Muscles
Gastrocnemius
Plantarflexes the ankle; flexes the knee.
Overview
Plantarflexes the ankle; flexes the knee. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Two heads forming the calf bulk.
Referred pain pattern
Posterior knee crease and instep arch — common cause of nocturnal calf cramps.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Sudden sprinting, hill running, dehydration.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Calf stretches, hydration, eccentric heel drops. Clinically: needling.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction