What is the Gastrocnemius Muscle and How Do I Treat It? - Run

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Gastro-what? You've just found out you have an injured gastrocnemius muscle. This probably happened at the same time you found out you actually have a gastrocnemius muscle. So let's answer all your questions about this topic. Ready? Here we go! What is the Gastrocnemius? While it may sound like some sort of upset stomach problem, the gastrocnemius is a leg muscle located below the knee. Flanked by the soleus and plantaris muscles, the three combine to make up what is commonly referred to as the calf muscle. It's used for walking, but it's more important for running. What Does the Gastrocnemius Do? According to Healthline, "The flexing of this gastrocnemius muscle during walking and bending of the knee creates traction on the femur, pulling it toward the tibia in the lower leg and causing the knee to bend." In other