Shin splints!! OWWWW!!

[gatormommy07]

Anyone have any good ways to make them stop hurting, and/or prevent them?

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

Compression sleeves helped me a lot. I wore them on any run if my shins were hurting and after they felt better, I still wore them on any run over six miles.

Icing helps too and if you can stand it, an ice bath really helps after a run.

I also got superfeet inserts for my shoes, but who knows if that helped or not?

I know what makes them worse for me is running up and down hills, running on concrete (sidewalks) and running faster than I should be. Hope they feel better soon!!

 

[gatormommy07]

Thanks for the response!! Everything you said that makes yours feel worse is exactly what I have been doing. We live in a pretty hilly neighborhood. lol I will definitely do the ice thing, probably not a bath, though. I like cold, but not that much!! I wrapped it this morning,after about 3 hours my leg felt better. A friend of mine who runs told me to just rest (as in don't run) until it stops hurting, but I am stubborn and don't want to!! This along with my knee, I am going to start looking like a mummy on my runs.

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

Good luck! I just noticed your username, I'm a Gator fan too (UF graduate and I still live in Gainesville) and my youngest son's name is Eli too! Just funny coincidences!!

 

[pix13dust]

The guy who fitted me for my running sneakers gave me a great tip. At the time I had terrible shin splints from running in bad sneakers - too bad because they were SO cute. Anyhow, sit down, cross your legs at the knee ( like you're a lady wearing a skirt ) and flex the foot not touching the ground up and down about 10 times. Switch legs and repeat 2 or 3X a day. It works wonders! Great to do when you don't have shin splints as well, it keeps them at bay!
Good luck!

 

[Dagna]

A tip I got back in the 80s worked like magic for me, when I got horrendous shin splints while training for a marathon. I sat on the kitchen counter and hung a 5-lb ankle weight from the front of my foot. Then I did three repeats of 10 times lifting the weight with my toes. I did this on both legs, once or twice a day. Within 10 days my shin splints were history. Now whenever I get the slightest twinge I head to the kitchen with my ankle weight (I only have one as this is all I use it for--lost its mate years ago ).

The explanation the running book (sorry, can't remember which one it was, since it was so long ago) gave for why this works is: they claimed shin splints are caused by an imbalance in the muscles. Running builds up the calf muscles on the back of your lower leg; this toe weight-lifting works the muscles on the front of your lower leg to balance things back out. I have no idea if that's right; I just know it works for me.


ETA: Gator here, class of mumbledy-mumbledy

 

[gatormommy07]

Good luck! I just noticed your username, I'm a Gator fan too (UF graduate and I still live in Gainesville) and my youngest son's name is Eli too! Just funny coincidences!!

My husband went to UF. Feels like a really long time ago, but only like 13 or 14 years, which I guess is quite a while!! My big kids were born in Gainesville, we lived there for a few years, I love it there!! That is too funny about our youngest boys having the same name! Thanks for the luck!!

 

[gatormommy07]

The guy who fitted me for my running sneakers gave me a great tip. At the time I had terrible shin splints from running in bad sneakers - too bad because they were SO cute. Anyhow, sit down, cross your legs at the knee ( like you're a lady wearing a skirt ) and flex the foot not touching the ground up and down about 10 times. Switch legs and repeat 2 or 3X a day. It works wonders! Great to do when you don't have shin splints as well, it keeps them at bay!
Good luck!

I have been doing that a lot without even thinking about it! Thanks for bringing it to mind!

 

[gatormommy07]

A tip I got back in the 80s worked like magic for me, when I got horrendous shin splints while training for a marathon. I sat on the kitchen counter and hung a 5-lb ankle weight from the front of my foot. Then I did three repeats of 10 times lifting the weight with my toes. I did this on both legs, once or twice a day. Within 10 days my shin splints were history. Now whenever I get the slightest twinge I head to the kitchen with my ankle weight (I only have one as this is all I use it for--lost its mate years ago ).

The explanation the running book (sorry, can't remember which one it was, since it was so long ago) gave for why this works is: they claimed shin splints are caused by an imbalance in the muscles. Running builds up the calf muscles on the back of your lower leg; this toe weight-lifting works the muscles on the front of your lower leg to balance things back out. I have no idea if that's right; I just know it works for me.


ETA: Gator here, class of mumbledy-mumbledy

Thanks for the tip! I need to find some ankle weights now! I unfortunately didn't get to go to UF, but my hubby did. I was going to Santa Fe CC for a while, but then I got married and pregnant, morning sickness and morning classes are not a fabulous combo. Anyway, I will always be a gator girl!!

 

[gatormommy07]

geesh! I really need to learn how to multi-quote!! lol

 

[Dagna]

Update: Just saw a reference that credited the 70s/80s running guru Dr Sheehan for those shin splint exercises.

 

[JoeKir]

Toe lifts are a great way to strengthen the muscle to prevent shin splits. I would also recommend compression calf sleeves to prevent your leg muscles from "bouncing" with every step, look at getting minimalist shoes and train your form to best prevent landing on your heel (this is where the minimalist shoes help).

 

[OregonGirl]

KT Tape is also very cool. I scoffed at it for the longest time because.... well, its just tape... but boy was I proven wrong.

You have to apply it correctly but it totally makes a difference. I am struggling with shin splints myself and they are a life saver.

http://www.kttape.com/

- Carey

 

[gemini2727]

Thank you for the tips! My daughter just started track (hurdles) and has been getting bad shin splints ever since. I'll have to have her try these exercises