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Home > Achilles Region > Body Biomechanics |
| Body Biomechanics |
Anatomy of the Achilles
When it comes to movement of the body and the ability of the foot and ankle to function properly, it is very important that the muscles that surround the ankle and connect in the bottom of the foot have as much functionality as possible.
In general, when you become dehydrated your muscles lose functionality and stick together thereby challenging their ability to perform. Adhesions, a byproduct of dehydration and poorly constructed muscle tissue, can occur causing potential aches and pains within the general area. Dehydration can cause the calf and soleus, which is just under the calf, to adhere together. Both of these muscles connect into the calcaneus (heel) via the Achilles tendon. Once the muscles become challenged and functionality is lost, they then pull on their insertion and origin points creating constant tension during activity.
With the clients that I train, I see loss of motion and instability in the joints once the body gets to this point. It is important to tone, strengthen, and massage the muscles in these areas regularly so they don't pull on the Achilles tendon.
Furthermore, biomechanically, you drop your heel on the pedal stroke when riding and you come up onto your mid-foot when running. Most field sports and tennis perpetually put your body in a mid-foot, heel-raised position. Repetitive motions such as these, regardless of the activity, can overwork the muscles in the lower leg. If you don't massage or exercise this area to allow the muscles to function properly through motion, biomechanical errors and muscular aches and pains can result. 
Sleeping with your toes pointed and sitting poorly may cause the soleus and calf muscles to contract and tighten. An example of sitting poorly would be with your knees laterally rotated and your arch turned upward with the outside of your foot resting on the ground. This can result in limited muscle function once you stand and apply weight to the foot. All of the muscles in the back of the leg within this region control how the foot is going to function.
Imagine doing a calf raise on a machine at the gym or on the edge of a step, and rather than taking the muscle through full range of motion, you leave it locked in a contracted state. A good example of this is wearing high-heeled shoes. Anytime the heel is above the toes, the calf and soleus can be challenged.
Through exercise and massage of the calf area, regaining dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in the foot will ultimately allow the foot and ankle to function properly. This will give you a great foundation for activity. When the muscles have been trained properly and have the proper tone and strength, typical muscular aches and pains and instabilities in the joints can be greatly minimized.
In conclusion, your foot is ultimately a puppet to the muscles that surround the calf and soleus muscles, so it is important that they have the proper strength, tone, and flexibility. They all connect in the bottom of the foot and support the ankle, so keep all of this in mind as you strive to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
Exercises: Examples of massages for the areas discusses above.
TP Footballer & Baller Block Soleus Exercise 
TP Double Ball Calf Exercise
 
TP Single Ball Calf Exercise
 
Video Exercises: Video examples of massages for the areas discusses above.
TP Footballer & Baller Block
TP Double Ball Video
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