Therapy For Shin Pain In Runners Using Running Shoe Orthotics

                                                                                         

Shin Splints consists in a throbbing pain in the front leg area below the knee caused by damage to the posterior peroneal tendon. The consequent inflammation arises in the front or inside section of the tibia. In most cases, shin pain in runners is a product of intense physical activity like jumping, running or playing active sports; shin pain in runners can require an extended period of time to improve.

Shin Splints: Common Symptoms
Common shin splint symptoms include tightness and/or tenderness around the shin, especially after running, walking, or participating in sports activities. It is common for the pain to present itself when starting the exercise, then to diminish after warming up, then to resurface when getting into rest. It is not uncommon for shin splints to occur in people who have just started to get involved in running, walking, or sports activities.


What Causes Shin Splints?

The most common cause of shin pain in runners is excessive stretching of the muscles and tendons that run along the shin bones (tibia and fibula). Excessive use of these muscles by runners and other athletes is the most common trigger for this condition. Other causes for shin pain in runners can also be due to overuse of the anterior tibialis muscle in the front of the leg, along the outside front of the shin bones.

Excessive pronation of the feet can also be a major contributing factor for shin pain in runners. Excessive pronation leads to internal rotation of the tibia and amplifies the tractional forces upon the muscles and ligaments in the lower leg.

Treating Shin Splints

In the short term, it is recommended that the individual rests to help lessen shin pain in runners. Running and other strenuous activities should be avoided until the condition is controlled. Shin splints are often prevented by warming up before intense physical activity. It is of utmost importance for athletes and runners to gradually build up their activity level, and always have a solid warm-up prior to sudden or excessive exercise. Changing your running style to reduce stride length and softening your heel strike can also reduce shin splints in the long term.

Using suitable footwear is also a good way to prevent and reduce the pain associated with shin splints, especially for athletes who strike heavily with the heel. Running shoes with proper rear foot stability should be used whenever possible. Additionally, sport orthotics are useful in that they help prevent over pronation and providing heel cushioning, thus reducing the impact while assisting with heel stability.

In general, athletes and runners need to constantly maintain proper foot care in order to perform properly at all times.

About the author:
Fred Salomon is a foot care specialist with professional and commercial ventures in the podiatry field, including foot care products and foot health treatment options. Many people suffer from foot health problems. There are several types of foot pain treatments, with Footminders orthotic insoles being an effective relief for many foot ailments. The orthotic insoles, shoe inserts and arch supports from Footminders are recommended by many podiatrists for common foot health problems. You can find more information and treatment for many types of foot pain at www.footminders.com.

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