Today’s fit and healthy lifestyle tip is about shin splints. I currently have shin splints so I wanted to share some things I have learned.
Friday Tip: What to do for shin splints
There can be many causes for shin splints and a variety of treatments too. Shin splints, according to Wikipedia is often caused by running or jumping or sprinting and may be very slow to heal. A few other causes could be overused muscles or tight calves.
From what I have learned, there is a lining around the bone that becomes inflamed and as I have found out can be truly painful. I have done various stretching exercises and icing to lessen the pain. At times I have taken ibuprofen and even begged hubby to massage them (not even sure if that is OK or not but it feels good after wards ha ha). Of course I was fitted for and bought a great pair of running shoes before I even started running and a few weeks later bought shin splint sleeves to see if they would help. They have made a huge difference although I still have pain on my left side so we are keeping an eye on that.
Here is a more in depth article on what to do for shin splints for you to read on my main website:
Hope you have enjoyed today’s Friday tip!
Have you ever had shin splints?
*Disclaimer: Remember this tip was from research I have done and my own personal experience. Please be sure to seek advice from a trained professional for help with shin splints.
After reading this part “A few other causes could be overused muscles or tight calves.” I’m thinking that maybe shin splints are what I’m suffering from right now.
Ever since I started walking the 3 miles every days my shins seem to be getting sorer and sorer (of course my knees are bugging me too). The mistake I’ve made is that I haven’t been doing any type of stretching – I figured hey I’m just walking no biggie right? lol Yeah right! There’s definitely an importance to it.
If the pain gets much worse I’ll probably have to go to the doctor. But I’m really hoping that with a couple days of rest it will go away. Ibuprofen has helped. I might try the icing like you mentioned!
Like you said – they are slow to heal but do they ever completely go away or are shin splints something that you’ll suffer with forever?
.-= Tishia – No More Plus Size´s last blog ..Three Problems I Could Use Your Help With =-.
Ouch Tishia, sorry you’re going through that. I’m not a doc nor do I pretend to play one LOL but I don’t think it would hurt to ice them just in case. And as far as stretching, I was bad at it too, still am, sometimes just forget to do it but then I pay for it. One of the stretches I do is lay on my back on the floor with one leg up in the air at a time and just flex and point my toes.
As for them going away, I have heard that yes they do go away after you start to develop a stronger muscle around it. Thank goodness right?
I find that icing my shins with a bag of frozen peas works wonders!
Fingers crossed our snow melts by next week!
Frozen peas what a concept! I should have saved my money but I bought one of those ice packs they use on The Biggest Loser. It’s nice though because I can walk around with it on if I need to.
Kev says we will have a nice week but might rain next weekend. Just my luck!
Hello Angie!
I did not know what shin splints are until I read your article today. I have probably experienced shin splints after exercising. I used to think that stretching is not necessary before walking but my aunt, who is a personal trainer, told me that stretching is important even before engaging in light activities, such as walking.
Angie, did you have the chance to read the email I sent you at angie[at]losingitandlovingit[dot]com?
Matthew,
I have heard varying opinions on the stretching before exercise. I just make sure to warm up well before I get going on major cardio.
I did get your email and will reply this week. Thank you!
Back in high school and college, I ran for the cross country team and every year I got shin splints. The doctor told me it was because 1) change of the surface I was running on (road, track and dirt trails) and 2) the way I was running was adding stress to the my shins as opposed to my calves. I tried orthotic inserts in my running shoes, but it didn’t really change the way I was running (like a girl – LOL)
Really the only help for shin splints is rest, ice (or bagged peas!) and ibuprofen.
I feel your pain – I remember all too well the hurt! I think shin splints hurt as much as the growing pains I experienced as a child.
.-= Cara Mirabella´s last blog ..Spring Cleaning Week! =-.
Oh and one more thing about shin splints – they can be caused by doing to much to fast. For example, if you’re walking start with 1 mile then increase by 10% the next week, and 10% the next. Don’t just go to 5 miles.
.-= Cara Mirabella´s last blog ..Spring Cleaning Week! =-.
Cara,
Thanks so much for your feedback on shin splints! I’m definitely not doing things too fast in fact I feel I’m going too slow but the shin pain is starting to lessen and I’m feeling better after each run. I’m thankful for that. We’ll see what I say about running come Dec. after the 1/2 marathon. At this point, I’m not sure if it’s something I’ll love enough to keep doing but we will see. I think hubby wants to do the Disney Marathon after so we’ll see if I have it in me to do a full.