STRETCH OF THE WEEK:

Double Tibialis Anterior Stretch

The tibialis anterior is a muscle located at the front of your lower leg and wraps down your shin bone. Unfortunately, this muscle is often overlooked in a persons stretch routine. If you’re a runner, endurance athlete or if you’ve ever been diagnosed with “shin splints,” you might have tightness in your tibialis anterior.

Stretching this muscle can help prevent lower leg pain and decrease it if you’re already suffering. Due to the roll your tibialis anterior muscles plays in dorsiflexion (lifting your toes off the ground) it is important for rock climbing, climbing stairs and or hiking uphill, along with many other sports and everyday activities. This muscle also plays an important role in maintaining your balance, so it shouldn’t be neglected.

‼READ IF YOU HAVE OR HAVE HAD SHIN SPLINTS ✅

1. Stand barefoot or in socks with your right foot back behind you 6-12in.
2. Point the toes of your right foot down at the ground and allow them to curl under your foot so you are resting on the knuckles of your toes.
3. Gently put pressure on that right foot until you feel a good stretch in the front of your lower leg along your shin bone. (Hold for 10s) .
4. Now while still applying pressure to the right foot, allow your right heel to fall out to the side away from your midline to shift the stretch slightly. (Hold for 10s) .
5. Alternate between the two stretches 3 times each.
6. Repeat on your left side.