SHIN SPLINTS? - General Health Message Board

softballmom14 · 06-17-2001, 09:47 PM

I HAVE JUST STARTED WALKING/RUNNING ABOUT 2 MILES A DAY,I HAVE NEVER TRIED THIS BEFORE.
I STARTED OFF WALKING 1 MILE, THEN OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK HAVE GONE ON TO 2. THE PROBLEM IS MY SHINS ARE KILLING ME!
THE PAIN IS LOCATED FROM ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN MY SHINS, IT HURTS WHILE I WALK/RUN VERY BADLY. TENDER TO TOUCH, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST WHERE MY MUSCLES WERE NOT USED TO IT, SO I HAVE BEEN FORCING MYSELF TO CONTINUE. THE PAIN IS THERE WHILE I AM RUNNING OR WALKING, SOMETIMES IT LETS UP DURING MY WORKOUT, BUT AFTERWARDS IT STARTS AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
SHIN SPLINTS WHAT ARE THESE AND THE SYMPTOMS?
WHAT CAN I DO? ALSO I HAVE NOTICED (NICKEL SIZE) BRUISES ALONG MY SHIN BONE. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT THIS MIGHT BE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
THANKS SO MUCH!

eddy01 · 07-05-2001, 07:39 PM

Hello--I hope this reply helps a little bit. What you have is most likely shin splints. Basically shin splints is where the muscle around the shin begins to rip away from the bone (causes bruising). Don't be too worried as it is not very serious and happens to the best of us. It is caused by the muscle not being used or worked therefore it is not strong enough to support your activity. Now as you can probally tell for yourself.. the shin area is a very tough place to gain muscle,therefore you must gradually work your way up from easier activity to more intense. Your shoes might also play a part in aquiring shin splints. If your running, make sure they are proper running shoes with lots of support. What you need to do to is rest your shin splints and let them get back to normal (try putting ice on them). Continue to excersise--just take it a little easier. Walking is an excellent way to excersise and it is nice and easy on your joints, knees, etc. I hope this helps!! good luck.

leeanne · 09-13-2001, 04:59 PM

i love running and I've had shin splints many a times. The only thing you can do to get them to go away is to rest them...that's what my chiropractor told me. If you're running on a road.. run on the shoulder because it's softer there and that should help a bit also. Shin splints are a pain in the tush! Good luck!

karenortwein · 09-14-2001, 07:27 AM

I had to give up running and race walking due to shin splints. It was found that I was a "heel striker", meaning that my foot hit the pavement incorrectly. I tried to resolve the strike problem but to no avail so I had to give it up. Whatever you do, do not run or walk on concrete. If you don't have a choice, then try another form of exercise--you can absolutely RUIN your body on concrete.

shia · 10-20-2001, 09:50 AM

Hi

I actually treated a man last night at my school's massage clinic with shin splints...
Shin splints usually occur for a few reasons...
#1- not wearing proper foot wear... you need shoes that are soft and have good arch and ankle support...
#2-not stretching before you go walking... you have to warm up your muscle or else you cause microtearing of the muscle...
#3-from a dietary imbalance... not enough potassium or sodium... eat bananas and things with salt in them...

Hope this helps...
Good Luck!
Shia