How do you deal with shin splints?

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Seanman

Seanman

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Well, after running cross country for a couple weeks, I ran into the problem known as shin splints. Now, whenever I try to run, I get the painful stabbing feeling in the insides of my shins. My coach gave me a couple of days off to rest, but beyond icing it four times a day, he didn't give me much advice on how else to treat it or how to prevent it from happening again.

Since I don't want this to become a problem that will bug me for the rest of the season, I'd like to find out how everyone here deals with shin splints and how I could avoid getting them again in the future.
 
Weekeepeedia
The immediate treatment for shin splints is rest. Running and other strenuous lower limb activities like soccer and other sports which include flexing the muscle, should be avoided until the pain subsides and is no longer elicited by activity. In conjunction with rest, anti-inflammatory treatments such as icing and drugs such as NSAIDs may be suggested by a doctor or trainer, though there is some controversy over their effectiveness. Some people will use acupuncture to treat shin splints though there has not been any conclusive or comprehensive study in the effects of acupuncture on shin splints.
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Looks like rest is all you need. If he thought you'd need any chemical assistance, would he not have given it?

Hope you get better soon though man.
 
It will help a little but run on grass when all possible. Other than that when I was doing X-Country we still had to run though the pain.
 
And make sure when you do start running again that you have proper running shoes. Thick and cushioned soles.

Though at a guess I'd say you have those already.
 
There's not an awful lot you can do about shin splints. But you definitely need to rest your legs.

Also, Evan/ExigeExcel's advice is essential.

Shin splints suck.
 
I don't know if we're talking about the same subject (sounds like it though) but if we are, the only solution after resting is just taking the pain and going on, eventually it will go away. Having done that, it hurts like hell is even more annoying but it's the only thing you can do, except stopping running of course.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, and it looks like a problem I'll just have to live with while running.

I already have a pair of running shoes, but they don't seem to fit me as well as a good pair should, so I ordered a pair of Asics GT-2110's. Hopefully it will help make the splints easier to live with.

Thanks again, and +rep. 👍
 
These? Though I don't know the exact name.


Either way, a complete bargain and all the difference when running on pavement.
 
I actually got a pair of these:

41EZYAyPKkL._AA280_.jpg


After trying them on, they seem to fit a lot better than the Nikes I had without being too overpriced.
 
See a doctor.

Going by what I've found on the web the last thing it suggests you should be doing is running on them. Give your body time to recover or it'll just get worse and worse and worse.
 
Proper massage by a skilled therapist helps. My wife was a gymnast coached by her dad, and he would rub her shins down for quite a while to get the knots out.
Proper stretching before and after running might help, but not being a runner I couldn't tell you how to stretch.
 
Sureshot
See a doctor.

Going by what I've found on the web the last thing it suggests you should be doing is running on them. Give your body time to recover or it'll just get worse and worse and worse.
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Take this man's advice. Back in HS, I played soccer and had a mild case of shin splints. I ignored it and my coach was kind of an ass so he would just tell me to tough it out and it ended up getting so bad that I could barely walk. After seeing the doctor, he pretty much said that I can't do any activities that will require endurance running like Soccer, track and field, football, etc..

If you feel my shins now, you'll feel little bumps of muscles that was torn off of the shins.
 
wfooshee
Proper stretching before and after running might help, but not being a runner I couldn't tell you how to stretch.
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Stretching is important. Also try a potassium intake if there's other cramping involved. Good luck. 👍
 
If you guys have a good trainer, he/she can also wrap/tape your shins for good support while you run.
 
^^

I have usually heard that taping them helps. During track season, the kids with shin splints will usually run with a band of tape around their shins.
 
Well, after two days of resting (mostly icing my shins and watching the first season of Rome), I went to the beach yesterday. The two days seemed to help a lot, as my shins didn't hurt at all, even during football in the sand. Also, my new shoes finally came in today. After taking them out for a short (30 minutes or so) run, they seem to work a lot better than the Nikes, as my landings are much less harsh.

It looks like the problem's gone away for the time being, so thanks for all the help guys. I'll make sure to stretch properly and tape my legs when I need to. 👍
 

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