Shin Splints - Causes, treatment and how to beat them

Causes of Shin Splints

The most common cause of shin splint pain is inflammation. Bones have a protective outer layer known as the periosteum and the thin layer surrounding the tibia becomes inflamed as a result of repetitive impact or other stresses placed upon it.

What are shin splints?

Shin splints is a vague term, frequently used by runners, to describe pain felt in the general area of the shin. The pain may begin as a nagging ache but will be exacerbated by running or jumping and can develop into a more noticeable, significant pain if left untreated.

winter running - hidden dangers to look out for

‘The Nights Are Fair Drawin’ In’ - Someone once commented that as a group, we looked like some kind of alien landing craft hovering above the ground when our reflective kit was caught in car headlights so it’s fair to say that we all took visibility issues seriously when running at night.

Warming Up For Running

Static warm up stretches alone aren’t enough to prevent shin splints but taking the time to thoroughly warm up all of the muscles involved in running can be very beneficial in terms of helping to prevent many overstress, running related injuries. A progressive series of active stretches, known as drills, after a gentle warm-up jog can make all the difference - and they can be a lot of fun.

All you need is a flattish bit of ground about the distance of one streetlight to the next and then try these drill exercises to make your warm-ups child’s play:

forefoot running versus heel strike running

It’s generally accepted that in terms of competitive running, the fastest runners are the most efficient runners. It’s also known that biomechanically efficient runners at all levels are much less susceptible to running related injuries, including shin splints.

Choosing running shoes

When trying on new shoes. Lack of support and cushioning can also lead to shin splints so shoes designed for the type of running you intend to do are essential.

Two Pints Of Lager And A Remedy For Shin Splints Please!

In short, they’d gone from years of steady paced running to an eyeball-popping session of 25 x 200 metre sprints with only a 30 second recovery between each one!

You Know You’ve Got Shin Splints When… 4 classic symptoms to look out for:

If the soft tissue around your shin area becomes painful to touch it’s a good indicator of muscular shin splints causing inflammation