What are Shin splints?
Shin splints are a pain along your shin (along the tibia), normally on the front of your shin on the outside edge. The pain doesn’t usually stop until you stop your activity and rest.
Why do they happen?
Shin splints usually happen when jogging or walking or other high impact activities. Faulty foot mechanics cause undue shearing forces through the shin, and puts excess force through parts of the lower leg that eventually cause tearing of muscles that attach to the shin bone.
They usually occur after long periods of exercise, but also if there are muscle imbalances and biomechanical problems in your posture. If you feel pain in your shins after only a short period of exercise it is worth getting them looked at.
How can I stop shin splints?
- Ice massage the muscles that cause the pain
- Stretch the affected muscles
- Review your stretching & warming up & cooling down routine
- Rest at the first signs of shin splints
- Make sure your footwear is sufficiently cushioned to reduce the impact in your legs
- Change your footwear regularly particularly if you run long distances
- Vary the running surface you use e.g. a variety of tarmac, grass, treadmill to reduce the amount of continuous impact
What can Corsham Physiotherapy do to help shin splints?
If you find shin splints are reoccurring after trying the above self-help measures or after only a short period of exercise, then it is worth coming to see us.
The advice and treatment we will give will vary depending on what we find during your initial assessment and your individual symptoms but typically will include:
- Treatment of affected zones, typically using a variety of methods including ice massage, interferential & medical acupuncture
- Advice on exercises that can help strengthen the muscles surrounding your shin
- Correction of faulty mechanics
Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment or if you would like to discuss your problem with our friendly Chartered Physiotherapists.