Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a common injury that causes pain along the inner edge of the tibia.
Shin Splints Treatment
At Vitalis Physiotherapy, our treatment of shin splints aim to:
What are Shin Splints?
Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a painful condition that affects the lower leg. It is caused by overuse and repetitive stress on the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia. They are commonly seen in athletes who engage in high-impact activities such as running, jumping, or dancing.
What are the Causes of Shin Splints?
- Overuse – They often occur in people who engage in high-impact activities such as running, jumping, or dancing, particularly when they increase their training intensity or duration too quickly without allowing sufficient time for rest and recovery.
- Improper footwear – Wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support, cushioning, or stability during physical activity can increase the stress on the muscles and bones of the lower leg, leading to this condition.
- Poor biomechanics – Abnormal foot mechanics or gait can place excessive stress on the lower leg, leading to shin splints. For example, people with flat feet, high arches, or inward-pointing toes may be more prone to shin splints.
- Muscle imbalances – Weakness or tightness in the muscles of the lower leg, particularly the calf muscles, can lead to increased stress on the shinbone during physical activity, increasing the risk of this condition.
- Age and bone density – Older individuals, particularly women, may be more prone to this condition due to lower bone density, which can lead to microfractures in the shinbone.
What Are The Symptoms?
Early stages:
- Mild, diffuse ache
- Pain worsens with activity and is persistent during activity
- Pain at a specific time during your gait cycle
- Pain ablates after activity has ceased
- Stiffness
- Swelling
If the condition becomes progressed, you may have the following symptoms:
- Pain becomes more severe and localised
- Pain persists for longer after physical activity
- Pain with less strenuous activities (e.g. walking) or earlier in run
- Pain during rest and night pain
Treatment For Shin Splints
- Biomechanical assessment
- Custom orthotics
- Shockwave Therapy
- Dry needling
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Taping
Your physiotherapist may also recommend a brace for you to wear.
What can I do at Home?
There are several things that you can do from home to help relieve the pain of shin splints. They include:
- Limit physical activities while having pain
- Ice – applying ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, can help to reduce pain and swelling.
- Wearing supportive shoes
How To Book An Appointment?
If you think that you may be suffering from shin splints, or you’re looking for a “physiotherapist near me”, the team at Vitalis Physiotherapy can assess and diagnose the condition. They will then tailor your treatment plan to aid in your pain relief and recovery.
All you need to do is just give us a call on 0410 559 856 and request an initial appointment. Please let our friendly reception staff know the background and severity of your condition.
You can visit our FAQs for more information about appointments at Vitalis Physiotherapy.
Need Help?
Are you in pain caused by shin splints? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment.
Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.
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