Peroneus longus and Tibialis posterior

Melissa Wheeler explains why these 2 muscles are among her favorites…

I love these leg muscles because of their attachment and involvement with the FEET!

Massage Therapists often think of only the Gastrocnemius and Soleus when they think of calf muscles, but often the culprit in calf/foot pain is the deepest calf muscle, Tibialis posterior.  Tib Posterior has extensive attachments to the plantar surface of the foot and if you are aware of this, it can change your foot massage techniques forever!!!  Remember all those foot bones?  Navicular, cuneiforms, cuboid, metatarsals…

Then, wrapping around, from the Fibula (Peroneus and Fibula mean the same thing, one is Greek – one Latin) is the Peroneus longus muscle….it crosses under the plantar surface of the foot, from the lateral leg to the medial foot and attaches to the base of the first metatarsal and medial (or first) cuneiform.  Remember those old stirrup pants from the 80′s?  Something like that.

Working on the plantar surface of the foot, with these tendonious attachments in mind, can be a profound experience!  Clients will come running (literally) back to you.