Does it seem like your teenager gets shin splints at the start of every sports season? Are you tired of dealing with shin splints whenever you try to get in shape? Why doesn’t “just resting” work? At Comber Physical Therapy Fusion Chiropractic, our physical therapists will identify all the factors associated with shin splints and, more importantly, how to resolve them and prevent future episodes from occurring!
Shin splints are an everyday complaint adolescent athletes report at the start of a new sports season or adults new to exercise or overtrain trying to get in shape. Unfortunately, most people are given the ineffective but universally recommended advice to rest and use ice, even though not all lower leg pain comes from the exact cause.
At Comber Physical Therapy Fusion Chiropractic, our physical therapists treat everyone differently. Although symptoms may be similar, the root cause is unique to your specific situation, and programs to resolve it should also be tailored to your needs.
Our therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to identify if the pain results from the stress reaction of the shin bone (tibia), a joint control issue, or overuse-type injury to the muscles and tendons of the lower leg and foot.
Request an appointment with one of our specialists to get to the root of your problem and resolve it once and for all!
What are shin splints, and what causes them?
Shin splints are a catchall term that can refer to front shin pain, middle shin pain, or any other lower leg pain. Regardless of where your symptoms are, the most common cause of pain is due to repetitive microtrauma to your bone, muscles, and/or tendons.
The repeated stress eventually exceeds your body’s ability to handle it; the result is pain and inflammation in the tissues of the lower leg. The exact location of the pain can help determine what contributes to it and how to resolve it effectively.
In most cases, a combination of factors leads to shin splints. Shin splints are typically divided into two main types:
- Anterior shin splints: This type of shin splint occurs in the muscles on the front of the shin (i.e., tibialis anterior).
- Medial tibial stress syndrome (Posterior shin splints): These injuries occur in the muscles on the inner to the back part of the shin bone back (i.e., tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and soleus muscles)
Knowing how, when, and where the condition started will point to all possible culprits and determine which one(s) are likely involved in the current situation.
It is common for an adolescent athlete to complain of shin splints at the start of the season. Countless parents have heard their children complain at the beginning of sports season (i.e., soccer, lacrosse, basketball, etc.). Increased running, running on hard or dried-out fields, and wearing new cleats/sneakers all contribute to this common issue.
Too often, adults do too much too soon when trying to get in shape and end up experiencing shin splints from improper training techniques. In addition, shin splints are a common running-related problem and typically develop from overtraining or inadequate rest. They are most commonly associated with middle and long-distance runners or high-impact activities, including too much hill training (up or down).
Any vigorous sports activity can bring on shin splints, but they are due to improper footwear for some. Runners that train in cushioned shoes and compete in minimalist style spikes can develop shin splints due to inadequate preparation from the different styles. The trend of maximum cushioning can also lead to the development of pain, especially in the muscles and tendons of the lower leg.
An athlete’s biomechanics, muscle strength, and joint mobility are all factors that may contribute to the development of overuse-type pain and injury. People with difficulty controlling pronation (foot flattening) are more likely to develop shin splints. Other factors that may contribute to shin splints include:
- High BMI
- Female gender
- Ankle and hip range of motion
- Previous history of pain and/or injury
At Comber Physical Therapy Fusion Chiropractic, our physical therapists are highly skilled clinicians that can help you identify the cause(s) of your shin splints and help you resolve them so you can get back to doing what you love without pain!
What to expect at your Comber Physical Therapy Fusion Chiropractic physical therapy visits
Our physical therapists start with a comprehensive evaluation to identify the possible reasons for your pain and limited function. We will also ask about previous injuries, current training, and your future goals to help us build a program tailored to your personal needs.
In addition, your therapists will assess your range of motion and strength and perform a detailed movement analysis before designing your program. When appropriate, we will assess your footwear and biomechanics to ensure we have covered all possible causes of pain and limitations related to shin splints.
All of this information will help determine your individualized program. Our highly trained Comber Physical Therapy Fusion Chiropractic physical therapists will use the most advanced treatment approaches, including targeted manual techniques and taping or inserts for pain relief and to improve tissue tolerance to activity.
In addition, we will teach you stretching and targeted mobility work to restore any lost range of motion and improve the body’s tolerance to stress. Your therapist will design a strengthening program to address any weaknesses or compensatory patterns to ensure we maximize your physical performance and minimize the risk of future pain/injuries.
Our goal is to address any restriction or weakness to resolve your condition thoroughly and prevent future episodes from interfering with doing what you love most!
Request an appointment today!
Our Comber Physical Therapy Fusion Chiropractic team of physical therapists will resolve your pain and weakness and provide the foundation for successful training while reducing future episodes so you can get back to the sports you love!
If you have been wondering if there is something you can do to get rid of your shin splints, there is; request an appointment today!
Sources:
- https://pedorthic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines-Second-Edition-PDF.pdf#page=320
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-60216-1_18
- https://www.physio-pedia.com/Shin-splints?utm_source=physiopedia&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=ongoing_internal
- http://medrehab.sbmu.ac.ir/article_1101036_en.html
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