Shin Splints Slowing You Down?

 

 

Have you ever left the treadmill after a great cardio session and felt an intense tightness in the front of your lower leg? You’re not alone! Shin splints are nothing short of annoying and can strike even the most conditioned athletes. So here’s what you need to know about shin splints and how you can avoid them the next time you lace up those sneaks.

 

 

 

What in the world are shin splints?   Shin splints describes the pain in the front of your lower leg, specifically across your tibia (or shinbone). This condition can be caused by running downhill, training in worn-out shoes, overtraining and playing sports with frequent starts and stops like basketball and tennis. The pain sometimes fades away while exercising, but it usually returns the next day and can worsen if you ignore them.

Your plan of attack:      Treat them with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)   Take a few weeks off from high-impact exercises such as running, jumping, kickboxing, etc.   Get a pair of shock-absorbing insoles or orthodics to correct your gait if necessary.   Stretch your lower leg both in the front (by pointing your toes) and in the back (with a calf stretch) everyday.   Start cross-training, or in other words, start engaging in different exercise activities that are different than your primary form of exercise.

Written by Elena Ciccotelli (TrainerDiva, Inc.)

To read more about Elena click here.

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