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How to Massage Calf Strains

Last Update: August 12, 2008

Video By: LIVESTRONG.COM

Calf strains are a common athletic injury. Get expert tips and advice on massage and other treatments in this video.

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  • Make person comfortable
  • Apply pressure with both thumbs
  • Lean on your knee

About this Author

Malu works for Retreat Massage Therapy as a massage therapist. She is well versed in techniques that are particularly helpful for athletes.

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Video Transcript

MALU LUJAN: Okay. So we are going to talk about massaging the calf. And I am just going to explain a little bit about the calf muscles first. This is your Achilles heel here, and this tendon goes up into an area called the gastrocnemius where my fingertips are. And the belly of the muscle actually is divided where my fingertips are. There is a division right there, and then the belly of the muscle is on either side. So we are going to work the center of the muscle and the side of the muscle and the belly of the muscle. And we are going to start with a little massage, a little effleurage. And I am going to put my thumbs into that division in the center of the muscle straight up into the knee. Do not rub too hard in the back of someone's knees. People get kind of sensitive there. A little bit more massage oil and again thumbs straight up the middle of the calf. And we are going to use the flat of my hand to go into the belly of the muscle. Is that pressure okay, Chris?

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