Tibialis Anterior Muscle Mobilization (Shin Tightness & Pain)

The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle is located on the front side of the shin and is the primary muscle responsible for dorsiflexing the ankle (imagine lifting the front of your foot off the ground). Functionally, TA contracts eccentrically during walking (and running if you are a heel striker) to lower the foot to the ground smoothly just after making heel contact with the ground. The muscle also helps lift the toes so they don’t catch the ground when swinging the leg forward to take the next step. In runners who are rearfoot (heel) strikers or individuals who run/hike downhill often, the tibialis anterior muscle must contract forcefully to control ankle motion and can become irritated with repeated use. Besides using manual therapy to treat tibialis anterior, it’s also important to strengthen this muscle. The shin splints program in my new book shows stretching and strengthening exercises for tibialis anterior. Click the link in my bio or visit rehabscience.com/book to learn more and order a copy.