You inhale, you exhale, your feet strike the pavement just like you’ve trained, and you reach your goal. And then, the soreness sets in. Over time you start to notice some swelling in your shins, tenderness, and running eventually becomes painful. Of course, runners aren’t the only ones who suffer from shin splints. Sports where you frequently run and stop like baseball, tennis, and basketball can result in this injury. Whatever sport or activity you’re involved in, shin splints massage can help with pain relief
What are Shin Splints, Really?
Shin splints, also called medial tibial stress syndrome, occur when there’s too much stress on your shin bone and the connective tissues that hold the muscles to the bone. The stress causes inflammation which results in pain. If you’re suffering from shin splints, it could be caused by:
- Running on a flat foot
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit well
- Wearing shoes with poor support
- Skipping warm-ups or cool-downs
- Having weak ankle, core, or hip muscles
- Increasing the frequency or intensity of your workouts
Treating Shin Splints
There are a few different ways you can treat shin pain.
- Rest. One of the easiest ways to eliminate shin splints is to take a break and rest your body.
- Icing your shins. Ice helps to reduce the swelling in your shins. Try applying ice compresses for 20-30 minutes at a time every 3-4 hours over a period of 2-3 days.
- Add shoe inserts. If your shin splints are caused by poorly fitted shoes, using inserts can create additional support.
- Take anti-inflammatories. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin can help ease pain and reduce swelling. Just remember that they should not be taken for a prolonged period, and you should always consult with a doctor before taking any anti-inflammatories.
- Massage. Massage can help to loosen the tight muscles in your lower leg which can contribute to shin splints.
If left untreated, shin splints can result in stress fractures. Those tiny cracks can lay you up for even longer, keeping you away from your activity of choice.
Massage for Shins in Cleveland, OH
If you’re suffering from shin splint pain, massage therapy can help with pain relief. The deep tissue strokes release built-up tension, resulting in pain release and the prevention of scar tissue accumulation. The lighter pressure aids in circulation improvement by moving the lymphatic fluid (which contains metabolic waste) away from those muscles.
Sports massage therapy (specifically) focuses on the connection between muscles and tendons. This targeted form of massage for shin pain assists in reducing recovery time after workouts and events, not to mention improving flexibility which decreases your risk for injury.
If you want relief from your shin pain, contact MG Sports Massage today to schedule an appointment.