Shin Splints Treatment - The Basics
Shin Splints Treatment - The Basics
Basically, Shin Splints are a condition in the lower leg one symptom of which is pain, and often swelling on the front of the leg (in the anterior tibialis muscle).
Most frequent in those who run or jog, the pain typically comes from prolonged stress on the shin bone, also known as the tibia, and the tissue that connects the bone with the muscle.
Other exercises that have a tendency to cause shin splints include running or jumping on harder or irregular surfaces, such as basketball, tennis, and cross-country running.
What Causes Shin Splints?
The most frequent cause of shin splints is from repeated jumping on hard surfaces. As noted above, this is often the case in court based sports such as basketball, tennis, and running.
Other potential causes include:
- A change in footwear, or wearing footwear without appropriate support.
- Running, and even walking, on a platform you aren't familiar with running on.
- If you work out so much harder than you typically do, or train too fast without building into the new routine first.
- The shape of the arches under your foot can also lead to shin splints.
Shin Splints Symptoms
The most frequent symptom of shin splints is pains in the leg below the knee. Sometimes accompanied by mild swelling.
Initially, you may observe a dull aching in the leg(s), or soreness. As you continue your exercise you may see the pain building up, sometimes to the level of being very sharp every time your feet impact the surface.
If left without treatment the pain will keep growing and will keep doing so as long as you keep working out. If the injury is severe enough, the pain can last a long time after you actively stop your activity, sometimes for hours.
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
How Are Shin Splints Diagnosed?
Most often you will need a doctor or other health practioner to diagnose that you indeed do have shin splints. As obvious as the pains can be, there are other conditions that can give similar symptoms, so you should always consult your local practitioner.
Can Shin Splints Be Prevented?
In short, yes you can, there are techniques you can do to prevent shin splints.
- Take it slowly, learn your limits and ease into new activity.
- Wear suitable footwear that fit your foot properly.
- Don't use old running shoes to run in.
- Consider buying a shoe insert if you have flat feet.
- Whatever your activity, try cross-training.
Now that you have a good overview of shin splints, what they are, what causes them, and what shin splints treatment options you have readily available to try.
A little education is the best weapon you can have to use against shin splints; something that took me years to learn... Don't wait like i did, don't suffer for years, learn about your shin splints treatment options and how to prevent your shin splints for good.
About the Author
Source: Shin Splints Treatment |