Interosseous Membrane
Sunday Apr 04, 2010 Filed in:
Conditions | Rolfing
Lately,
I’ve been working with a lot of people who experience tightness in
the calves, knee weakness and ankle problems. All of these issues
can be related to the interosseous membrane.
What is the interosseous membrane? It is a membrane made of dense connective tissue that holds the two bones of the lower leg together. The tibia and fibula are designed to move apart every time we bend the ankle. This way, more space is created for the blood to flow and to pump it up to the heart.
Probably partly because of genetics, some of us have tighter calves than others. Another factor can also be a lot of running activity and the resulting shin splints. In addition, some people have enormous sensitivity in their lower legs where they barely let me touch them in the first sessions (but as I work with the calves and they loosen up, they also become less sensitive to the touch).
When I work with these clients, I help open up the space between the tibia and the fibula. I can access it from either the shin side or the back side. I often have the client slowly move the ankle between the flexion and relaxation positions to encourage the sensation of the bones widening and as if the muscles move like pulleys – some lengthen and some shorten.
What is the interosseous membrane? It is a membrane made of dense connective tissue that holds the two bones of the lower leg together. The tibia and fibula are designed to move apart every time we bend the ankle. This way, more space is created for the blood to flow and to pump it up to the heart.
Probably partly because of genetics, some of us have tighter calves than others. Another factor can also be a lot of running activity and the resulting shin splints. In addition, some people have enormous sensitivity in their lower legs where they barely let me touch them in the first sessions (but as I work with the calves and they loosen up, they also become less sensitive to the touch).
When I work with these clients, I help open up the space between the tibia and the fibula. I can access it from either the shin side or the back side. I often have the client slowly move the ankle between the flexion and relaxation positions to encourage the sensation of the bones widening and as if the muscles move like pulleys – some lengthen and some shorten.