{"id":1123,"date":"2011-11-10T21:54:27","date_gmt":"2011-11-11T04:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/?p=1123"},"modified":"2011-11-28T19:20:59","modified_gmt":"2011-11-29T02:20:59","slug":"releasing-soleus-trigger-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/?p=1123","title":{"rendered":"Releasing Soleus Trigger Points"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I work with many runners in our clinic. \u00a0I often see restrictions in the soleus. \u00a0While the running community is warming up to soft tissue mobilization, many runners are still resistant to embrace it routinely and engage in it more so only when they are hurt or lacking flexibility.<\/p>\n<p>STM (soft tissue mobilization) should be part of every runner&#8217;s maintenance program. \u00a0Why? \u00a0Simply put, repetitive stress takes its toll on the body. \u00a0Rolling or releasing the tissue increases blood flow, eliminates trigger points, and facilitates optimal soft tissue mobility and range of motion.<\/p>\n<p>In the diagram below, you can see common trigger points in the soleus. \u00a0The X represents the trigger point &amp; the red shaded area is the referred pain caused by the trigger point.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1126\" title=\"soleus-muscle-trigger-point-san-jose-roman-paradigm\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/soleus-muscle-trigger-point-san-jose-roman-paradigm-300x283.jpg\" alt=\"soleus-muscle-trigger-point-san-jose-roman-paradigm\" width=\"300\" height=\"283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/soleus-muscle-trigger-point-san-jose-roman-paradigm-300x283.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/soleus-muscle-trigger-point-san-jose-roman-paradigm.jpg 418w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the case of the soleus, restricted dorsiflexion could lead to other biomechanical compensations with running. \u00a0Initially, this often creates a dysfunctional and non-painful (DN) pattern. \u00a0Over time, this may eventually become a dysfunctional and painful (DP) pattern forcing runners to seek medical care. \u00a0The terms DN and DP come from Gray Cook&#8217;s Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).<\/p>\n<p>The gait cycle is certainly altered from dysfunction in this muscle. \u00a0If ankle joint dorsiflexion is compromised (a common effect of soleus restrictions), there can be increased strain on the quads and altered movement in the hip. \u00a0Overpronation and excessive hip adduction and internal rotation are common compensations seen with running. \u00a0Other signs and pathology that may be associated with a soleus trigger point may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Plantar fasciitis<\/li>\n<li>Heel pain<\/li>\n<li>Shin pain<\/li>\n<li>Knee or hip pain<\/li>\n<li>Back pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As such, restoring mobility is important. \u00a0A recent study revealed that immediate improvement in ankle motion can be attained with just a single treatment (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/21147417\" target=\"_blank\">click here for the abstract<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>So how do you effectively resolve soft tissue issues in this area? \u00a0I suggest using a foam roller or better yet the footballer and baller block in the Ultimate 6 Kit for Runners by Trigger Point (see pic below)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1130\" title=\"block1\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/block1-247x299.jpg\" alt=\"block1\" width=\"247\" height=\"299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/block1-247x299.jpg 247w, https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/block1.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The idea is to place the footballer about 1 inch below the calf and slowly bring the knee up as you take a deep breath in. \u00a0Then, slowly relax the knee as you breath out. \u00a0Repeat for 4 repetitions and then slowly rotate the foot in a circle 4 times while keeping constant pressure on the area being worked and breathing deeply.<\/p>\n<p>This technique can be used with the foot in neutral, internal rotation and external rotation. \u00a0I find this technique superior to foam rolling due to its specificity and deep level of release. \u00a0The client can control the pressure by using the other leg or hands for more pressure. \u00a0In the photo below, there is no additional pressure being applied by the other leg.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1131\" title=\"soleus-tp-release-1\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/soleus-tp-release-1-179x300.jpg\" alt=\"soleus-tp-release-1\" width=\"179\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/soleus-tp-release-1-179x300.jpg 179w, https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/soleus-tp-release-1.jpg 383w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 179px) 100vw, 179px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brianschiff.com\/Products.asp\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a><\/strong> for more information on the Trigger Point Products I use and offer.<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I work with many runners in our clinic. \u00a0I often see restrictions in the soleus. \u00a0While the running community is warming up to soft tissue mobilization, many runners are still resistant to embrace it routinely and engage in it more so only when they are hurt or lacking flexibility. STM (soft tissue mobilization) should be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,109,7,8,12],"tags":[58,233,184,231,232,234,230],"class_list":["post-1123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fitness","category-flexibility","category-injury-prevention","category-rehab","category-running","tag-myofascial-release","tag-soft-tissue-therapy","tag-soleus","tag-soleus-injuries","tag-soleus-strain","tag-trigger-point-therapy","tag-trigger-points"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Releasing Soleus Trigger Points - Brian Schiff&#039;s Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/?p=1123\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Releasing Soleus Trigger Points - Brian Schiff&#039;s Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I work with many runners in our clinic. \u00a0I often see restrictions in the soleus. \u00a0While the running community is warming up to soft tissue mobilization, many runners are still resistant to embrace it routinely and engage in it more so only when they are hurt or lacking flexibility. 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