Shin Splints

[runrevolt]

Who has had shin splints in the past? Did you know the cause of them? What did you do to remedy them? How long did it take you?

[crapiecorn]

I had bad shin splints in the past. The main reason was my weight (230/240) but also technique was an issue. I tried icing etc.. but the only thing that helped was dropping the weight and making my running lighter (shorter stride, more mid/forefoot etc..).

[JP]

i had splits too a while back when i was much heavier... disappeared when i lost some weight.

very common among guys in my sport.

no use to a runner though

[runrevolt]

Sounds like I just need to drop about 50 pounds...so that would be put me at...Dead.

[crapiecorn]

Have you tried compression socks already ? For some it works.

[xrodolfox]

I have never had shin splints, but from what I have read, I have prevented them by *not* pulling my toes towards my knee (flexing the tibialis anterior muscles), and *not* having my feet slap the ground (also forcing the tibialis anterior muscles on the front of the lower leg to flex) when I run.

But then again, I do not run that much (perhaps 40miles a week MAX, but averaging 15miles a week), so my experiments are easy to come by with that small of a load.

[MikayP]

ive read that a lot of barefoot exercises help. such as scrunching up a towel with your toes or trying to pickup marbles with your toes. should feel a little burn in your shins. i read that brendan brazier had shin splint issues, and he did the towel technique and it went away

[skoptic]

stretch your calves more!!! works for me whenever I get it

[E-P]

I had really bad ones 6 years ago, I couldn't really even walk up the stairs. I went to a sport massagist which helped greatly but when I started running again I got them back. Because of this I stopped running for 5 and half years. Now I started again and haven't gotten them back. Reason are (I believe):
- Better running shoes
- Better running position
- Extremely careful start
- Extremely careful increase of distance

I am not saying that everybody who have shin splits should stop running for 5 and half years. I am just not very patient person so I gave up. If you got them just keep a good break from running, treat your legs, stretch, go swimming and cycling instead and when start again start very carefully walking and running.

[Frostfire]

Get arch support I had them pretty bad when I was a young slender runner (so weight wasn't the issue). It turned out that I didn't have enough arch support in my feet so when I'd land, the arch would flatten downwards and, all things being connected, would pull on the inside/front of my ankle and lower shin muscles and tendons. Getting a good and proper arch support instantly relieved the pain and I've been fine ever since.

[sergio]

Post necromancy.

Got really bad shin splints because playing basketball (with shitty shoes) like three months ago and it seems they are here to stay. It only hurts when I run so I don't even try. Aside from these advices, would be a physio particulary useful with this kind of pain? Any experience with this?

I'm frustrated.