What are shin splints?
Shin splints refers to a pain along the shin bone (Tibia) in the front of your lower leg.
People who are involved in sporting activities, either casual, or professional or involved with jogging, running or jumping are more likely or more prone to shin splints. Also, those involved in theatre work, particularly professional dancing and ballet are also prone to shin splints. For others, a change or increase in the intensity of their training or sport can overwork tendons, muscles and bone tissue leading to shin splints.
Most people who suffer with shin splints can be treated via self-care and self-healing methods to prevent a reoccurrence of shin splints. It is essential that the person affected by shin splints ensures that they are wearing appropriate footwear for their work, sporting activities and exercise.
People who are involved in sporting activities, either casual, or professional or involved with jogging, running or jumping are more likely or more prone to shin splints. Also, those involved in theatre work, particularly professional dancing and ballet are also prone to shin splints. For others, a change or increase in the intensity of their training or sport can overwork tendons, muscles and bone tissue leading to shin splints.
Most people who suffer with shin splints can be treated via self-care and self-healing methods to prevent a reoccurrence of shin splints. It is essential that the person affected by shin splints ensures that they are wearing appropriate footwear for their work, sporting activities and exercise.
- Walking or running on rough terrain
- Excessive or intensive training programmes or work-outs without proper warmup exercises
- People who are prone to shin splints may have what’s known as ‘flat feet’
- People who are prone to shin splints may have what’s known as ‘high arches’
- People who are prone to shin splints may spend a lot of time standing as part of their job; army / military personnel / police, security guards etc.
- People who are prone to shin splints may include stage actors, professional dancers, hill and mountain climbers
- Always start with slow and gentle ‘warm-up exercises’ prior to any physical work or sporting activity
- Applying an ice-pack or heated wheat-pack to the painful area for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times daily may help to reduce levels of inflammation pain and swelling
- Swimming or water aerobics can be a very helpful activity for your overall body
- Exercising in the pool may be beneficial if you cannot swim, as the buoyancy of the water reduces the weight on your joints. This can be beneficial for overall exercise or following any injury of any kind to the physical body
- You may find that a reduction in any strenuous activity may help to improve any pain or discomfort.
- Maintain a healthy weight level. If you are carrying excess weight, this in itself can put added stress on your joints, limbs and particularly the legs
- Choose appropriate footwear for your normal activities or when involved in a particular sport, training or exercise programme
- Maintain good physical health, strength and flexibility
- As in many cases of injury you may be advised to rest for a number of days or weeks to reduce the risk of further damage, inflammation or injury
- Following a restful period, you may be able to return to exercise, but avoid any activity likely to aggravate the pain or injury
Self-help, self-care & self-healing options
Having received a professional diagnosis and medical attention, you have the choice of applying self-healing techniques which may help to accelerate and hasten the healing process and may also help as a preventative measure against future or further injuries, sprains, strains, cramps or physical discomfort.
Register today and start your self-healing journey straight away!
