Running can be the greatest way to exercise on earth for some and a nightmare for others. Yet, all people can agree that shin splints are the biggest nightmare of them all. Shin splints are not fun for anyone and cause unnecessary pain and discomfort, especially for runners.
Shin splints are caused by repeated stress to the tibia during running. Often times, people believe that they can push through the pain and that their shin splints will just magically disappear, but repetitive stress can lead to something even worse, such as a stress fracture.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
When going on a run it is important to pay attention to your body, and even though sometimes you want to push through the pain to keep going, you need to assess when enough is enough. Runners are most susceptible to injury when they overdo it the first time they go on a run and decide to run five miles. It is important to ease into running routines, so your body can adjust to the pounding that it absorbs when running.
There are a variety of exercises that help strengthen the muscles in your lower legs. Doing some calve related stretches can help improve the strength of the muscles around your tibia. Yet, there is only so much you can do to strengthen your muscles around the bone. Trying to run on softer surfaces, such as dirt paths or treadmills, will also help decrease the pounding on your body.
Running is a great way to stay in shape, but remember to be safe about it. You want to do what is best for your body, and don’t overexert yourself because that will only lead to the inability to engage in any physical activity at all. Happy (hitting the) trails!