Symptoms of Shin Splints
The most common symptoms of shin splints are:
- Moderate to severe pain to the shin bone or the attached muscles – especially when doing physical activities.
- Soreness or tenderness along the shin.
- Localised redness and inflammation, with the heat, often present over the affected area.
- Swelling or tautness in the shin.
How to treat Shin Splints yourself
When suffering from shin pain, it's important not to "push through it". The pain is actually a message that the bone or surrounding tissue is injured. Continuing with your activity will only aggravate the issue and the pain will intensify over time.
- Rest is the most effective treatment for shin splints.
- The period of rest may vary depending on the severity of the injury. But a common recommendation is a minimum of 2 weeks of rest.
- If you wish to keep exercising, modify your regime to include gentle activities including walking, swimming, cycling or weight training. Just make sure that these activities don’t aggravate your shin splints.
- Apply an ice pack to the affected shin for 10 - 20 minutes a few times per day to help with the calming process.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication may be helpful, but you must check with your doctor before you take any medication.
Preventing Re -Occurence
Once you have been given an all-clear to get back into training, be sure to follow the advice of your practitioner. Here are some simple tips to help you on your way back into training without re-injury:
- Do a thorough warmup, including active dynamic warmup drills.
- Include proper cool down drills including static stretching and foam rolling in your regime.
- Progress your training regime steadily and ensure your program is balanced.
- Apart from running, consider adding in other exercises, so you are not overusing and fatiguing the same parts of your body.
Ensure you wear shoes that fit properly and support and enhance your running style.
Chiropractic Treatment for Shin Splints
Sometimes a good pair of hands and some solid support and guidance is just what you need to get through an injury with relative ease. Our highly skilled Sports Chiropractors are experts at looking after all manner of sporting injuries including shin splints.
We can get you back on your feet with:
- Guidance on exercise modification. It’s great if you can afford to take the time to rest. But sometimes there are goals to be met. When events are booked in, a complete break may not be an option. Finding alternative ways to keep your fitness up without aggravating your injury is a priority.
- With a tailored treatment plan designed to speed up your recovery process. This will usually include:
- Utilising soft tissue techniques such as Myofascial Dry Needling and Active Release to release the tension.
- Chiropractic adjustments to the feet, ankle and tibia/fibula joints to ensure that any adhesions that might be contributing to your injury are released.
- Mobilisations to your feet, ankle and tibia/fibula joints to ensure that the movement in these joints isn't restricted.
- Strapping to help support and mobilise as required.
Many professional athletes and sportspersons turn to chiropractic treatments to help them get back to their full potential. Now that you know what are shin splints, and what causes them if you are looking for some professional help, click here to book an appointment today.
If you are not 100% sure you have Shin Splints, or you need a little more information, read our article on Plantar fascia, to see if the tension in your feet is causing discomfort in your legs.
Whatever the cause, don’t ignore the pain caused by shin splints. A little timely chiropractic care can help you stay fit and lead a pain-free life.
