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Posterior Lower Extremity Counterstrain
Posterior Lower Extremity Tender Points
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Counterstrain Review
Before proceeding to learning about the different counterstrain treatment techniques for each of the Posterior Lower Extremity Tender Points, you may wish to review our Overview to Counterstrain here.
Lateral Meniscus/Lateral Collateral Ligament
Treatment: Flexion (knee)
ABduction (tibia), and
Internal/External Rotation (tibia) —- (F ABD IR/ER)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| LCL | Lateral Aspect of Knee at Lateral Joint Line, associated with Lateral Meniscus and Lateral Collateral (Fibular) Ligament |
Medial Meniscus/Medial Collateral Ligament
Treatment: Flexion (knee)
ADduction (tibia), and Internal Rotation (tibia) —- (F ABD IR)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| MCL | Medial Aspect of Knee at Medial Joint Line, associated with Medial Meniscus and Medial Collateral (Tibial) Ligament |
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Treatment: Posteriorly Directed Force over Anterior Proximal Tibia (tibial tuberosity)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| ACL | Superior Aspect of Popliteal Fossa, adjacent to Hamstring Tendons (medially or laterally) |
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
Treatment: Posteriorly Directed Force over Anterior Distal Femur (anterior thigh)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| PCL | Center (or slightly below center) of the Popliteal Fossa |
Popliteus
Treatment: Flexion (knee) and
Internal Rotation (tibia) — (F IR)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Popliteus | Belly of Popliteus Muscle, Inferior to Popliteal Space |
Extension Ankle (Gastrocnemius)
Treatment: Flexion (knee),
Plantar Flexion (ankle), and Compression (calcaneus)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Gastrocnemius | Within Proximal Gastrocnemius Muscles, Distal to Popliteal Margin |
Medial Hamstring (Semimembranosus)
Treatment: Flexion (knee),
Internal Rotation (tibia), and ADduction (tibia) — (F IR ADD)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Semimembranosus | Posterior Thigh, Medial to Midline, ½ Distance of Femur |
Lateral Hamstring (Biceps Femoris)
Treatment:
Flexion (knee), External Rotation (tibia), and ABduction (tibia) — (F ER ABD)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Biceps Femoris | Distal Aspect of Biceps Femoris Muscle near attachment to Posterolateral Surface of Fibular Head |
Flexion Calcaneus (Quadratus Plantae)
Treatment: Flexion (forefoot)
| Tender Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Quadratus Plantae | Plantar Surface of foot on Anterior aspect of Calcaneus at attachment of Plantar Fascia/Quadratus Plantae m. |
