Shin Splints

jonzettlemoyer

Hey everyone,

Question... all my life, whenever I run or jog, I end up with shin splints for the following two days. I do not get them from any other exercise. They don't bother me since I'm used to them but what are some ways to prevent getting them and what do you do if you, yourself, gets shin splints?

Thanks for any input!

Jonathan

AmandaDanceMore

Slow down, shorten your stride, make sure you're landing mid foot, reduce your distance. I did all these things after being just like you and was able to avoid them.

If I get them, I ice and back off the running. Maybe a much slower pace or less distance, or no running at all until they feel better.

There's some really helpful info graphs if you do some googling and even some stretches that help.

ocrXfitter

I wear compression sleeves on my shins to help with that as well.

MeanderingMammal

jonzettlemoyer wrote: »

Hey everyone,

Question... all my life, whenever I run or jog, I end up with shin splints for the following two days. I do not get them from any other exercise. They don't bother me since I'm used to them but what are some ways to prevent getting them and what do you do if you, yourself, gets shin splints?

Thanks for any input!

Jonathan

There are a number of potential causes of shin splints; running gait, muscle strength imbalance, inappropriate or worn out shoes.

The only real treatment is to remedy the cause. So possibly replacement shoes, or strength work that concentrates on the lower leg. Cycle clipped onto the pedals of possible, and concentrate on pedalling in circles.

Icing helps the pain, but doesn't remedy the injury.

Brufen can help.

Fwiw calf sleeves are mainly about pain relief also, as they don't address the source of injury.

fbchick51

Agree with the above...shorter gait, slow down, good shoes, etc.

Another tip I got from a personal trainer which helped my shins aurvive training for a marathon was to draw the alphabet with my toes. Did this daily while working at my desk and no shin splints at all.

Theo166

These were the bane of my cross country career in HS.
Focus on stretching and a shorter gait. If you've had these consistently all your life, my money is on your gait.