The big muscle at the back of the lower leg is called the Gastrocnemius.   It’s the muscle that’s visible from the outside of the body. Under it, and further down the leg is a smaller muscle called the Soleus.

The larger and most superficial of the two muscles, the Gastrocnemius, attaches to the heel with the Achilles Tendon and originates behind the knee on the femur, crossing two joints.  The Gastrocnemius is the main propellant in walking and running.

The Soleus is used constantly in standing to maintain an upright position, and attaches below the knee joint and also to the heel using the Achilles. The Soleus is not visible when looking at the body from the outside as it lies underneath the Gastrocnemius on the rear of the lower leg.

Either or both of these two muscles can be strained or torn.

Both muscles act to plantar flex the ankle which means it’s used to point the foot away from the body.  Attaching above the knee, the gastrocnemius also helps with bending the knee.  In this position, with the knee bent, Soleus becomes the primary plantar flexor.  A damaged Soleus will give you pain in the lower leg, and there will also be pain when you contract the muscle against resistance with the knee bent.

A calf strain may be more likely in athletes who have tight calf muscles, and the symptoms are a gradual tightening in the calf muscles which can get worse when running, or… improve while running only to tighten up later.

If you haven’t tried massage therapy for those aching muscles, make a call today.  Make an appointment and experience the many benefits that Remedial Massage has to offer and we’ll also help you with some great stretching techniques.

The Sciatic Nerve is quite large, in fact, it is the largest and longest peripheral nerve found in the body, and is as thick as a finger where it leaves in the lower spine. It extends from your lower back through your hip and under your buttock, and continues down your leg where it splits into two at the knee.

Each leg has its own Sciatic Nerve.

‘Sciatica’ simply means the Sciatic Nerve is is inflamed. The Sciatic Nerve provides information about leg movements, and transmits that information about sensations up to the brain.

Like most other nerves, the Sciatic Nerve performs two important roles.  It sends messages to the muscles of the leg from the brain, and it collects sensory information from the legs and sends it back to the brain.

Conditions such as Sciatica that affect the nerve will change these normal functions. This usually appears as either weakness of these leg muscles… pain in the legs and thighs… or both.

Symptoms of Sciatica.

• A cramping or burning sensation in the thigh.

• Shooting pains from the buttock, down the leg

• Tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations in the legs and thighs

Some with Sciatica may notice a worsening of their symptoms with actions such as squatting or coughing. These actions can increase pressure around the nerve and escalate the symptoms of Sciatica.

The pain from Sciatica is felt along the Sciatic Nerve and can be felt deep in the buttock, with pain that travels down the back of the leg, sometimes as far as the foot. There may also be tingling, ‘pins and needles’, or loss of feeling, and sometimes, weakness in the leg.

Usually, Sciatica effects one leg at a time. Occasionally, a feeling like an electric shock may be occur. The pain can range from a mild ache to severe pain.

Sciatica pain is often felt when you sneeze, cough, or when you’re sitting, and lower back pain may be present as well.

What is the cause of the pain?

A Tight Piriformis is the most common cause.

Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome are one and the same condition.  The medical community is starting to call the condition by the muscle (Piriformis) that is involved instead of calling it by the name of the associated nerve.  So now you have a choice… a syndrome or a condition.

The Piriformis is a muscle that lies deep underneath the Gluteal muscles of the buttocks. The function of the Piriformis muscle is to externally rotate and stabilise the hip. The Sciatic Nerve passes directly underneath the Piriformis and with some people, it actually passes through it.

Sciatica (aka Piriformis Syndrome) occurs when the Piriformis muscle becomes tight, goes into spasm, or swells. When this happens it compresses the Sciatic Nerve.

Pregnancy can be a cause of pressure on the Sciatic Nerve.

Treatment:
Stretching is a good start, and Deep tissue massage is  also hard to beat in treating Sciatica (aka Piriformis Syndrome).  The best  technique is without a doubt, a darn good active release. It’s a very precise technique that’s used to remove any adhesions that might have formed within the Piriformis or between it and the Sciatic Nerve. A deep tissue massage can help if the masseur is familiar with the anatomy of the Deep Gluteal Muscles.

If you’re experiencing the pain we’ve talked about in this article, call and make an appointment today.  A Remedial Massage could be all you need to relieve the condition.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome is sometimes referred to as Runners Knee and Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome.

The Iliotibial Band is a band of thick, fibrous tissue which attaches to both the Iliac Crest of the Pelvis (aka hip bone) and the Tensor Fascia Latae muscle. It then runs down the outside of the thigh and inserts into the outside surface of the Tibia (aka shin bone). Its function is to extend or straighten the knee joint as well as abducting the hip or moving it out sideways.

The Tensor Fascia Latae (aka TFL) muscle is a muscle that works over your hip joint. If you put your hands on your hips as if you had your hands in your trouser pockets, your palms should be sitting over the TFL.

As the Iliotibial Band (aka ITB) passes over the lateral epicondyle (a bony part of the femur of the outside of the knee) it is subject to friction. At an angle between 20˚ and 30˚ the Iliotibial Band flicks across the lateral epicondyle. When the knee is being extended or straightened, it flicks in front of the epicondyle and when it is bent, it ducks back in behind.

Iliotibial Band syndrome is frequent in runners because 20-30˚ is about  the angle the knee is at when the foot strikes the ground when running. In people who run regularly this may lead to aggravation of the ITB commonly known as Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome.

What causes IT Band Syndrome?

Certain factors may make you more susceptible to developing Iliotibial Band syndrome:

• A naturally tight or wide IT band.

• Weak hip muscles such. as Gluteus Medius.

• 

  Trigger points within the IT band and Glute muscles.

• Over-pronation (foot rolls inward)

• Overuse.

• Excessive hill running.

• Running on an uneven surface.

• Different leg lengths.

Symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome:

• There will be pain on the outside of the knee (at or around the lateral epicondyle of the femur).
• A tightness in the Iliotibial Band (ITB)
• Pain normally aggravated by running, especially running downhill.
• Pain during flexing or extending the knee, worsened by pressing in at the side of the knee over the sore area.
• Tender trigger points in the Butt region may also be present.
• Weakness in hip abduction.

What can the athlete do to prevent Runners knee?

• Rest.
• Avoid painful activities like downhill running.
• Use ice to reduce any inflammation.
• Always stretch the ITB after training.
• Massage can also be very helpful in correcting excessive ITB tightness.

Therapy:

Massage that involves specific stretching is a good start and frequent Iliotibial Band stretches should be maintained even after symptoms have ceased.

If you haven’t tried Remedial Massage and you’re experiencing pain in your Iliotinial Band… make a call today.  Arrange an appointment and experience the many benefits that Remedial Massage has to offer.