Shin Splints

Hello!

I've got shin splints and have had them for quite a while (just under a year) and they're not usually very bad doing day to day stuff but I play rugby a lot for most of the year and its starting to get tiring having to grin and bear through the pain when I play. I really want to know how to help them, I've already been told by the doctor that I'm basically stuck with them for the rest of my life as theyll just keep coming back.

Does anyone know anything that I can do to sorta help deal with them?? I know deep heat can help a bit but not really enough :/
 
You shouldn't be stuck with them for the rest of your life. Sure, you'll likely be prone to them from now on,, but there's definitely ways to keep them from recurring.

First, deep heat won't do that much. Ice your legs instead to bring down the inflammation.

Proper stretching after exercise is vital. Imbalances in your flexibility can aggravate the shin splints. Same goes for strength imbalances, so make sure that you don't neglect any muscle groups in your lower body. (Especially your quads, hamstrings, and glutes.)

The biggest thing, though, that causes shin splints is your walking and running gait, which you should have assessed by a trained professional. Flat feet, improper form, and other factors (which vary from person to person) need to be corrected. (Also, I know it's summer, but don't wear flip flops. If anything, wear sandals with straps.)

Also, if you go running (or basically any other exercise) try to stay away from pavement. Stress is the number one trigger for shin splints. The stress from hitting the ground is increased when you strike with your heel first (you may have heard about barefoot, forefoot running), and it's even worse when you're on a non-give surface such as pavement.
 
Why you have been keeping this problem with you for years? It would get worse. If you do not care with cautious then it would bring devastating result in your life. I think that it’s high time to take care now until it become out of control. Just read all of my advice carefully and please follow them with cautious. Keep in mind that the early you would address the problem the early you would get time to heal pain completely:

• Shin splints are caused by high impact on your heels, such as hurdling, running, long-jumping, triple-jumping, pole-vaulting, and jump roping. Other factors can also add to them, like old shoes, running surface, excessive training, and running form. They are the main reasons of shin splints.

• If you have been running in your shoes for over 3 months, you should consider replacing them. Running shoes take stress off your legs by cushioning every step you take. A good pair of shoes that fits well can help a lot.

• Try to find softer surfaces to run on such as a grassy park or a dirt trail. Running on pavement creates extra stress on your legs. Don't switch back and forth from hard to soft during the same run.

• If your shin splints have gotten to a point where they hurt even when you're not training, then you need to take at least a couple days off, maybe a week or two.

• Don't run longer than your shins can take. Pay attention to how your shins feel and when you can sense pain stop running and go home. Some days this may happen after you've only run a mile; other days you'll last much longer. Eventually your shins will get stronger and you'll be able to run as long as you'd like. When your shins need rest, just try another activity like biking or swimming. That way you can still stay in shape while not hurting your shins. This is most important.

• Are you over weighted. Then lose your weight. Lots of adults in their 20's begin to gain weight and don't realize that this is why their shins and knees can't take as much pounding as they used to. Your eating habits have finally caught your metabolism and it's time to start eating less. If you eat less and continue running, you are bound to lose some weight.

• Tap your feet up and down while you're sitting down. When you're in bed, move your toes back and forth. Exercises such as these help build the muscles around your shins which will support your shins more while you're running.

• There are couples of exercise of shin splints. Practice those before running or jogging. There are 3 toe exercises and 3 ankle exercises. Jog lightly, on your toes with your toes pointed forward for 25 paces. Then turn your toes in (pigeon toed) and jog, still on your toes for 25 paces. Now turn your toes out and jog on your toes for 25 paces. Now land lightly on your heels with your toes pointed up. First straight forward. Then pointing up and inward, then up and outward. After about 2 weeks, your shin splints should minimize or disappear.

• Tight calf muscles can contribute towards many lower leg injuries including shin splints. Try stretching the calf muscles, ensuring you target both Gastrocnemius and Soleus, several times a day. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times.

• Sports massages are fantastic for treating many sporting injuries. They are especially useful for loosening the calf muscles and breaking down any scar tissue.

Those are just simple tips from my past experience and all of them are proven. It is always advisable to all to talk with your physician first before starting any form of exercise.
 
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