Pain in my shin while working out....Shin Splints?

Is it a burning pain up the front of your legs, lower down near your ankle?

That is shin splints - too much working out when your muscles havent recovered from the last one.

If you have swelling then you need to ice and strap the ankle/shin area and rest with the leg elevated (higher than your heart ie on a chair!)

Do not attempt to exercise while this is still hurting you, it is small ligaments tearing away from the shin bone because the muscle supporting them is too tired to do its job in supporting your weight.

I had it on both ankles and ended up in plaster for both mine.
Mine were caused by over training and not enough calories and not enough rest between exercising. ( I was bulimic and power-walked 200 plus miles a week!) I am still not able to train like I used to so please look after yourself and heal properly. Any exercise which does not bear your weight as much will be ok though, such as cycling.

AND of course CORRECT FOOTWEAR!!!
xxx

and strap that leg when you workout too to support the muscles.

my shins are tight when I'm running lately. I asked another runner for a good stretch and she said to stretch my hip flexors since that can transfer down the leg.

Yes it sounds like shin splints to me!!

Hi, I'm a sports physio and just a little bit of advice to help you. First of all you need to get an official diagnosis of what is going on. Shin Splints is a term thrown around, when it is actually an umbrella term for a number of conditions, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) or in fact compartement syndrome are the most common forms of shin splints in my experience. The positives of having the injury assessed and getting an official diagnosis is that you are more likely to get exactly the right form(s) of treatment you need and get back to normal faster. Go to a sports injury clinic, they'll assess you, how you walk, ask you about your training, footwear etc. The treatment is most likley to involve some form of massage, possibly hot or cold therapies, taping and some very specific stretching and exercise advice for aftercare, all of which will be aimed at the exact type of shin splints you have. From what you've said, it seems that you are predisposed to the condition because of the arches in your feet, that should come out when your gait(how you walk) is assessed. I would recommend at this stage if there is inflammation, apply ice, elevate the leg, do not do any weight bearing, resistance involved exercise, instead swap it for non - weight bearing exercise such as swimming, running in the water, cycling etc. Ibuprofen is an NSAID non steroid anti inflammatory drug you can take if it is very painful, but it only masks the symptoms, remember that.

ps. seeing an orthotics expert for the correct soles in your trainers is essential, they need to be tailored to your specific needs.

I had the same thing, I was using a trianer at the time....he said to really warm up well, I also used med tight ace bandages when I ran. It helped me.

Hi Lisa:

I was researching this shin pain this morning and ur page came up...I wanted to know did you ever get that resolved? if so, How? My pain has been intermittent my last 3 workouts I don't run though...I was doing a jumping jack workout this morning and had to keep pausing through it.

Any relief in sight?

Sarah

I had the same problem not long ago. Typically it relates to your shoes. I got new shoes and BAM. Problem solved. Not always the inserts will help. Just a thought.