Shin Splints

[Disturbedguy]

Hello all,

Not looking for any medical advice just some information.

I haven't really done much active over the last few years. I used to do cross crountry, swimming and play football so was quite fit, now I'm a lump, not a big lump but a lump.

Anyway, I recently started at the gym, well about 5 or 6 weeks ago. While doing weights and such doesn't bother me, I decided to concentrate on cario based exercises in order to help me lose weight.

I used to be able to run for the fun of it and not get shin splints.

However I went on the treadmill recently started off walking at a decent pace as to help me warm up then decided to run, so upped the speed and off I went. I ran at around speed 9 for 5 or 6 minutes during which my shins started to hurt, at first not so bad but gradually got worse, then when I stopped it hurt like hell, after a minute or so it went but after that running wasnt an option, since then this has been the case.

So I was wondering if anyone on here has or do suffer with shin splints and if you do, do you have any advice or tips?

Cheers
DG

[shaithis]

I started suffering from them a lot when I gained a lot of weight, mostly happened if I was walking fast (i.e. late for the train!)

Since then I have lost a fair amount of weight and I rarely ever suffer any more.

So, sounds like your doing the right thing

[pollaxe]

Good trainers and Sorbothane insoles will help but shin splints are usually a symptom of trying too much too soon.

I'm prone to the bloody things so I sympathise - I'd cut back on the impacts for a couple of weeks, go over to swimming, biking or rowing instead? You can try icing them but for me, rest was the only thing that really got rid of them.

[Krakkenbus]

Good trainers and Sorbothane insoles will help but shin splints are usually a symptom of trying too much too soon.

I'm prone to the bloody things so I sympathise - I'd cut back on the impacts for a couple of weeks, go over to swimming, biking or rowing instead? You can try icing them but for me, rest was the only thing that really got rid of them.

Yea, rest definitely is the best thing for them, trying to "run them off" just makes them way way worse. Don't make the same mistake i did!

[mallett]

I used to get wicked shin splints when I started to run a few months ago. Like you I was doing it to try and loose the weight that 4 years of excess at uni stacked on me.

I found that I could run fairly happily but it was the days after that I would suffer, as in walking became irritating and the shins were painful to the touch!

Best way I found to get over them was to reduce the frequency of running to 2 or 3 times a week and to drop the pace. I found that this reduced the impact of each stride and had the added bonus of allowing me to go for longer, which is better for burning the fat.

Now my body is a bit better suited to it I can go more often and very rarely get any pain, but if I do the only solution is rest.

[rox0r]

About a year ago when I started to run properly I got shin splints something chronic. I recall having to take the lift at work because walking up and down stairs was almost impossible!
I bought some proper supports by Cho Pat http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mueller-Shin.../dp/B000NDEYM4 and they helped quite a bit.

I also did a lot of specific warm ups around the lower leg areas before running, splints can really kick in if you've not warmed up properly.

Eventually I changed trainers, I was using New Balance cross trainers which weren't ideal for my style and bought some Mizuno Wave instead and never looked back.

I would strongly advise a visit to a proper running/sports shop where they have the video analysis so they can fit you with the proper footwear for your running style, it makes a world of difference. They may even just be able to advise proper orthotics for your current shoes if they're right for your style.

[Disturbedguy]

Do Cho Pats work? :s

Well I started off with football and the hour would kill me, infact the first 10 - 15 minutes would kill but now I can run for the hour, not at full pace mind and will generally be fine, its when I am running at speed, constantly that the buggers get me, but then 10 minutes after I stop running they are fine.

Its extremely annoying

[rox0r]

If you mean do they stop/get rid of shin splints then no. What they do is support the injured area to prevent further damage. They do minimize the pain somewhat though simply because of the compression.

By the book, you need to give splints two weeks of proper rest to let them heal otherwise they will come back almost instantly, even though you thought everything was fine.

If they're coming back that quickly then they haven't healed and you need to analyse why you're getting them, like I say it's most often to do with footwear.