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Corrective Exercise Solutions: Foot and Ankle Pain
FEET AND ANKLE MUSCLES
TIBIALIS POSTERIOR
The Tibialis Posterior is located on
the back of the lower leg and under
the foot.
Tibialis
Posterior
MUSCLE SPECIFICS
The tibialis posterior originates near the top of the lower leg on the back of the tibia and fibula. It
runs down the back of the leg and then wraps around the inside of the ankle bone where it
inserts in the middle of the underside of the foot.
MUSCLE ACTION(S)
The tibialis posterior helps invert the foot and ankle (i.e., rolls it outward) and push down the
ankle and foot (i.e., plantar flexion).
REAL LIFE MOVEMENTS
In real life movements like jogging the tibialis posterior lengthens under load like a bungee cord
to help hold up the medial longitudinal arch and transverse arches and slow down forces to the
ankle joint. This helps it slow down internal rotation of the tibia to resist overpronation. As the
muscle lengthens this stores energy in the tissues to enable the ankle to then supinate and the
foot to push down (i.e., plantar flex).
REAL LIFE MOVEMENT EXAMPLE
The tibialis posterior helps maintain the integrity and strength of the medial longitudinal arch of
the foot and helps create a powerful push-off when walking or running.
HELPFUL TIPS
Pain caused by irritation of the tibialis posterior can feel like symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
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