Shin Splints are the name that most people are familiar with, however the technical term for this condition is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). Shin splints are a very common condition affecting nearly all runners at some point in their lives, and currently accounts for 17% of all running related injuries. As stated already the condition affects athletes that are involved in running and dancing sports. The exact cause of shin splints is unknown, however we do know that overloading the muscles in the anterior portion of the leg repeatedly will put too much stress on the tibia cause shin pain. Others attribute the pain to the muscle growth, saying that the muscle is growing to quickly causing it to separate from the bone. One thing we do know is that muscle imbalances including a weak core, weak calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus), along with a tight anterior tibialis will almost certainly cause shin splints over time. An interesting side note is that females are about twice as likely to develop shin splints when compared to males.

Symptoms – Most patients report pain and tenderness running the entire inside of their shin. The pain is generally a dull ache, but can be sharp during exercise. Swelling and bruising of the shin are also commonly reported. Pain is always worse with exercise, at times being to much to handle.

Tips – The best thing to do is prevent shin splints before they happen. Always use caution if you are just starting to run or starting a new training routine. Start slow and work your self into the routine. Regular stretching before exercise will help warm up the muscles and reduce the possibility of causing pain. After working out use ice on your shins, this will help relax the muscles and reduce the amount of inflammation. Lastly make sure to get regular adjustments, this will help prevent muscle imbalances that could cause shin splints. Stop in to Northern Edge Chiropractic LLC in Plymouth, MN we get great results treating all types of athletic injuries.