Horrible Shin Splints

[marpa]

A few months ago, I ran about 3 miles 4 times a week. It was very difficult to get started as I suffered from shin splints. I took a break for a while because I had to study. Now, I am trying to run again and the shin splints are back. It is incredibly weird. I was able to run 8 miles a week or two ago with no problem. No, however, I cannot get started. I cannot go a mile without my calves and shins hurting to the point that I can no longer direct my legs properly. What gives? I am thinking about getting a good pair of shoes in the $150-200 range in hopes of curbing the shock to my lower legs. Any advice on what I should look into? Perhaps physical therapy? Acupuncture?

 

[KillaCam]

Hey man.

My only experience of shin splints before was an old rugby teammate who had it dreadfully. It really crept up on him, and out of nowhere he was pretty much disabled.

If I remember right, he had acupuncture done to try and relieve it, but I never heard how it went because he switched to another club, traitor

Either way, look into it. Hopefully you get some more helpful replies from people who know a bit more

Good luck man, I hope ya get over them soon.

 

[BluEyes]

I had shin splints for awhile...

1. Don't run on pavement, run on grass

2. See somebody about your running gait

3. Buy a quality pair of running shoes

4. Buy inserts

5. Stretch your shins

6. Don't try to run through the pain, this causes real damage

 

[mrRuckus]

After a run ice your shints down even if they don't hurt.

 

[Un-Aru]

Mine have come and gone over the years. Everyone is right, it's all to do with gait, more specifically how your foot strikes the ground. And it's annoying as hell when they clear up for a while only to come back in force yet to your knowledge you've done nothing differently. And everyone's right too, buying inserts, running on grass and icing all help, (as well as loads of calf stretches) albeit sometimes temporarily.

HOWEVER, if you have the cash and are seriously into your sport or want to get rid of them permanently visit a good podiatrist, they will analyse your gait and force dispersion patterns on your feet. Then they'll build orthotic inserts specifically designed for your foot. They'll also recommend a really good type of running shoe for your type of foot.

For maximum benefit also see a good occupational therapist who will work on a few trigger points and help relieve the tightness in the calves, achilles and shins. You'll need to stretch all the time, holding stretches for a minute each. This whole rehab process may take a few weeks but I can tell you now it's worth it.

 

[manuva]

I had nasty shin splints when I was boxing. A visit to the podiatrist fixed it instantly. He taped some sort of weird arch support to the insole of my shoe and the pain disappeared instantly.

 

[Un-Aru]

Originally posted by Manuva
I had nasty shin splints when I was boxing. A visit to the podiatrist fixed it instantly. He taped some sort of weird arch support to the insole of my shoe and the pain disappeared instantly.

While I was waiting for the orthotics to be made the podiatrist actually strapped my feet a certain way so I could carry on training and playing. That seemed to work too. The wierdest sensation, but got rid of the pain...

 

[Gus]

I always get them if I haven't run in a while and I rush out and do a balls-to-the-wall workout. Ease into it and it should help a lot. Also, you can flex the shin muscle randomly throughout the day (just raise your foot as high as you can) and give yourself random workouts (during class, at work, or whenever), that seemed to help me too.

 

[MrS]

Get better shoes, the rest will fix itself.
You'll get used to it.

 

[dirtysanchez]

See this thread: http://charliefrancis.com/community/showthread.php?t=12750

 

[kickureface]

dont shin splints recover like muscle? more catilllage addes to the shin?