, puede generar tensión a lo largo del borde exterior del pie y producir dolor localizado.

Los clientes pueden experimentar:

• Dolor en la parte lateral del pie
• Sensibilidad cerca de la base del dedo meñique del pie
• molestias al impulsarse al caminar

Al liberar el músculo abductor del dedo meñique, se restablece la flexibilidad normal del lateral del pie y se elimina la tensión responsable de este patrón de dolor.

Frequently asked questions

I keep spraining the same ankle. Is it just weak?

Usually it is the tibialis anterior in spasm holding the foot turned inward, so every uneven step rolls it. Strengthening a muscle that is already in spasm does not help; releasing it does.

Are shin splints a bone problem?

The pain is at the bone, but the pull comes from the muscle attached to it. Release the muscle and the bone stops being pulled on.

Why is the top of my foot numb?

The deep peroneal nerve passes under the tibialis anterior on its way to the top of the foot. A muscle in spasm compresses it. Releasing the muscle frees the nerve.