Are You Suffering From Shin Splints?

Your shin is located on the front of your lower leg between your knee and ankle. The pain felt in this area is referred to as shin splints. Shin splints are medically known as tibial stress syndrome and commonly affect athletes who participate in moderate to high physical activities, like running or playing sports. If you have any questions or think you may be suffering from shin splints, contact our team at Movement Concepts Physical Therapy near Westbury, Garden City, and Rockville Centre today.  

Causes of Shin Splints

Shin splints occur from repetitive stress and force on the shin bone and the tissues attaching the muscle to this bone. This causes the muscles to swell and put pressure on the bone which results in inflammation and pain. Shin splints can also result from small bone fractures in the leg. Athletes who increase or change their workout routine are more likely to develop shin splints.

Risk factors

Risk factors for developing shin splints include:

• Running uphill and downhill
• Running on uneven or hard surfaces
• Wearing unsupported or worn out shoes when working out
• Increase in frequency, duration or intensity of a workout  

Symptoms

Symptoms of shin splints can include:

• Dull pain that affects mostly the middle to lower part of the shin
• Pain that develops during exercise
• Tenderness
• Pain if pressed or squeezed
• Muscle pain
• Swelling of the lower leg

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, contact Movement Concepts Physical Therapy near Westbury to get the help you need regarding shin splints and it’s symptoms.

Treatment

After getting diagnosed with shin splints your physical therapist may suggest:

• • Physical therapy – continuing to go to physical therapy is important to help strengthen your shin and the surrounding muscles.
  • Rest – take a few days off from playing sports or exercising and slowly ease yourself back into your routine.
  • Ice – to help ease the pain and swelling, ice your shins for 15 minutes, 1-3 times a day.
  • Hands-on massage – massaging the shins helps increase blood flow and reduce swelling. Our physical therapist will incorporate this as a part of the physical therapy session.
  • Stretches – stretching the calf and foot will help strengthen the weak muscles.

Shin splints are a common injury but luckily, they can be easily treated. If you believe you have developed shin splints and are in need of physical therapy near Westbury, contact Movement Concepts Physical Therapy to make an appointment with our team today!