Aching shins?

Question

I just started to get involved in running. Whenever I run, though, my shins start to hurt. Why is that, and how can I help it?

Answer 1

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 2

I trained for a marathon and had terrible shin splints. As it turns out, I was running with the incorrect shoes. I went with a "motion control" shoe that provides inner support. I have a tendancy to "over pronate" when I run. You may have the same running style. If there is a running store in your area, you should go to them with your current running shoes. They should be able to tell by the wear on your soles what type of runner you are and fit you with the right shoes. After a week or so after I changed to "motion control" shoes, the shin splints went away and never came back. Asic and Brooks make a good "motion control" shoe.

The other think you could do is try and shorten your stride. This may also help and should not slow you down. You will just need to pick your feet off the ground a little faster to compensate for the reduction in your stride.

Answer 3

Some tips for Shin-splints:
1.) Run on the grass.
2.) Wear comfortable shoes...visit a RUNNING shoe store because the people there are usually experts and can tell you if your tennis shoes need to be replaced or they are only for show, not heavy use.
3.) ICE- at first its a little painful but use either frozen peas or frozen corn and put it on your shin splints for 8 minutes.
4.) Run every other day until your fitness gets up.
5.) Take an anti-inflamitory drug after running (ibuprofen, etc)
***6.) Walk on your heels for 50 feet as part of your warm-up.
7.)Make sure you are taking in plenty of calcium and protein.
8.) Watch your step! Make sure you arent a heavy-heel hitter when you run. Strike the ground with a semi-flat foot;more towards the toes.
9.) Have fun out there! Be safe :)

Answer 4

If it is shin splints you need to deal with them now before they get worse. They won't actually injure you (that is to say it won't hurt you even more running on them) but the will steadily get worse and hurt more and more. I got them so bad that my leg felt like it was going to collapse every time I put weight on it.

Ice them and then brutally massage them. Really mork right by the shin bone. Where it hurts most when you press on it, that is where you need to massage most, and you won't get through it without dealing with the pain of the massage. If you can get "The Stick" it is an amazing massage tool that you rub on your muscles hard to massage them.

Answer 5

Sounds like classic shin splints.
Stretch your legs, massage and use ice after you run.

Try to relax, wear good shoes, run on soft surfaces, not pavement.
Take rest days, don't run everyday.
Since you are new you may try to do too much too soon.
Let your body get used to running, don't get in a hurry.

Answer 6

Sounds like shin splints.
You need to take it easy, heal, and then start up slower.

Answer 7

if it doesn't hurt when you walk its probably not really bad. but it could be a tendon seeing that if you run it hurts. Just spend some time resting it.

Answer 8

It may be shin splints ...