Shin Splints: rest or push through it?

Rest and stretch.

Running through it won't help you heal. It could even set you up for worse injury.

See a sports masseuse, if you can. Best thing I've ever done for my legs.

rest. They won't go away if you don't.

Google shin splints - look for stretches and strengthening exercises that focus on that area. When you do feel better and start running again pay attention to your stride (which depending on the severity could take a few weeks) - they are often caused by overstriding. Your foot should land under your center of gravity, not in front of you.

I get really bad shin splints in both my legs, I tend to rest for a bit then start exercising again. I'm hoping as I lose weight and the strain is taken off my joints that they will ease off a bit.

Rest.
Use a medical rubber band or resistance band over your toe and do the alphabet...I think...

Rest for longer than you think you need to. They get worse and worse if you try to keep going. They're awful. I get them a lot. I once got them on vacation (because of trying to walk as fast as my super-tall husband) and I was in agony for the rest of the vacation because I 'had' to kepp going with all of our sightseeing. I was still in agony a month later. It took a very long time to heal.

Good arch supports and re-learning how to walk 'properly' has made a big difference for me.

i run it off then ice it at the end.

How old are your shoes? That can make a difference. I also have suffered from them, but only after mile 6 or so. I wear Zensah compression sleeves... they changed my life.

Good advice in general in this thread. RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) are the best treatment for shin splints. A couple of additions:

1) The root cause may be old or improper foot wear. If you haven't done so, go to a good local running shop and have them do a gait analysis. They can recommend good shoes to correct for imperfections in your gait (most of us have them). You may simply have old shoes which need to be replaced. You want to replace shoes every 300-500 miles or when they look worn. This won't fix your shin splints, only rest will do that, but it could prevent reoccurrence.

2) If they take more than a week or so to start feeling better, talk to a doctor. Preferably a sports medicine specialist. It could be something more serious than shin splints. Among other things, a stress fracture feels pretty much the same.

Exercises are another preventative. Not going to help with your current pain, but possibly prevent reoccurence,

It's not your joints, it's muscular - and shin splints are an overuse injury so rest is imperative. Use a roller on your calves and shins. Use ibuprofen. Ice x3 per day. Rest as much say can. Stretch t the calf as much Ada you can. When you do start running again, make sure you are stretching out well after your runs.

Anything not weight bearing will be fine, to maintain cv fitness. Cycle, swim, row, anything like that.

^This is the best summary of shin splint treatment I've seen here Thanks and congrats on spreading the knowledge.

I wouldn't recommend special shoes. You'd rather build up the pace and distance slower until form, muscle and joints are all ready for the same "goal". Or you'll just be moving your problem around by buying something you're training your body for.

I wouldn't recommend special shoes. You'd rather build up the pace and distance slower until form, muscle and joints are all ready for the same "goal". Or you'll just be moving your problem around by buying something you're training your body for.

Bad advice. Orthotics have save many runners who have structural anomalies. At this point I am not suggesting orthotics, I am suggesting adequate and professionally fitted running shoes. What shoe works for one will not necessarily work for another. (I have 3 pair of the same shoe and alternate them)

Often shin splints are the result of foot/shoe problems. Flat feet, inadequate arch support, over pronation. OP if you take anything away from this thread it is; "never try to run through shin splints." Shin splints require good ole fashion "butt time"

Shin splints can also be caused by different factors, such as the "Terrible Toos"...running too hard, running too fast, running too long, running on too hard of a surface.

This site may help some - http://www.medicinenet.com/shin_splints/article.htm

Agree with getting proper shoes for your gait. I was wearing the wrong kind of shoes for years. Go to a running store, they will watch the way your foot strikes. The right shoe is so important. Good Luck!

ps...getting a massage will help tremendously!!

Rest and stretch.

Running through it won't help you heal. It could even set you up for worse injury.

See a sports masseuse, if you can. Best thing I've ever done for my legs.

^^^What she said! And when they get better, look up some stretches to help shin splints and do them on a regular basis to help manage flare ups..

Rest. Would you rather run in pain or run pain free?

I was getting shin splints while running on pavement. Talked to my running buddy who has been running marathons for at least 10 years. He told me it was my shoes. He told me to go to a store that specializes in running shoes. He also told me they could be rather expensive.

Unfortunately, I can't afford these "expensive shoes" right now. Perhaps maybe when tax season comes, I'll be able to go in and get it checked out. So for right now, I run on the treadmill which helped me tons. No shin splints at all! I try to get a pavement run in when I can because ultimately, I would like to run a 5k on pavement.