Try Changing Your Foot Position When Stretching The Calf Muscles

Traditionally you will see 99% of people stretching their calf muscles up against a wall with their back foot forward directly forward.  Whilst this certainly ensures that one is stretching their calf muscle, are they actually getting the most of out the stretch?

In the video below you will see osteopath Heath Williams changing his foot position during for a calf stretch in order to emphasise a stretch through different parts of the calf.

Anatomically speaking, when you take a look at the calf in a text book, the calf muscle doesn’t actually travel in a straight sagittal plane line and therefore this begs the question, should we be looking to try and complete a more tri plane calf stretch rather than the traditional sagittal plane biased stretch?.  I was first introduced to these concepts by Gary Gray and David Tiberio when watching some of the Gray Institute DVDs back in 2006.  Since then I have gone on to continue studying and learning and have tried to adhere to these principles when looking at the body and prescribing stretching and mobility drills.

This blog was written by osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy.

Principle Four Osteopathy

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics.

The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.