Shin Splints

[Erudite]

I think "shin splints" is the right term...it's when your legs hurt between the bone and the muscle of the shin. Does it go away with continued exercise and/or stretching? Am I feeling it because I'm running more? Or is it a shoe thing?

I ran for like 20 seconds on the sidewalk last night and it hurt to do that plus it hurt again this morning as I started running though I don't remember it toward the end of my run on the treadmill. Are shin splints a pavement thing? Tell me it goes away.

[5ft Diva]

runamyrun says that the worst place to run is on the sidewalk. Concrete doesn't give at all so there is absolutely no cushioning. She's told me to run on the road pavement or on the dirt/grass. That's all the knowledge I have since that's all I've been taught. I do believe they go away. (I do hear the sand is the best place to run!)

As far as shoes, I bought some and I noticed a huge difference. I was reading that running shoes are meant to take a lot, and I mean a lot - I want to say it was like 250X your weight - of shock absorbance. You'll notice a big difference. You may want to consider how long you've had your shoes and how many miles you've used them for and all that fun stuff. Good luck!

[Big_Sissy]

Make sure you are stretching your calves, and you can do some exercises to help with it.

When you are sitting in a chair, just start moving your toes (the whole foot) toward your shin and you should feel the muscles in your shin start to burn after a while. This will help them to not happen again. Also, good shoes. Can't say enough for good shoes.

[finnican]

Yes, shin splint is the right term for that annoying pain in your lower legs.

First of all that pain will go away with the right kind of care...and shoes.

If you are going to walk, jog or run regularly you should get good shoes (not the cheapest shoes you can find for a discount) for your own health. There are many things you can do to help for intance Shock Absorbing Insoles will give extra support for your feet.

But of course you can't forget to warm up for a few minutes before. That allows your body (muscles, ligaments, tendons & etc.) to warm up. With a good warm up you can prevent most injuries. If the pain is in the muscles it usually goes away with stretching & exercising. If the pain is in tendons or ligaments or if you have a hair fracture in your Tibia or fibula bones (lower leg bones) the healing takes longer and it will not get better with exercising.

Always a softer terrain is better than hard. Softer like grass, forrest and ect. gives a good cushion for your body.

There are inflamatory creams that help with the healing prosess. And never forget the importance of stretching.