As the weather starts to warm up, you may find yourself taking extra walks or adding miles to your running routine. But with this added exercise, you might start to have numbness in your shins, or even shooting pain. You might have shin splints.
Shin splints refers to the sharp, nagging pain that runs along the front of the lower leg, known medically as medial tibial stress syndrome.
This condition is not exclusive to athletes. Anyone who suddenly increases their physical activity or changes their exercise routine can find themselves facing this discomfort.
Understanding the causes of shin splints and how your chiropractor can offer relief is essential to not only treating this condition but also preventing its recurrence.
What Are Shin Splints?
Shin splints are a painful condition caused by repetitive stress on your shin and nearby muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The primary cause of shin splints is overuse of the muscles and stress on the shin bone (tibia) and the tissues attaching muscles to the bone.
Typically, people get shin splints after increasing activity too quickly. This is especially common among runners, distance walkers, dancers, and recruits in basic training.
Individuals who engage in activities with heavy impact on their legs or rapid changes in direction are at higher risk of developing shin splints.
People who work on their feet all day, especially in places with concrete floors like warehouses, can also develop the condition. Those who wear unsupportive shoes, even in carpeted office settings, can also get shin splints. People with high arches or flat feet are more prone to it as well.
Warning Signs
In the beginning stages, shin splints can cause numbness and a feeling of tightness along the shin. You may also experience numbness in your feet because your body is trying to compensate for added strain.
It’s also common to have sore calves because your body is trying to engage other muscles to carry the higher workload. You might also feel a dull pain on the front of the leg. Some people experience swelling due to inflammation. You are more likely to notice increasing pain after you have been on your feet.
Additional Symptoms
Shin splints can become debilitating, causing near-constant sharp pain and decreasing quality of life. Walking can become extremely painful, but some people will also experience chronic pain at rest. Left untreated, this condition can develop into a tibial stress fracture.
Chiropractic Treatment For Shin Splints and Leg Pain
It is imperative to take any signs of shin splints seriously. This can become a nagging injury that lasts months because it is difficult to stay off of your feet for a long time.
Shin splints will impede your gait, so visit your trusted chiropractor to realign your spine before your body compensates and causes more pain. Seeing a chiropractor at the first sign of shin pain can give you relief and help you heal faster.
The role of your chiropractor in treating shin splints and leg pain extends beyond mere symptom relief.
Initially, your chiropractor will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the specific cause of your shin splints. This diagnostic process may involve examining your posture, gait analysis, and looking at your overall physical condition to identify any imbalances or mechanical issues contributing to the stress on your shins.
Following the diagnosis, your chiropractor can employ a variety of treatment methods to address both the pain and its root cause. Chiropractic adjustments may be used to correct any misalignments in the spine or lower extremity joints, thereby improving your body’s mechanical function and reducing stress on the shins.
Soft tissue therapies such as massage or myofascial release can help to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing.
Furthermore, your chiropractor can provide valuable guidance on injury prevention, which is crucial for those prone to shin splints. This advice might include recommendations on proper footwear, strategies for gradually increasing exercise intensity, and exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting your lower legs.
At 417 Spine, our Foot Levelers Orthotics are state-of-the-art custom shoe inserts specifically fit to your exact foot measurements. Most people do not know that their feet are almost always different from each other. With our 3D Foot Levelers scanner, we can detect even the smallest changes in the foot and find the exact right fit to solve your problems in the foot, leg, and even in the low back.
Additional Treatment Options
Icing – At the first sign of discomfort, apply ice packs to your shins for up to 20 minutes a few times a day for several days, or until the pain stops.
Rest – Swap out walking or running for non-impact exercise like swimming or biking.
Compression – Try wearing compression socks that cover your shin. These can reduce inflammation as you heal.
Anti-inflammatory meds – These can reduce pain temporarily.
Prevention of Shin Splints
If you are on your feet, whether at work or at play, increase your time or mileage gradually.
Always wear well-fitted shoes and swap them out at the first sign of pain. Do not wear shoes without arch support, no matter how fashionable. Even an hour in poor-fitting shoes can trigger pain, and once you’ve experienced shin splints you’re more prone to it.
Strengthen and stretch your calf muscles so that your body can use them instead of relying on the front of your legs.
Stay at a healthy weight and stick with those core exercises. It’s all connected – a strong trunk can help you stay aligned and keep you moving pain-free.
We’re Here To Help
By addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes of shin splints, chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach to recovery, enabling you to return to your activities with confidence and reduced risk of injury.
While shin splints are a common ailment among physically active individuals, understanding their causes and seeking the right treatment can significantly alleviate pain and prevent future occurrences.
Your chiropractor, with our holistic approach to care, is well-equipped to treat shin splints by not only providing immediate relief but also offering long-term solutions to improve your physical health and prevent injury.
With the right care, you can overcome the discomfort of shin splints and continue to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.
Call 417 Spine to schedule an appointment and get started on the road to better health that comes naturally.
