What can I do about aching shins?

Question

After soccer season ended about a week ago, I have been running between two and three miles a day on the road in my neighborhood. About ten minutes into my run, my shins start to hurt. About ten minutes after I stop running, my shins stop hurting. Any ideas on how to make them stop hurting?

Answer 1

You have shin splints. The treatment is rest, ice, stretching and strengthening. Shoes and running surface also contribute. Here are links to two articles that explain the treatment.

http://www.watfxc.com/TF/TF%20Education/shin_splints.htm

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/treating-preventing-shin-splints

Answer 2

Take a break from running for at least two weeks. Playing soccer already involved a lot of running and the pounding from the running and cutting that you probably had to do wore your shins down. But if you do decide to keep running, run on the grass. The main reason why your shins are hurting is from running on concrete. Since concrete has no give, your shins are absorbing the full contact with the ground which is making them hurt while you run.

Also, ice your shins or take an ice bath after you run if they hurt. Eventhough they may stop hurting after you run, that does not mean that they don't need to be iced. And for quicker results put epsom salt in your water. The desolved salt works like a pain reliever in the water.

Answer 3

YOu got some good advice already from some responders, but they all neglected to tell you why and how to prevent shin splints.

Ice - yes
Rest - yes
Stretching - yes

Now about the cause - MUSCLE IMBALANCE. Shin splints are caused by muscle imbalance. Calf strong, shin weak. The way to correct this is to strengthen the muscles at the front of the legs. Lie face down in bed with your toes hanging over the edge. Pull your toes upward against the resistance of the mattress. Try to work up to 3 or 4 sets of 5 – 10 reps each. Good Luck

Answer 4

Any time my shins start to to hurt I just ice them down with an ice cube or I get a bucket of cold water and put ice in them and soak my legs in it. Since I don't play soccer I don't run that much, but I do run Track so I don't know you could try that and see if it works.

Answer 5

Shin splints are no fun. You're probably under striding. Cut down on running, and when you do run, stay on the grass and lift your knees. What also helps are ice baths (great fun ;-)) Soak you calves in ice water for 5-10 minutes, but no more, and no less (less doesn't work, too much is bad)

Answer 6

SHIN SPLINTS. they suck horribly. Try not to run on concrete as much, running on the grass and in the woods is so much better for your shins, but you got to be careful that you won't twist your ankle. Also don't run as often. They'll just keep getting worse. I ran through the pain for a whole season.

Answer 7

Go to a running store that actually evaluates your stride/arch/pronation by using impression matts and other methods. Start with shoes that match your body and running style. Don't let anyone tell you to , "go buy Nike" or "go buy Asics" etc because you need a shoe that fits you and only a professional running shoe store can do that. You can find a good store by asking someone at your local "Team in Training LLS" chapter. You can google that phrase and find a local chapter. good luck.

Answer 8

you probobly have shin splints, after running or soccer, put ice on your shines. there are exercises that you can do like stand up and lift up your heels it will mkae your shines stronger. Also you can wrap you shines with tap when your running.

Answer 9

Are you gellin? JK, try epson salt in the hottest bathwater you can sit in... soak for 20 min... Also, try switching to the eliptical when your shins are hurting... shinsplints suck!

Answer 10

lay a bath towel on the floor and gather it together with your toes this will increas your strenght and will decrease shin splints