Should I see a Shin Splints Physio?
Are you wondering whether you should see a shin splints physio? Well, Seeing a shin splints physio can offer several benefits. First and foremost, they can provide an accurate diagnosis of your condition. Whether your shin splints stem from overuse, improper biomechanics, muscle imbalances, muscle weakness, or other factors, a physiotherapist can pinpoint the root cause, which is crucial for effective treatment.
Once the cause is identified, a shin splints physio can help long term to build strength in the muscle groups that are weak, (Normally the hip stablisers muscles gluteus medius, minimus and the obturators) and the foot and calf muscles and intrinsic muscles. A physio can then help shin splints with initial treatment, including soft tissue work, acupuncture for shin splints, massage for shin splints, and a gym and strength program for these muscles.
In addition to exercise-based interventions, physiotherapists often provide hands-on therapy. This can include manual techniques, massage, or stretching to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the affected area.
Beyond treatment, a shin splints physio offers valuable education and advice. They can guide proper footwear, training techniques, warm-up and cool-down routines, and modifications to your activities to prevent future shin splints.
For individuals with severe shin splints or complications such as stress fractures, physio’s for shin splints can guide them through a structured rehabilitation program. This program aims to safely return individuals to their desired activity level while minimizing re-injury risk.
During the treatment process, physiotherapists monitor progress closely and adjust the treatment plan as needed. This ensures that individuals receive optimal care and support on their journey to recovery. Overall, seeing a physiotherapist for shin splints can help individuals recover more quickly and effectively, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing the risk of future injuries.
So why Won’t my Shin Splints go away?
Are you wondering why your shin splints aren’t going away? Before we dive into why your shin splints are not going away, we need to understand the concept of Shin splints. Shin splints are medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome and a common source of lower leg pain among athletes and active individuals (especially teenagers, due to bone development and maturation). This condition typically arises from overuse, growth phases, or sudden changes in activity intensity. Fortunately, effective management strategies exist, and compression therapy stands out as a valuable tool in alleviating discomfort and promoting recovery. In this blog post, we'll delve into the benefits of compression therapy for shin splints, exploring how it works and how to incorporate it into your recovery regimen.
This condition involves inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and periosteum (the outer surface of the bone) along the tibia (shinbone). Common symptoms include a dull, aching pain along the inner edge of the shin, particularly during or after physical activity. Shin splints often occur due to repetitive stress on the lower leg, such as running on hard surfaces or engaging in high-impact sports without adequate conditioning.
Before we get to the reasons, let’s all start a shin splints bonfire and put our orthotics deep in the middle of it. Those orthotics are keeping your body and shin splints on a knife’s edge. Driving all the weight and force through the lateral outside parts of your feet and ankles which is leading to other issues such as hip and lateral hamstring tightness and overload and cool, spend thousands on a new pair of orthotics, rather than fix the problem once and for all.
The other reasons your Shin Splints won’t go away
You use to have cool shoes to run in. Now you run in a shoe that looks like a toned-down version of the titanic. It's black or white, and sometimes when you put them on your partner walks 5m behind you. Let’s be honest here. Your feet don’t one day start overpronating. You didn’t go to sleep with medial arches in your midfoot and wake up the following day with flat feet.
You need to start out by utilising a practitioner with specific skill sets to find out what is working well within the 26 bones, 33 joints and 19 muscles in your foot. Improve this first then work up the leg, to improve deficiencies and compensation that has occurred as a result.
Pronation is actually necessary when you run, believe it or not. The action causes force transfer through the foot, ankle and lower leg. So don’t have tunnel vision. Open your eyes to what else could be causing your shin splints. If you come to us with your orthotics because your shin splints won’t go away. Be careful, we’ll burn them in a ritual-like ceremony and dance around them.
Here’s another interesting story. Shin splints in the Military is an extremely common occurrence, especially with new and young soldiers. There’s no way one can pronate in a military boot. In fact you can’t usually feel your toes in one. So if this is the case, wouldn’t it be more realistic that suddenly constantly pack marching, running, jumping and patrolling in a boot that weighs more than 3-4 x (when dry) a normal jogger would cause massive strain on weak and underdeveloped lower leg muscle groups, therefore causing a version of bone stress? Rather than over-pronation?
Compression for Shin Splints
Are you wondering if you should use Compression for Shin Splints? Compression therapy involves the application of pressure to the affected area, typically through the use of compression garments like sleeves, wraps or potentially strapping tape to offload the medial tibia. This gentle pressure helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, and provide support to the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the shinbone. For individuals dealing with shin splints, compression therapy offers several potential benefits:
Compression for shin splints can lead to Enhanced Circulation: By applying consistent pressure to the lower leg, compression garments promote blood flow, which can aid in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues while facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products.
Compression for shin splints can Reduce Swelling and Inflammation: Shin splints often involve inflammation of the affected tissues. Compression therapy helps mitigate swelling by preventing the buildup of excess fluid, thereby alleviating discomfort and promoting faster recovery.
Compression for shin splints can help with Muscle Stabilisation: The compression provided by specialized garments can help stabilize the muscles and tendons surrounding the shinbone, reducing excessive movement and stress on the injured area during physical activity.
Acupuncture for Shin Splints
Are you wondering about acupuncture for shin splints? Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain and promote healing. While its efficacy for various conditions is still debated, some individuals find relief from shin splints through acupuncture.
Acupuncture for shin splints focuses on targeting specific acupuncture points associated with pain relief, inflammation reduction, and improving blood circulation to the affected area. Acupuncturists may insert needles along the meridians related to the lower legs and feet, as well as points known to alleviate pain and promote tissue healing.
Some potential acupuncture points for shin splints include:
Spleen 6 (SP6): Located above the ankle, on the inside of the leg, this point is believed to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the lower leg.
Stomach 36 (ST36): Situated below the knee, on the outside of the leg, this point is thought to enhance circulation and alleviate muscle fatigue.
Bladder 40 (BL40): Found in the middle of the crease behind the knee, this point is believed to reduce pain and stiffness in the lower leg.
Gallbladder 34 (GB34): Located on the outside of the leg, just below the knee, this point is thought to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing of tendons and ligaments.
During an acupuncture session for shin splints, the acupuncturist may also use techniques such as electroacupuncture (applying a gentle electrical current to the needles) or moxibustion (burning dried mugwort near the skin) to enhance the treatment's effectiveness.
It's important to note that while some individuals may experience relief from shin splints through acupuncture, results can vary, and it may not be effective for everyone. Additionally, acupuncture should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include rest, ice therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, and proper footwear.
We work closely with Giulia from Quiesence in Fitzroy, for our acupuncture clients.
Do Compression socks help shin splints?
Are you wondering do Compression socks help shin splints? Well, while compression socks can provide some relief for shin splints, it's important to understand that they may only offer limited benefits compared to other treatment methods. Here's a revised explanation:
Compression socks can offer some assistance in managing shin splints for certain individuals. Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome, often arise from overuse or repetitive stress on the lower leg muscles, tendons, and bones. This can result in inflammation, pain, and discomfort along the shinbone (tibia). While compression socks can provide a range of benefits, including improved blood circulation, reduced muscle vibration, and support for the lower leg muscles, they may only offer partial relief compared to other treatment approaches.
Compression socks help shin splints by improving blood circulation. Compression socks apply gentle pressure to the lower legs, which can enhance blood flow. This improved circulation facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, aiding in recovery and reducing swelling associated with shin splints.
Compression socks help shin splints by reducing muscle vibration. By dampening muscle vibration during physical activity, compression socks can help alleviate muscle fatigue and minimise the risk of exacerbating shin splint symptoms. This stabilization effect can be particularly beneficial for individuals engaged in high-impact activities.
Compression socks help shin splints by providing support to the muscles and tissues of the lower leg, helping to stabilize the area and reduce strain on the muscles and tendons. While this support can be helpful, it's essential to recognize that it may only address symptoms superficially and not the underlying causes of shin splints.
Compression socks help shin splints by contributing to pain relief by reducing swelling, improving circulation, and providing support to the affected area. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that they may only offer temporary relief and may not address the root cause of shin splints.
While compression socks can be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for shin splints, it's important to recognize that they are not a standalone solution. Strength training, targeted stretching exercises, proper footwear, and professional treatment are often more effective in addressing the underlying causes of shin splints and preventing their recurrence. Consulting with a healthcare provider or physical therapist can provide personalized guidance on the most appropriate treatment approach for managing shin splints effectively.
