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Page: Prevention
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Training
Like any muscle, the muscles of the anterior shin can be trained for greater static and dynamic flexibility through adaptation, which will diminish the contracting reflex, and allow the muscles to handle the rapid stretch. The key to this is to stretch the shins regularly. However, static stretching might not be enough. To adapt a muscle to rapid, eccentric contraction, it has to acquire greater dynamic flexibility as well. One way to work on the dynamic flexibility of the anterior shin is to subject it to exaggerated stress, in a controlled way. If the muscle is regularly subject to an even greater dynamic, eccentric contraction than during the intended exercise, it will become more capable of handling the ordinary amount of stress. Experienced long-distance runners practice controlled downhill running as a part of training, which places greater eccentric loads on the quadriceps as well as on the shins. A professional trainer or coach, or perhaps a sports medicine doctor, should be consulted before engaging in this type of training.
Form
The long-term remedy for muscle-related pain in the shin is a change in the running style to eliminate the overstriding and heavy heel strike.
Most competitive runners do not strike the ground heel first. Sprinting is performed on the toes, unlike middle-distance running,where you perform a rolling type motion, as flat running can be bad for your knee joints. In long-distance running, the footstrike should be flat, though some elite long-distance runners will retain their forefoot strike acquired from years of competing in track-and-field.
Correcting the footstrike begins with posture. A hunched forward posture leads to a heel strike.
In both postures, the center of gravity is directly over the foot. Physics requires this, because it is the condition which prevents a body from falling over. An object falls over when its center of gravity shifts too far one way or the other outside of the range of its supporting base. Arching the back shifts the body's center of gravity toward the rear, so that the legs must tilt forward to compensate, bringing the weight to the toes. Bending forward at the waist has the opposite effect: the legs tilt back at the ankle, shifting weight to the heels.
During running, the center of gravity changes dynamically. Because much of the time there is a drive leg extending backward, the torso appears to tilt forward to compensate for this. This forward tilt is similar to what happens in a standing position when one leg is raised from the ground and extended backward. Inexperienced runners witness this forward tilt in professional athletes and imitate it by bending at the waist, which isn't the same thing. In the forward tilt, the torso and extended leg still form a straight line, or even a slight backward curve:
Footwear
Stress on the shin muscles can also be somewhat alleviated by footwear and choice of surface. Runners who strike heavily with the heel should look for shoes which provide ample rearfoot cushioning.[dubious — see talk page] Such shoes may be referred to as "stability" or "motion control" shoes. The so-called "neutral" shoes for bio-mechanically efficient runners may not have adequate support in the heel, because the runners for whom these shoes are intended do not require it. When their cushioning capability degrades, the shoes should be replaced. The commonly recommended replacement interval for shoes is 500 miles or 800 kilometers. Excessive pronation can be reduced by extra supports under the arch. Running shoes which have a significant supporting bump under the arch are called "motion control" shoes, because they work by limiting the pronating motion. Also shoes with cushion shock features and shoe inserts can help prevent further problems. Another good note to mention is: knowing if one leg is longer than the other; talk to a sports therapist and find out if you'll need a product called a foot lift to insert into your sneakers. Doing so will prevent injuries to the spinal cord.
Sneakers with arch supports will also help relieve the pain caused from shin splints.
Also if you are a dancer or a gymnast tapeing the arch of the foot may help. Also taping all the way up and down your shin will help to relieve the pain.
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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