Is it okay to run even if you have shin splits?

Question

i started cross country, and i have a time trial this morning. the past three days i've had shin splits, but when i ran it didn't hurt. now, i did a little jog-in-place and they hurt like a funky monkey. i've been icing it, but i dont know what else to do.

Answer 1

Shin splints are the tearing of the muscle between the bones in the shins.  I had them when in college.  I played basketball for the school team, and the constant pounding on the hard gym floor caused constant pain.  My trainer would tape my shins in a special pattern before each game.  After the game, I would ice down for awhile.  The only thing to help heal the tearing is rest and non-use.  I suppose taking  an anti-inflammatory drug would help also.  Unfortunately, you will have to run through the pain.  Only rest will help to relieve the symptoms.  Good luck.

Answer 2

I had the same problem just before completing London Marathon in April, I went to the doctor and he can me some drugs and told me to take it easy. I did not take them as I thought he was nuts. I went to physio and he dug his figures into me legs moving up and down. It really painfull.

Next day, I was able to run no problem and since then I had no issue