(516) 679-2225
It happens every spring… we see a wave of patients experiencing shin pain. The issue often turns out to be shin splints – also known as medial tibial stress syndrome – a common lower leg injury that causes pain along the inner side of the shinbone. Shin splint cases soar in April when people resume physical activities that may have been on the back burner during cold weather downtime.
How Do Shin Splints Happen?
Shin splints happen when the posterior tibialis muscle near the shin experiences a sudden increase in repetitive and/or high impact activity. Oftentimes, pain does not occur until later when the muscle is at rest.
Shin splints are an overuse injury frequently seen in runners, soccer players, basketball players, gymnasts, dancers, military trainees, and other people who run or move for extended periods of time. They are also common among those who start a new exercise or training regimen, and those who increase the frequency or duration of their training.
“Working through the pain” can compound the injury and lead to tendonitis, so it’s wise to address shin splints immediately and to take action to avoid making the problem worse.
What Helps with Shin Splints?
If you experience minor shin splints, you may be able to treat them at home with the RICE protocol. This acronym stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Avoid weight-bearing activity for 24-48 hours, apply an insulated ice pack for 15-20 minutes at a time (several times a day), wrap your shin and calf in an elastic bandage, and raise the injured leg above the level of your heart to prevent fluid retention.
If you experience discomfort, I recommend taking nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3®, a natural anti-inflammatory that can reduce swelling and relieve the tenderness and pain caused by your shin splints.
If your symptoms are painful, if they worsen, or if they recur… it’s time to consult a professional who can examine, assess, and treat your injury.
Can Physical Therapy Fix Shin Splints?
Physical therapy can relieve shin splints and decrease the likelihood of recurrence. PT can help you stretch and strengthen your leg muscles, as well as correct any biomechanical defects that led to the injury.
What is the Best Therapy for Shin Splints?
At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we offer a wide array of holistic treatments. We highly recommend Graston Technique® therapy, which uses myofascial release to relieve shin splint pain. Graston for shin splints uses precision instruments to identify injured soft tissue. These patented stainless-steel instruments show us where to manipulate the affected area to break down adhesions and knots, decrease inflammation, and promote successful healing.
The Graston Technique® is particularly attractive for shin splints because implementation and recovery take less time than many other methods, and you can still go about your daily business during treatment.
East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Creates Customized Holistic Treatment Plans
If you are experiencing shin splints, the East Bay Chiropractic Wellness team can create a holistic treatment plan to help you return to your normal routine. I am a certified Graston Technique® Specialist (GST) and was the first chiropractor on Long Island to be certified in the use of the technique. With more than 35 years of experience, you’ll be in good hands with us. Contact us online or call (516) 679-2225 for an appointment or to learn more about how we can help you.
