Shin Splints consists in a throbbing pain in the shin area caused by damage to the posterior peroneal tendon. The resulting swelling occurs in the front or inside section of the shin bone. In many cases, shin pain in runners results from intense physical activity such as running or jumping; shin pain in runners can require an extended period of time to improve.

Common Symptoms of Shin Splints

The symptoms for shin splints include tightness and/or tenderness around the shin, especially after running, walking, or participating in sports activities. The pain typically presents itself at the beginning of the workout, then lessens slightly, and reappears when settling into rest. It is not uncommon for shin splints in runners to occur in people who have just started to get involved in running, walking, or sports activities.


Shin Splints: Common Causes

The main cause of shin pain in runners is undue stretching of the muscles and tendons that run along the shin bones (tibia and fibula). Overuse of these muscles by athletes and runners is the most common trigger for this condition. Other causes for shin pain in runners can also be due to excessive use of the anterior tibialis muscle in the front of the leg, along the outside front of the shin bones.

Over pronation of the feet can also be a major contributing factor for shin pain in runners. Over pronation leads to internal tibial rotation and amplifies the tractional forces upon the ligaments and muscles in the lower leg.

Shin Pain: Treatment and Relief

For the immediate
term, it is recommended that the individual rests to help reduce shin pain in runners. Running and other strenuous activities should be minimized until the condition is under control. Shin splints are often prevented by performing stretching exercises before intense sports activity. It is important for athletes and runners to steadily build up their activity level, and always go through a proper warm-up before abrupt or intense exercise. A change in running style to eliminate overstriding and avoiding heavy heel strike can also contribute to a reduction of shin pain in the long term.

The use of appropriate footwear is also a good way to prevent and reduce the effect of shin splints, especially for runners who strike heavily with the heel. Running shoes with proper rear foot stability should be used whenever possible. Additionally, orthotics for sports are useful in that they help prevent over pronation and providing heel cushioning, thus reducing the impact while assisting with heel stability.

In general, athletes and runners need to continuously maintain proper foot health in order to stay in top performance shape.

About the Author:
Orthotics are very important for maintaining natural body balance. That’s why researchers at Footminders do extensive research on orthotic insoles and shoe inserts to provide maximum comfort and support. You can find more information and treatment for many types of foot pain at www.footminders.com