In recent posts, I have shared information on the troubling problem, for many athletes, of Shin Splints.

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).

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 multifactorial approach to 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.

My own athletic endeavours along with my education and experience (including my many injuries J ) 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 coming into a busy time for running athletes as many are dialing up their mileage to prepare for Spring Marathons. This is the time of year that I begin to see many athletes in my office with aches and pains associated with running.  I hope that you take care of yourself and are running pain free!

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. She also inspires patients 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.