Shin splints are caused by repeated trauma to the muscles where they attach to the shin. Photo / 123RF.com
Hi Sandra, I've recently started training for my first half-marathon. I'm not a natural runner and I'm having a bit of trouble with shin splints. Is there anything I can do to stop it playing up? Jane.
Hi Jane, thanks for your question. Shin splints are caused by repeated trauma
to the muscles where they attach to the shin. The most common cause is overuse or overtraining, and it's associated with poor foot and leg biomechanics. If you haven't already, seek out the assistance of a good physiotherapist who can ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
Shin splints cause dull, aching pain to the front of the lower leg and may be painful to the touch. Because stress fractures can cause similar symptoms, its essential you seek professional assistance to rule out other causes of the pain.
Even working with a professional, it may take some time to normalise the abnormal movement patterns that led to the injury and restore the muscle strength needed to run safety and comfortably. However, if you intend to continue running over the longer term, it's a wise investment.
Manual therapy and plant medicine can go hand-in-hand to accelerate recovery from sports injuries and improve long-term outcomes. The key botanicals used in injury recovery have been subjected to rigorous scientific trials and have been validated with clinical use.
The first step in any sports injury treatment, including shin splints, is to reduce inflammation. Arnica is the most frequently used medicinal plant for sports injuries and first aid. It is most effective in the first 24-48 hours after an injury to reduce inflammation, and relieve swelling and pain. A 2007 study that compared topical gels of Arnica and Ibuprofen for treating osteoarthritis of the hand found that Arnica was as effective in reducing pain and improving mobility, with Arnica showing better tolerance.
