There’s no other way to put it: shin splints are painful.
If you suspect this injury — perhaps because your shins throb after your morning run — it’s important to implement the right treatment strategy.
While shin splints generally heal on their own, there’s nothing wrong with seeking medical care if you’re unable to find relief at home.
Here are the three basic steps you should take to treat shin splints:
• Rest your body: Even though it’s difficult to break your routine, it’s critical to healing your shin splints once and for all.
• Ice therapy: This can reduce or eliminate both the pain and swelling that’s associated with shin splints. Apply ice directly to the injury for 30 minutes every three or four hours. If you do this for a couple of days, you’ll begin to find relief.
• Check your shoes: Shin splints are often the result of flat feet or worn-out shoes. By adding insoles, you give your arch the support it needs. This simple change may be all you need to prevent shin splints in the future.
Should you find yourself slowing down as the result of shin splints, take the three steps above in search of relief.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.