Do you feel pain your shins any time you walk, run, or perform physical activity with your legs? There is a possibility that you’re experiencing medial tibial stress syndrome, otherwise known as shin splints.
What Causes Shin Splints?
Shin splints are caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone.
Prevention and Treatment
Even though shin splints are common and nothing to be worried about, they are still painful. So, here is a variety of ways to help prevent shin splints:
Avoid “over-doing”. To put it simply, you want to avoid doing too much high-impact activity for too long. For example, high-intensity workouts like running at a very frequent rate can be considered “over-doing it”.
Choose proper shoes. By now you have probably caught on that we always stress the importance of proper footwear. You should be replacing your shoes every 350-500 miles depending on your activity level with them, as well as wearing proper shoes for different activities.
Consider custom inserts. Whether you get arch supporters or shock-absorbing insoles, you might need to consider custom inserts for your shoes. There is no shame in needing a little assistance if that means keeping your feet, legs, and body healthy.
Add strength training. Consider adding exercises to strengthen and stabilize your legs, ankles, hips, and core to your regime.
Shin splints are treatable on their own and usually only require rest, ice, and at most you can take some anti-inflammatory. During the healing process, you can also ask your Podiatrist if custom inserts are necessary to avoid further injuries.
When to See a Doctor
If you are experiencing pain for a long period of time despite your efforts to heal, you can visit your doctor for further diagnosis and treatment. The best thing you can do for shin splints is rest and use this time to let your body heal properly.
If you think you have shin splints but aren’t sure of the treatment process, feel free to reach out to us or book an appointment!