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Shin Splints

image of a woman gripping her shin

Shin splints are characterized by pain in the front part of the lower leg. It occurs on the inside edge of the large bone there — the tibia. This condition is common in runners, but can also occur in other physically active people.

Shin splints usually happen during or after a change in the intensity of physical activity, such as running more miles or more frequently.

Shin splints are not a standard medical diagnosis. The condition may also be called medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), anterior tibial pain or exercise-induced leg pain.

Causes of Shin Splints

Shin splints are very common among professional and recreational athletes, especially runners, military recruits and dancers.

Overuse of the leg muscles — without taking enough time to rest and heal — can lead to inflammation or swelling of the tendons, muscles or tissue covering the shin.

This causes pain along the front of the shin. Symptoms range from a dull, tight feeling to a sharp pain along the shin.

Several factors increase your chance of developing shin splints, such as:

  • Running long distances or on hills or uneven surfaces
  • Training incorrectly or too much
  • Switching your routine
  • Wearing the wrong shoes
  • Not warming up properly
  • Foot problems

In addition to excessive training, other conditions can also lead to pain in the shins, such as:

  • Flat feet
  • A very rigid arch of the foot
  • Chronic anterior compartment syndrome (when the large muscle on the front of the lower leg becomes too large for the tissue that surrounds it)
  • Stress fractures

Chiropractic Care for Shin Splints

Shin splints will often go away with basic therapy, which involves:

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Massage
  • Rehabilitation exercises
  • Stretching
  • Kinesio taping

However, if the shin splits don't clear up quickly, your chiropractor will look for other problems that may be contributing to the pain. This includes examining your spine, hips, knees and feet for misalignments.

One problem with the foot that can lead to shin splints is over pronation — or “rolling in” of the foot. This condition causes overstretching in the shin muscles. If this is the case, your chiropractor may prescribe a foot orthotic for you. This will adjust how your foot strikes the ground.

Your chiropractor may also make adjustments in your foot joints, ankle, knee, SI joint or low back. This can relieve the pain from shin splints, or prevent them from happening again.

If you have shin splints, look for a chiropractor who specializes in treating sports injuries and conditions. This will help you return to your regular training program.

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Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "We have been coming here for years. They are attentive to our pains and ailments. John and Maggie have helped to keep me and my wife's maintain active lifestyles."
    Russ Q.
  • "I have met Dr. Maggie through the Dance Fitness world and Her and Dr. John are amazing. I started going to their practice from time to time for a few years now to get an alignment. I always walk out feeling better, especially when I am sitting all day at work and all that hip action I do while teaching dance fitness classes. Check them out."
    Anthony C.
  • "Awesome service, have been coming here for years. Dr. John and staff are the best. Every time I come here I am treated like royalty. My needs and expectations are met. Keep up the good work!!!"
    Mark R.
  • "Wow. I've been dealing with sciatic nerve pain for 8 months already and after seeing multiple chiropractors (one even sent me to the ER twice), PCP, orthopedic surgeon, and multiple acupuncturists FINALLY found relief with Dr. McHaney. He took the time to really listen and figure out what the root cause was. After just one treatment with him, I was able to walk outside and play with my toddler for the first time in almost a month. After being bedridden, doped up on all kinds of pain meds and still be in excruciating pain from the slightest movement for what felt like an eternity, I can tell you-- it made me extremely emotional and so grateful for Dr. McHaney. Finally a doctor who doesn't just use a one-size-fits-all approach and truly cares about his patients. Five starts just isn't enough."
    Michelle L.
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    Elvia R.