Muscles
Tibialis posterior
Plantarflexes and inverts the ankle; supports the medial arch.
Overview
Plantarflexes and inverts the ankle; supports the medial arch. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Deep posterior calf.
Referred pain pattern
Achilles area and plantar arch — a frequent driver of plantar fasciitis-like pain.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Overpronation, sudden mileage increase, flat-foot overload.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Arch support, foot intrinsic work. Clinically: needling and gait retraining.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction