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Unreal Results for Physical Therapists and Athletic TrainersAuthor: Anna Hartman
The Unreal Results podcast helps physical therapists and certified athletic trainers feel confident and get better outcomes for their clients by teaching about the influence of the viscera organs and the nervous system on human movement, pain, and injury. Explore how a visceral and neural-based lens of view can provide a new perspective to performance-based physical therapy, athletic training, and sports medicine. Language: en-us Genres: Alternative Health, Education, Health & Fitness, How To Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Rethinking the Popliteus in Knee Rehab
Episode 149
Thursday, 26 February, 2026
In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I explore the anatomy and clinical significance of the popliteus — the small, often overlooked muscle that unlocks the knee and why it may be a missing link in lateral knee pain, shin splints, post-surgical inhibition, and chronic joint irritation. I share reflections from my own ACL-deficient knee during an 8 week plyometric intensive and how restoring dynamic confidence changed not just my performance, but my joint symptoms. We’ll also explore how the popliteus interfaces with the fibula, meniscus, joint capsule, and even the SI joint and why treating it in isolation rarely creates lasting change.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why the popliteus is central to unlocking knee flexion in closed-chain movementWhy this muscle becomes hypertonic after injury and why releasing it isn’t enoughHow posterior capsule, fibular motion, and meniscal connections influence knee painPractical ways to combine manual therapy and yielding plyometrics for better outcomesIf you’ve ever wondered why the popliteus keeps “tightening back up,” this episode will help you understand what it’s protecting and how to work with it instead of against it.Resources & Links Mentioned In This Episode:Ep. 8: Unlocking The FibulaEp. 21: Easily Restore Knee Extension After Injury or SurgeryEp. 25: The Peripheral HeartEp. 78: Easily Restore Knee Flexion After Injury or SurgeryEp. 79: The Deeper Impact of Plyometrics w/ Matt McInnes WatsonEp. 138: The Link Between Potassium and Shin SplintsSquat Warmup VideoTutorial to Improve Knee Flexion VideoBook I Mentioned: New Manual Articular Approach: Lower Extremity by Jean-Pierre Barral & Alain CroibierSign Up For A Barral Institute Course (Tell them Anna Hartman sent you!)Learn the LTAP® In-Person in one of my upcoming coursesConsidering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com=================================================Watch the podcast on YouTube and subscribe!Join the MovementREV email list to stay up to date on the Unreal Results Podcast and MovementREV education. Be social and follow me:Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
