Shin splints – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 by Ralph Flores

Shin splints, also referred to as the medial tibial stress syndrome, is a condition where the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia are inflamed. This usually causes pain along the inner border of the bone, especially in the areas where the muscles are attached.

The most common cause of shin splints is exercise, where the condition usually develops after starting a fitness program. While it is often associated with running, any vigorous physical activity can cause shin splints.

To relieve and prevent shin splints, taking care not to exert too much effort during exercise, as well as rest and stretching, are essential.

Known risk factors and symptoms of shin splints

Shin splints occur when the muscle and the bone tissue in the leg are strained, usually because of a repetitive motion such as running. It can also develop after sudden changes in physical activity, such as increasing the frequency and duration of exercise. Running long distances can also result in shin splints.

Other factors, such as having flat feet or abnormally rigid arches or exercising with footwear that does not provide support are also causes of shin splints. For the most part, dancers and those in the military recruits are often diagnosed with the condition.

Common symptoms include:

Tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner side of the shinbone
Mild swelling in the lower leg

The pain may disappear after a person stops exercising; however, it may recur and even lead to a stress reaction or a fracture.

Body systems affected by shin splints

The following are possible complications of shin splints:

Inflammation and arthritis of surrounding joints, usually a result of changing posture
Strain in the back because of abnormal gait
Stress in the foot muscles and tendons
Disability, in severe cases

However, pain in the lower legs and shins could also be a sign of:

Stress fracture – defined as tiny cracks in the bone, these types of fractures are localized and often affect one leg
A sprain or strain – aside from pain, swelling and bruising is seen in the area
A tendon injury – a grating or crackling sensation is felt when moving the affected area
Peripheral arterial disease – the condition, which reduces blood supply to the legs, causes an aching pain which dissipates after a few minutes of rest
Compartment syndrome – this causes muscles cramps during exercise which fades quickly during rest

Food items or nutrients that may prevent shin splints

To manage shin splints, there are many nutritional supplements available. Some of these include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, grape seed extract, proteolytic enzymes, garlic, Boswellia, and cat’s claw. Boswellia, in particular, produces a gum that has been used to treat muscle pain, as well as fibromyalgia, arthritis, gout, and lower back pain.

Treatment and management options for shin splints

If a person experiences shin splints, he should first stop running completely, then apply ice to the affected area to reduce inflammation.

Other suggested treatments to manage or even prevent the condition include the following.

Stretching. There are a lot of ways to stretch to prevent shin splints. These include:
- Kneeling on a carpeted floor – with legs and feet together and toes pointed back – and slowly sitting onto your calves and heels. Push the ankles into the floor until the muscles of the shin are tensed up.
- Sitting and tracing the alphabet using the toes using each leg.
- Alternately walking regularly and on the heels
Wrapping. One way to manage shin splints during running is wrapping the leg before a run. Start just above the ankle and continue to just below the knee.
Cross-training. Activities such as swimming, running and riding a bike are good ways to exercise while waiting on the shin to heal.
Managing work-outs. Once a person is well enough to run after a shin splint, he should start slowly, increasing his mileage by no more than 10 percent in a week. Avoid hills and hard surfaces until the pain goes away completely, then re-introduce them gradually.
Wearing proper gear. If necessary, a person with shin splints should get running shoes that fit his specific foot type. It is also good practice to have two pairs of shoes and wear them alternately to vary leg stress.