When running, does it help to wrap....?

Question

Does it help to wrap up the shins to avoid shin pain during and afterward? What about wrapping the knee, can that help avoid sore knees?

Answer 1

no
the best way to avoid shin and knee pain is to stretch properly before and after you run, and eat right. get lots of potassium and water.

Answer 2

I don't know specifically about wrapping to prevent pain. I know that it stabilizes joints which is what I do know a little about, but there is a better way to do that.

I was getting shin splints when running. I eat healthy and always stretch before and after a run, but the shin splints were still there. I went to a running specialty store and they watched me run on a treadmill and I found out that my ankles have severe overpronation when I run. That means that my ankles roll inwards when I run (they are supposed to roll a little bit as a natural suspension). I bought a running shoe that stabilizes my ankles while running and the problem has never returned. That can also be a source of knee pain as it puts extra strain on the bone and joints. I say check that out.

Also, for shin pain it can help to strengthen the shin muscle. simply tapping your toes works the muscle or pull against a clothe or band rapped around your foot and a table leg while sitting on the ground can be a good workout. Running uphill really works this muscle and mine is sore after doing so. Running downhill is bad for your knees because it puts a lot of stress on the joint. I hope that helps.

Answer 3

If you have shin splints you tape the shins in an X across the shins with tape around the ankle and bottom of the knee. This does help with the pain. For the knee It depends on what your knee pain is caused from. Torn joint, etc. There are different types of knee braces, some surrounding the whole knee and some just putting pressure on one torn ligament. Perhaps you need better shoes if you are getting serious injuries. Or maybe you should build up your distance. You may be jogging too far and getting injuried.

Answer 4

I have never heard of wrapping shins to minimize pain, but it may work. Give it a try and see if it works for you. Just be careful to use a wrap that won't come untied and/or unwrapped as you run.

The best preventative I know for shin splits is to lift and tap your toes up and down quickly and repeatedly with a little bit of force. Try doing this 2 or three minutes a shot on each leg 3 or 4 times a day and you may find your shin pain subsiding.

Answer 5

One good excercise to prevent shin splints is this. While standing, put one foot forward and start to "write" the letters of the alphabet with the big toe of that foot. Repeat with the other foot. It's kinda time consuming, and, when I first tried it, I only could get through "M". But after I worked it into my warm up, I had less shin problems.

Also, if you're having so many problems I would suggest making sure you have the proper shoes, and make sure you are not over-training.

Answer 6

im a cross country runner in high school, i run 13 miles everyday 5 days a week and 2 miles in a race once a week. since cross country season is temporarily out, i run 10 miles a day 5 days a week. shin splints. all ive ever done is take 3 ibprophens (or however you spell it) about 20 minutes before i start running. for about 15 minutes, ice each shin (same w/ your knees). we have to take bags of ice and water and strap them to our shins (knees/ankles). it starts to hurt like hell quick but js get through it. talk to other people, lay down and see how long you can hold your breath, ect..itll get better in a few minutes. when you take the ice off and after you start running, try to remember to bounce more off of your toes and focus on your footing. trust me, it helps. remember to stretch the second youre done running and then ice again. youll learn to js take the pain as it comes, cross country's all about self disipline but i think of it more as an experience.

Answer 7

sounds like poor nurition! try taking a multi vitimin!
you can wrap the knee but the shin pain means you need to stretch more! if what your currently doing isn't working then try longer stretches and shin stretches!

Answer 8

I do neither. I am overweight and have been running 10 years and never had any back, ankle, knee, or shin splints. I guess I am just lucky. Just run and don't worry about all the other junk, it will go away with time.

Answer 9

My knees were sore all the time. And since I've been running again, my knees hurt really bad, but the more I run the better I get and less pain. STRETCH THOSE MUSCLES and DRINK WATER!

Answer 10

If your knees are sore, see a sports medicine doctor. My wife and I have permanent knee damage. Don't follow in our error, see a doctor.