Shin Splints (sp?) No bueno dude!!

[Nickle00]

For the past couple weeks when I've been running I have experienced pain in my legs and figured it was just my muscles burning or something. Seeing as I've had no physical training until recently I didn't know any better so I continued to run "through the pain". It would go away and return, go away and return again. While I was running on Tuesday the pain became unbearable and I had to succumb limping away from the treadmill. One of the trainer's saw me and I explained what I had been experiencing. He asked me if I had changed my workout regimen or started a more rigorous excercise program. When he found out I went from not working out AT ALL, EVER to working out 6-7 days a week he said that I, more than likely, have shin splints and need to chill out on the running till they heal.

I'm totally bummed!! First of all I NEVER, EVER thought I'd be one to actually ENJOY working out much less enjoy RUNNING!! However, I've come to thoroughly enjoy it and feel as though I almost NEED to on a daily basis!! So, needless to say this whole shin splint nonsense, for lack of a better word, SUCKS!! Now I know how athletes feel when they suffer an injury and are no longer allowed to train.

Anyhoo, my question is this: Have any of you ever had them? If so, about how long does it take to heal and what can I do to help speed up the process? Thanks! Peace & Love!!

[vyapti]

I don't know if I had shin splints, I had to stop running.

This summer, I started running (went from never exercising to running every day in about a month) and my knees started to ache. At first, they ached after I ran, but it got so bad that I constantly hurt and was hobbling around everywhere. I had to quit running. I do aerobics from OnDemand now, but it's not the same. I have to force myself to keep up whereas I felt deprived if I wasn't able to run before.

I'd say find something else to do while you're healing. Good Luck

[Byzantea]

Some causes can be delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), unbalanced strength between your soleus+calf compared to the that shin splints are your tibialis anterior ( 'shin muscle' ), poor running posture, bad shoes, or other! Here are some causes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_splints#Causes

How do you warm up? Do you ever do shin muscle exercises

Muscle info: http://www.exrx.net/Muscles/TibialisAnterior.html

Reverse calf raises are good ( http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/TibialisAnterior/CBReverseCalfRaise.html ) as are other exercises listed on this page: http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/CalfWt.html

[*AHIMSA*]

I wouldn't accept an unqualified person's lay diagnosis of such a thing. It's possible you DO have them, but still, a trainer randomly saying something like that to a stranger is just so wrong.

:mad:


Hope you feel better!

Can you do any water exercises?

[chryssiie718]

I have had "shin splints" some years ago and consequently I do not run/jog as I am prone to this happening again. I had such painful legs I could hardly walk and this was when I was in college. I think it was caused by jogging on a concrete floor in the dorm. :(
Hope you feel better soon!

[Byzantea]

The trainer was right on the money. The most common thing for eager new exercisers to do is over-do their training.

[*AHIMSA*]

The trainer was right on the money.

Sorry, I disagree. A trainer is NOT qualified to make a diagnosis of a medical condition. Didn't they cover that in your certification program? They sure did in mine! :lol:

Besides, he didn't even examine her or speak to her more than just in passing. Come on, really. :rolleyes:


The most common thing for eager new exercisers to do is over-do their training.

That is often true. However, it doesn't always lead to shin splints or other injuries and when it does, a qualified medical professional is the one to handle the diagnosis and prescribe treatment for it, NOT someone who is not a medical professional.

[Byzantea]

A lady is hobbling away from the treadmill and you ask her what she's changed. "Oh, I went from doing nothing to running every day. Now I have shin splints!"

"Ease up on the workouts" is hardly a bit of advice that requires microbiology and a surgery internship.

[*AHIMSA*]

A lady is hobbling away from the treadmill and you ask her what she's changed. "Oh, I went from doing nothing to running every day. Now I have shin splints!"

"Ease up on the workouts" is hardly a bit of advice that requires microbiology and a surgery internship.

THAT'S not what she said or what the trainer said. :rolleyes:

[Byzantea]

This looks like a casual conversation to me. I don't see anything about her signing a client contract. In her position, I would have preferred the trainer give me his opinion rather than stay silent. I think she's smart enough not to take his word as fact and law, and to see a doctor if indeed the pain continues.



When he found out I went from not working out AT ALL, EVER to working out 6-7 days a week he said that I, more than likely, have shin splints and need to chill out on the running till they heal.

[*AHIMSA*]

This looks like a casual conversation to me.

Uh, yeah, I said that already. Glad we are in agreement on that part of it.


Besides, he didn't even examine her or speak to her more than just in passing. Come on, really. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I feel it's negligent for those who aren't qualified to diagnose to make such uninformed statements to people. It is misleading. People often take what trainers (and others) say for fact, even WITH disclaimers, so it's not right to spout off things randomly, in my opinion.

[Byzantea]

We should analyze this more and devote a lot of time to it.


When he found out I went from not working out AT ALL, EVER to working out 6-7 days a week he said that I, more than likely, have shin splints and need to chill out on the running till they heal.

[*AHIMSA*]

:moonpie:

[Nickle00]

Hey man, where's the peace and love?? Sorry to have caused such an argument but in the trainer's defense, he didn't say for sure that's what it was. He saw me limping away from the treadmill and we did have a conversation. He asked what sorts of pain I was experiencing, how long I had been having them and asked me about my workouts. He also said that it sounded like shin splints and from everything I had told him that that is what it was but he did say MORE THAN LIKELY. He also suggested I see a doctor or physical therapist if the pain persisted. Thank you Ahimsa for your concern and I spose I should have been a little more detailed in my post but I was only hoppin' on here in between meetings at work and didn't have much time. His intentions were good and I'm SO glad he was there. I was actually limping my way to the track to do laps on the padded floor thinking that would help... had I not ran into him I would have probably further injured myself!! Silly me!! I have a lot to learn about all this excercising shennanigans!! Peace & Love!! Muah!!

[Byzantea]

This is for ahimsa: :love:, but :wall:

[latchkeykid]

I had my first case of shin splints in 12th grade track, recovery: 6-8 weeks. While I was peacefully and innocently idling away the off-season like a happy little sheep, "loitering in the pastures of the mind" as it were with my books and what not my coaches were plotting a rude awakening. After two weeks of bleacher runs, intervals and speed work my shin splints were so bad that it hurt to walk and I was out for the season.

However, fortunately, I know from hard-won experience how to hasten recovery:
(1) Swimming will cut your recovery down to 1-3 weeks. A year ago I was training for a marathon and I was beset with injuries so I began swimming laps every other day to keep my aerobic fitness and to my amazement and elation it cut my recovery down to just 2 weeks. In the meantime, I fell in love with swimming, but that is another story.
(2) Stretching is very important. http://www.runnersworld.com has several stretching routines.

Also, to avoid them in the future (This is the how I am finally shin splint free):
Get fitted for the right running shoes and orthotics by a running store where they do gait analysis.
Swim in the off days or post-run.
Do like a 20 min. stretching routine after each run.
Also, don't run consecutive days until you have a base of 3 weeks or so and even then, sparingly.
Don't run on sidewalks, blacktop is better, grass or treadmill is softer yet.
And other things, but that's the most important stuff I think.

Again, I'm no authority on these things, I just know what works for me.
Happy Running!

[*AHIMSA*]

Nickle00, how are ya doing?


Link: :trick:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0161-shin-splints-treatment.htm

[Nickle00]

Nickle00, how are ya doing?


Link: :trick:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0161-shin-splints-treatment.htm

Ahimsa-- I'm doing MUCH better. Unfortunately I haven't been able to work out FOREVER!! First, it was the shin splints, then vacation THEN I got the flu :sick: I'm feeling GREAT for the first time in over a week and I'm going to attempt to go to the gym tonight!! I'm super excited to get back into the swing of things and hope I'll be able to run again. My legs have been fine walking so we'll see how they do on the treadmill tonight!! Thanks Ahimsa!! I heart you!! Peace & Love!! MUAH!!

[PlaybackGuru]

Thanks Ahimsa!! I heart you!! Peace & Love!! MUAH!!

Im jealous.....:(

ETA: Just checked the notifications, totally not jealous anymore!!!

[DLS]

Better shoes, run on a softer surface, take an asprin for inflammation, walk don't run. See a physiotherapist, it may be a muscle or tendon injury. If you have bad posture, running may be putting too much strain on your legs. Rest, elevate your legs and apply ice. Take time off running until the pain is all gone.

[Kaleigh]

I get shin splints every once in a while. Generally when I switch back to running outside from running n the treadmill. However, I juat switch to doing the elliptical for a few days and then Im fine and I just remind myself to take it easy with the running. I'e never had shin splints last 6-8 weeks like someone posted though:eek: Try taking the pounding exercise slow for a while (though they are good for your bones) and try some strength training and some cardio that wont provide so much stress (someone suggested a pool and I think if you have thatoption that that is a great idea:yes: hope your legs feel better soon

[choc_puddin]

I used to get shin splints so bad. My legs are pretty much that of an old womans now. (I used to run for over an hour, high intensity every day- sometimes twice a day) - combined with eating poorly, Its no wonder I burned out

I stick with cycling now. Its made my legs much stronger. And I get my upper body strength from body resistance training.

I think the best way to advoid shin splints is varying your workout. One day you can run, then maybe a long walk, cycling, swimming, team sports, dancing, yoga, pilates. Its amazing the amount of ways that you can keep fit these days.

And on the comment about personal trainers- while I agree they are unqualified, there are a few exceptions. My brother who is a part time trainer is also studying physiotherapy :D.
Generally though I agree, trainers get it wrong about injuries and I recommend getting a second opinion.

[Saddhu]

I've had shin splints from running and walking long distances. They are fairly common and usually more annoying than dangerous. Take 2-3 days off and see how you feel. Build miles gradually. I once ran 3 half marathons in 6 weeks and turned shin splints into a full-out stress fracture on my left tibula. There's really nothing a doctor can do for you if you have shin splints or a fracture. You can RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and take it easy. Hope you feel better soon!

[Jon]

As a teen I used to walk a lot, and suffered major time from shin splints. When I started again last year, I was concerned it would repeat. I found some advice that suggested that overstriding was a common cause, and experimented with taking shorter quicker strides. A year on, and I haven't had a single problem. Might be worth experimenting with to see if it helps anyone.

Original article here http://walking.about.com/cs/medleg/ht/htshinsplints.htm