Shin splints

BKtje

Hi folks, just hoping to get a bit of advice if possible.

Started back very actively to running/rugby/football since the start of the summer after quite a few years of sitting on my ass.

Recently, i've been getting fairly painful, err, pains at the bottom of my shins. This is especially the case on the "fake grass" type pitches but also happens, but to a lesser degree, on "proper" astro.
Usually they aint too bad and i can just ignore em but it's a bit of a pain (pardon the pun) all the same. I also realise that shin splints is a symptom rather than a diagnosis.

I've read that ice/ice spray can help afterwards but tbh once i stop running they pretty much go away so not a huge deal (tho i guess still an idea to do it).

Would strapping them up help at all? Are there any special stretches i should be doing? I don't recall any (other than calf stretches) from my rugby days.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

BJohnson

Hi there,

I'm a marathon runner and a chiropractor that treats a lot of sports injuries. Shin splints are usually caused by severe tightening of the tibialis anterior, the muscle that lies in front of your shin. Some deep tissue massage of the muscle usually works wonders for it. I do something called Active Release Technique to get in there and aggressively loosen up the tissues. Let me know where you are and maybe I can recommend someone in your area that can help.

Regards,

Brian

ronbyrne2005

http://www.watfxc.com/TF/TF%20Education/shin_splints.htm