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Slims · 09-12-2009, 05:00 PM

Ok, here is my advice as someone who ALWAYS has shin splints.

It is a complicated problem and there are hundreds of fixes which work for some people. Don't expect a miracle cure, though one may be out there for you to find.

Your problem will likely lessen as you get in better shape.

If you do toe raises you will develop the muscle on the outside of your calf which may help (it does for me).

Stretching before I run usually makes it hurt more, but stretching afterwards usually helps.

Changing shoes helps, try a pair of regular running shoes with no orthotics...it helps for me. I have a naturally messed up gate as my toes point out. If I wear motion control shoes in order to prevent over pronation I end up with a bunch of issues. A neutral shoe which allows me to run with my natural (though goofy) stride is best for me. You won't know what is best for you until you try a few. Different brands matter also. I have had a lot of relief by wearing Nike, New Balance and Pearl Izumi, don't know why.

Take some Aleve/Naproxen at night, it will help the swelling go down in your legs. If you need to you can take some more in the morning before you run. It helps a lot and lasts longer than advil.

Ice after a run helps, but I never have the patience for it.

If you are really in pain (like you want to lay down and cry pain) try sleeping with your legs elevated above your heart to further help reduce swelling. It will help but isn't typically worth it unless you have a serious problem.

I don't know whether this is good medical advice, but I have always pushed through the pain and never had anything happen except for more pain. I will run on shin splints all day long if I need to in order to accomplish my goals. I have had them so bad you couldn't touch the inside of my shin-bone, but my legs still worked just fine and after a (painful) first mile or so they would go numb and I could run pain-free.

Although I have yet to find the magic cure for me as I still have shin splints, I manage them better now.

09-12-2009, 05:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	Ok, here is my advice as someone who ALWAYS has shin splints. It is a complicated problem and there are hundreds of fixes which work for some people. Don't expect a miracle cure, though one may be out there for you to find. Your problem will likely lessen as you get in better shape. If you do toe raises you will develop the muscle on the outside of your calf which may help (it does for me). Stretching before I run usually makes it hurt more, but stretching afterwards usually helps. Changing shoes helps, try a pair of regular running shoes with no orthotics...it helps for me. I have a naturally messed up gate as my toes point out. If I wear motion control shoes in order to prevent over pronation I end up with a bunch of issues. A neutral shoe which allows me to run with my natural (though goofy) stride is best for me. You won't know what is best for you until you try a few. Different brands matter also. I have had a lot of relief by wearing Nike, New Balance and Pearl Izumi, don't know why. Take some Aleve/Naproxen at night, it will help the swelling go down in your legs. If you need to you can take some more in the morning before you run. It helps a lot and lasts longer than advil. Ice after a run helps, but I never have the patience for it. If you are really in pain (like you want to lay down and cry pain) try sleeping with your legs elevated above your heart to further help reduce swelling. It will help but isn't typically worth it unless you have a serious problem. I don't know whether this is good medical advice, but I have always pushed through the pain and never had anything happen except for more pain. I will run on shin splints all day long if I need to in order to accomplish my goals. I have had them so bad you couldn't touch the inside of my shin-bone, but my legs still worked just fine and after a (painful) first mile or so they would go numb and I could run pain-free. Although I have yet to find the magic cure for me as I still have shin splints, I manage them better now. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence Last edited by Slims; 09-12-2009 at 05:02 PM..