How to Treat Shin Splints

Shin splints may start off as a result of putting too much stress while running. Runners often come across this problem and it needs to be treated quickly because it can get worse. The pain starts from the shin bone and may spread quickly. Severity of this kind of pain is dangerous as it turns out your lower leg and can also cripple you and keep you away from racing.

The causes of shin splints can vary. They can occur as a result of poorly fitted shoes, excessive running, putting too much effort or exercising in an improper form can cause shin splints. Shin splints can destroy careers and leave runners broken if quick treatment is not followed. This is why you must know how to prevent shin splits.

Here’s how you can treat shin splints:

Get Plenty of Rest

When you start experiencing pain in your shin bone, limit your running, jumping and other physical activities. Make sure to give your leg some rest. When you rest, it will relax your tendons and relieve you from pain. On the other hand if you keep on putting more stress in the form of running or being involved in physical activities then your injury can become worse. If the pain you’re experiencing is too much then you can turn to shin taping. The tapes suppress the pain by reducing the stress is your muscles. They also soften your tissues and relieve you from pain.

Massage To Relieve Pain

A leg massage is very helpful in this case as it eliminates any tight lumps, knots and bumps in the muscles and makes the blood flow smooth, hence, reducing the pain in the foot and speeding up the healing process. However, make sure that you hire a professional to give you a massage because the shin bone should be avoided while massaging as too much pressure on it can cause it to swell and cause even more pain.

Exercise

If you are experiencing shin splints symptoms then you can perform light exercises as well. They are a great source of help as they help in stretching out stiff muscles. Especially, stretching the calf region is helpful because it stretches the tibia is posterior muscle which is joint to the shin pair.

The correct form of performing calf exercises is to stretch and bend the knee. Do not go overboard with the stretching as it can make the muscle even more sore. Apply very little pressure while stretching. If you feel that the lower region of your leg has become stiff and is jammed, then you can do calf and toe raising exercises as they help the respective muscles to start working again.

Use an Orthotic For Support

Placing a plastic orthotic support in your shoe’s foam liner will give arch support to your feet. This helps in preventing the happening of shin splints as well as helps in curing them. You can find orthotic supports for your shoes at any shoe store.

Visit A Doctor

It is important that you visit a doctor if your injury looks severe or if the pain is unbearable. While there are many OTC medicines that you can turn to, the fact remains that such injuries can be very serious and medical help may be needed. It must also be added that shin splints typically do not require complex procedures and can be treated with the help of medicines and different exercises.

The Verdict

Shin splints can happen to dancers, runners, athletes, military personnel and anyone who is involved in using their feet too much. Your first priority should be to avoid shin splints, however, if you can’t then do not waste any time to get it cured.