Shin Splints - Need your help please

Have you been fitted for shoes at a shop that analyzes your gait? Many people get shin splints because they are not wearing the right type of shoes for the way their foot lands when they run.
Also, I've found that I run differently on a treadmill than I do on asphalt (I'm not sure why - I think it's because I'm afraid I'm going to fall off the side of the treadmill) so you may want to pay attention to that as well.

As others have said, get fitted for a shoe! Try running with compression sleeves on during the entire run and afterwards, and get a foam roller or stick and after each run, massage your shins really good. There's good videos on you tube on how to use a foam roller if you're not sure what that is.

I had horrible shin splints as long as I ran in running shoes. I got fitted for them, bought the custom inserts, and didn't skimp out on the shoes. Still, awful shin splints. I could only run a couple of minutes at a time before they were just debilitating and I had to slow to a walk.

Since I'd tried all of the fancy shoe technology, I thought the only thing I had left to try was barefoot-style running. I bought a pair of Vibrams, and sure enough, after slowly breaking my calves in to the new form, my shin pain was gone. Not reduced, but entirely gone. I don't even notice my shins when I run now. I'm a total convert. (I've since learned the reason for the reduced impact is multifaceted: when using minimalist footwear or running barefoot, the arch of your foot isn't constricted and can freely act as a spring. Landing on your forefoot enables your calve muscles to absorb some of the shock, and even more importantly, if you run with a high enough cadence, the tendons in your legs will also act as springs... absorbing shock, but releasing it again with the next step... helping you run more efficiently with the same energy expenditure. Here's a great snippet from a scholarly publication that breaks it down better than I can: http://www.unshod.org/pfbc/pfrossi.htm )

I will say, I think part of the difference is landing with a forefoot strike instead of a heelstrike. Traditional running shoes encourage a heel strike, but with minimalist shoes, you don't have the padding and it hurts to land on your heel, so you naturally adopt a fore or midfoot strike pattern. If your shoes don't have super massive clunky heals, you might try landing more on the forefoot with your existing footwear. It won't give you natural use of your arch back, but it's a step in the right direction if you are currently heel-striking.

Good Shoes, Rest, Ice, and the anti inflam. meds. Some of my soccer girls get them pretty badly. They also sell shin splint sleeves. You can google them on line. Good luck.

I ignored advice like this in the past - it's correct though. I was getting them TERRIBLY and I have to buy a specific type of running shoe because I walk / run on the outsides of my feet. I walked for 23 years without ever noticing this but the difference I feel is AMAZING. Everyone walks differently - some people need little support and others need thick soles. Look for a Running Den near you, get your walk analysed and they'll show you what types of shoes are best for you and even how to lace them properly (depending on the top of your foot, you'll need your shoes laced a certain way too). Who knew there were so many criteria around them ol' sneaks?

Everyone walks differently - some people need little support and others need thick soles.

Or so the shoe manufactures would have you think! I think in most cases, you're correcting for problems that aren't really there and instead are caused by the show to begin with. Your feet are evolutionary masterpieces and have served us well for thousands and thousands of years. Running shoes, conversely, came out a few decades ago-- the same time running injuries started increasing.

Stretching before and most especially after my routine helped me most!

I had a trainer who suggested strengthening my shins with resistance bands. Secure the ends of the resistance band around something that won't move, or get someone to hold the ends for you, a few feet in front of you. Sit in a chair or on a bench, and with the band across the toe of your foot, slowly flex and release about 15 times then switch to the other foot. The band should stay pretty level and not slip off your toe. I did this after workouts 3 times each leg, and it made my shins hurt less.

There is all kinds of exercises to strengthen and prevent shin splints, try you tube maybe.

Also ice the daylights outta those puppies, get that blood circulating and helping.

Good luck I know they hurt like heck!