WHAT IS IT?
Shin splints is pain along the inside of the shin that can range from a dull ache during activity to pain that lingers at rest. What's actually happening is the posterior tibialis muscle is pulling on the periosteum, the connective tissue that wraps the shin bone, due to repetitive stress and overuse. It's one of the most common running injuries and often shows up when mileage increases too quickly, but worn out shoes that no longer provide adequate support are another common culprit that gets overlooked.
common symptoms and signs
aching or tenderness when pressing along the shin bone
pain that starts during activity and gets worse the longer you go
soreness that lingers after activity or at rest in more severe cases
tightness in the lower leg that doesn't resolve with stretching
pain that gets worse with an increase in mileage or intensity
discomfort walking on hard surfaces for long periods
Who is a good fit?
you're someone who wants to understand what's going on in your body and actually do something about it. We work best with people who are ready to be an active part of their recovery, not just lie on a table and hope for the best.
SHIN SPLINTS
Ready to get back to moving?
Book an appointment and we'll figure out what's going on and how to fix it.
why does this happen?
Shin splints shows up most in runners but also in dancers and anyone who has recently ramped up their activity level faster than their body could adapt. It's a classic overuse injury. The tissue doesn't get enough time to recover between sessions and eventually starts to break down.
Two things we see consistently are a rapid increase in mileage and worn out footwear. Most runners don't replace their shoes nearly often enough, and once the cushioning and support break down the lower leg absorbs a lot more impact than it should. Weakness in the posterior tibialis and surrounding muscles is almost always part of the picture too, which is why just resting and coming back to running without addressing that tends to end in the same place.
how we treat it
We start with a movement exam to assess the lower leg and identify where the weakness and load issues are coming from. Treatment includes cupping, IASTM, and dry needling to address the posterior tibialis and surrounding muscles, followed by progressive loading to build the strength and resilience to handle running volume without breaking down.
It's worth noting that if shin splints are left unaddressed and training continues, there is a risk of progression to a stress reaction or stress fracture. If we suspect that's the case based on your symptoms, we will refer you out for imaging. We'd rather catch it early than push through something that needs more than soft tissue work.