Underneath the big calf muscles lie three deeper ones: the tibialis posterior and the long flexors of the toes and big toe. They run behind the inner ankle into the arch and the underside of the toes, and they are the muscles that hold the arch up. When they fatigue into spasm from long standing, walking on hard floors or unsupportive shoes, tension locks from deep in the calf, behind the inner ankle, along the arch and into the toes. The arch collapses, the plantar fascia is pulled tight, the inner ankle aches and the foot feels unstable and tired. Releasology releases the deep posterior calf complex directly, restoring the arch and the free movement of the ankle and toes.

What this release relieves

• Flat feet and arch collapse. The arch is held by the tibialis posterior. In spasm it cannot hold; released, it lifts the arch again.
• Pain behind the inner ankle. The deep calf tendons pass behind the inner ankle bone; tenderness there is those muscles in spasm pulling through their tendons.
• Arch pain, plantar foot pain and plantar fasciitis. The deep calf feeds tension straight into the plantar fascia. Many plantar fasciitis cases release only when this layer does.
• Deep calf pain and tightness behind the ankle. Aching deep inside the calf that the surface muscles do not explain is this layer.
• Pain under the toes and foot fatigue when walking or pushing off. The long toe flexors run under the toes; released, the toes move freely and the foot stops tiring.
• Foot instability. A collapsed, locked arch cannot adapt to the ground. Stability returns with the arch.

A client walks in complaining of deep calf pain, tightness behind the ankle, or aching that extends into the arch of the foot. They may notice discomfort when walking, especially when pushing off the ground, and in some cases the bottom of the foot becomes painful or fatigued.

 

Stretching the superficial calf muscles often provides little relief because the tension originates deeper within the leg.

The underlying cause frequently lies in the deep posterior calf muscles, which include:

• Tibialis posterior
• Flexor digitorum longus
• Flexor hallucis longus

 

These muscles lie beneath the larger calf muscles and run down the back of the lower leg. Their tendons travel behind the medial ankle and wrap underneath the foot before attaching to the toes and arch.

 

Because of this unique pathway, these muscles play a critical role in supporting the arch of the foot and controlling the toes during walking.

 

When these muscles enter spasm, tension travels along their tendons as they pass beneath the ankle and into the foot. This can produce pain not only in the calf but also along the medial ankle and plantar surface of the foot.

 

Clients may experience:

• deep aching in the calf
• pain behind the inner ankle
• tension along the arch of the foot
• fatigue or discomfort when walking

 

Since these muscles help maintain the arch, chronic spasm can also contribute to collapse of the arch and instability of the foot.

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Releasing the deep posterior calf muscles relieves tension along the tendon pathways, restores normal movement of the ankle and toes, and often eliminates the deep calf and plantar foot pain associated with this pattern.

Frequently asked questions

I was told my flat feet are structural and I need orthotics for life. Is that true?

Some arches are built low, but many collapse because the muscle that holds them up is in spasm and cannot do its job. When the tibialis posterior is released and the arch lifts, the collapse was muscular.

How does this relate to the plantar fasciitis release?

The plantar intrinsic muscles (Modality 33) sit under the fascia itself; the deep calf feeds tension into the fascia from above. Persistent plantar fasciitis usually needs both released.

Why does the inside of my ankle hurt with no injury?

The tendons of the deep calf wrap behind the inner ankle bone. A muscle in spasm keeps its tendon under constant tension there, and the ankle aches. It settles as the muscle releases.