Origin
Calcaneus
Insertion
Phalanges of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th toes.
Blood supply
Medial plantar artery, lateral plantar artery, plantar digital arteries, plantar metatarsal arteries, plantar arch.
Nerve supply
Medial plantar nerve.
Action
It helps to balance, especially when you rise on toes.
Disease/Injury
Plantar fasciitis can be caused if there is excessive strain on the muscle.
Muscle Exercise
To strengthen this muscle, practice toe gripping exercise. Sit on the floor with legs extended in front of you, then bend your knees slightly and bend your ankles so that the toes rest on the floor. Then by keeping the heels on the ground, contract the muscles on the feet. Hold this contraction for 15 seconds and then release and repeat it.
Interesting fact
Plantar fasciitis is also called as policeman’s heels as their job requires continuous standing, causing strain on the flexor digitorum brevis muscle.
