How to Get Rid of Shin Splints
By: Dr. Peggy Malone
I have shared lots of information in previous posts about Shin Splints which is a troubling problem, for many athletes.
Today I am sharing much of the information from a previous post on this annoying running injury as I am gearing up for my Black Friday Promotion which will be extremely beneficial to help Shin Splints sufferers to get back to pain free activity.
If you are not familiar with this painful injury, Shin Splints are essentially an exercise-induced form of lower leg pain common among athletes. The pain is usually around the tibia (the shin bone).
I want to take a few paragraphs today and tell you my Shin Splints story. It’s the whole reason I decided to write my book to help others to try and avoid the pain I went through or to get back to pain-free running if they are suffering with agonizing shin pain.
There’s no nice way to say it: Shin Splints Suck. If you are currently dealing with Shin Splints or if you have ever suffered the pain of every step, I can relate. It was only a few short years ago that I was super frustrated with the problem of Shin Splints both as a health care professional…and as an athlete!
I was training for my first marathon in 2004 and I had constant shin pain that got worse with every long run that screamed at me with every step. I was EXTREMELY frustrated that I couldn’t solve the problem because my education and tools as a health care practitioner should have give me the answers to relieve my pain.
I tried ALL the traditional shin splint treatment solutions…rest, ice, pain medication, stretching. I got only temporary, symptomatic relief from the annoying pain that returned every time I went back to running and especially as I increased my mileage. It took the enjoyment out of my training and it became a catalyst for my professional curiosity.
In my practice, I had many patients with the same Shin Splints pain and the same frustration that I was dealing with. Using the knowledge that I had back then, I could only help them to achieve the same temporary relief that I found for myself but I couldn’t find the long term solution to this painful, annoying problem…
I wish that during my early professional years, and through my own initial struggles with Shin Splints, I had known what I know now about Shin Splints Treatment. I have spent thousands of dollars and an equal number of hours going to seminars, reading books, talking to various experts and learning, learning, learning everything I could about sports and running injuries including repetitive strain injuries like Shin Splints.
Since then, I am happy to say, that I have overcome my own shin pain and have completed many races of varying distances including half and full marathons as well as 2 half Ironman Triathlons and 2 Ironman Triathlons all with no Shin Splint pain.
Many patients in my office have enjoyed the same results and I’m so pleased that I can finally help when people complain of annoying Shin Splints.
My treatment and training now include a multi-faceted approach on how to get rid of Shin Splints including many of the traditional treatments but with a few extras added in.
The biggest thing that I have found that really helps athletes that have resistant Shin Splints or pain in their legs or feet is working on strength and stability through the entire anatomy train from the floor to the core, with a special emphasis on the butt (gluteal musculature).
It’s true….you wouldn’t think so, but your butt is a contributor to why you many have painful Shin Splints.
Another amazing help to this pesky problem is paying attention to and changing up your everyday postures which can contribute to Shin Splints and other running injuries.
My own athletic endeavours along with my education and experience (including my many injuries
) have given me valuable insight into working with athletes for both the care of injuries as well as for the improvement of athletic performance.
We are just coming down from a busy time for running athletes as many have just finished participating in Fall Marathons. This is the time of year that I begin to see many athletes in my office with aches and pains associated with running and they are ready to get healthy over the off season..
If you are struggling with Shin Splints or other annoying running injuries, leave me a comment below or find me on Facebook or Twitter. I’d be happy to help by giving you some tips to get you back on track so that you can get out there and enjoy the feeling of one foot in front of the other with the wind on your face.
There’s nothing like it
Happy Running
Peggy
Dr. Peggy Malone is a Chiropractor and an Athlete who helps other athletes to overcome injury and get back to their sport. Her weekly Television Series 'Living Well" inspires people from all walks of life to take control of their health to be as happy and as healthy as they can be.
A former varsity Basketball and Rugby player, she has since entered the world of endurance athletics where she has completed 2 Ironman Triathlons, 3 Marathons, several Half Marathons and many other Triathlons, Road Races and Off-Road Adventure races of varying distances.
Her own athletic endeavors and injuries have given her valuable insight into working with athletes in her practice for both the care of injuries as well as for the improvement of athletic performance.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm so glad I caught a tweet with your link in it. I've been dealing with these for a while now and just telling the hubby tonight that I was beyond frustrated. I'm bookmarking you now and can't wait to read your advice. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for sharing! Great information!
Dr. Michael Horowitz, Vancouver Orthotics
Thanks for your comment Dr. Michael! I love to hear from fellow health care providers
hey, was good to read that other ppl are in the same boat as me… not about the pain but that im not th only one… i finish training and i am in absolute agony when i finish, i try to stretch down, ice, dont like taking pain relief so i just dont.. was hoping there was something i could do to get rid of them completely and not worry about the pain ever again
thankyou
You are definitely not alone! Shin Splints are a common issue. If you do a few simple things, you will be on your way to running pain free before you know it.
I run division 1 track and have been struggling with bad shin splints in both shins. Ice makes them feel tighter and more fatigued a lot of the time. Can you recommend any other methods? Also, could you maybe elborate a bit more on your strengthening exercises? Thanks for your help!
Hi Carrie,
In terms of strengthening exercises, check out my post on Gluteal strengthening Exercises. If you do them regularly, your shins will have less strain put through
them with each step. http://drpeggymalone.com/exercises-strengthen-stabilize-gluteal-musculature
As for the icing. Try the routine of warm shower or bath, a really good stretch and then ice for 10 minutes only….hopefully that makes the difference that you need.
I have been dealing with shin splints for about 7 months and know it is because of my growth.I run cross country and hd to stop this year after our first meet due to shin problems.I have done my bands but got so frustrated that I stopped running for two months. I want to get back into running, but need some extra tips on what else would help me.
Hey Joye,
Check out my free articles on Shin Splints. You may find the answer there: http://drpeggymalone.com/category/shin-splints
The thing that I have found with most of my patients that have resistant shin splints that makes the biggest difference is changing the postures that you hold in everyday life. Here are 2 posts to check out that will tell you what I mean: http://drpeggymalone.com/shin-splints-common-life-postures http://drpeggymalone.com/postural-habits-shin-splints
Let me know if you have any further questions once you check them out!
Peggy