Is this Shin Splints or just muscle pain?

Question

I run 5 1/2 miles every other day, but most times when i run i get real bad muscle pain in my front shins, almost to the point i cannot run. I figured out if i run my first 2 miles really slow, the pain goes and then i can carry on running my normal pace. The pain is fairly sharp when it starts so it's not like it's just an aching muscle. I normally get it in my left shin first and slightly less pain in my right.

I have a high arch, i run in Asics Nimbus. I am a fairly light footed runner, so i don't slap my feet down. I am not flat footed either. I walk a mile then stretch every time before i run, then i walk a mile and stretch after i run. If for some reason i skip a day and have two days rest, i can sometimes run the whole 5 1/2 without getting any pain.

If i can just just get rid of this pain, i love running, but this is making running more of a burden than fun.

Would really appreciate some help. I am at the point where i am thinking of taping up my shins. Any ideas/ help?

Answer 1

shin splints the best way to help drink a lot of milk if  you don't like milk calcium pills will help not as good as milk.new shoes might help also .me i pound the ground when i run & i didnt like milk neither but you just got to put a lot of choclete  or strawberry in the milk

Answer 2

I know first hand how much of a pain skin splints can be. I am a high school sprinter/hurdler who gets plagued by them inevitably every year. One way to help prevent them is to do toe raises. Stand against a wall or fence with your feet facing forward. Raise your toes up and down (stand on your heels) very quickly about 50 or so times in a row. Then turn your toes outward and repeat. This will help to strengthen the muscles on the front of your leg.

There also is the chance that the shin splints are caused by your shoes. If you have shoes that have 400 or more miles on them, it is time for a new pair. I suggest having two pairs of shoes and alternating between them so that they have time to dry and get back to form. I also recommend going to a store specifically for running. They will watch you run on a treadmill to see your form. You also will have the opportunity to run several different types of shoes before you buy one.

You also may want to consider changing your warmup slightly. Rather than walking a mile and then stretching, try jogging half a mile before you stretch. This will help you get looser. Also, when I walk, it feels like I work different muscles than if I jog. Jogging will allow you to warm up in a form closer to the one you use when you run.

Finally make sure you get pleanty of rest! Possibly consider running less often and finding an alternative method of exercise such as biking. I strongly suggust doing this while you wait for your legs to heal. Stay hydrated and do not push yourself to do more than you feel your legs can handle.

Happy Running!

Answer 3

Where is the pain? Is it to the right of the bone in your shin on the right leg? Is there a muscle bulging out there? Or to the left of the bone on the left leg? If yes then it could be compartment syndrome, there are two types of this and it needs to be checked out by a specialist! This is a form of 'shin splints'. Shin splints is an umberella term for many conditions of the lower leg!

Answer 4

shin splints. watch out for them. you can pull the muscle away from your bone. [bad engery]  your not streching enough. if your running on pavement it will only compound the problem. find a regular track.

Answer 5

It sounds like you have Anterior Tibial Shin Splints.  

Shin Splints usually cause a deep aching pain at the beginning of the run that goes away as you run, sometimes to come back at the end of the run.  If the pain does not go away, but rather becomes more severe with each step, you probably have a stress fracture, particularly if there is one small spot on your shin that is most sore.  If you think you have a stress fracture, you should see a doctor.  

Shin Splints occur in two locations -- along the inside of the shin bone (usually caused by over-pronation and/or flat feet) or where you're describing on the front of the shin.  The Shin Splints you have are called Anterior Shin Splints.  

What's happening is every time you run, you're inflaming the tissue that connects your muscles to your shin bone.

Try switching to a softer surface.  Although boring, a track can be a good surface.  Even better is a packed dirt trail.  If at all possible, stay off concrete.  Shin splints can sometimes occur in the anterior when you have a muscle imbalance, so make sure you carefully stretch your calves and hamstrings before running.  Make sure your shoes are in good condition, and replace them often (shock absorbtion is a big issue with anterior shin splints).  

My suggestion would be lay off running for about 5 days.  You lose no fitness by taking up to 5 days off.  During those 5 days, try not to do anything -- just let your shin rest.  Then, start running again, but this time stop whenever you start to feel pain, even if it means only running a short distance.  You need to allow your body time to adjust.  Left un-treated, shin splints can actually progress into a stress fracture, which would mean 12 weeks of no running.  The fact that your pain is increasing to the point that you can barely run indicates you're at risk for developing a stress fracture.  You definitely don't want that, which is why you need to take steps now.  After running, ice your shins.  You can try taping or a compression bandage (like an Ace bandage) -- you can use the compression bandage even after running.

Answer 6

taping up your shins for shin splints will take a c**p load of tape. the best way to get rid of shin splints is to get a different pair of shoes that help with the kind of arch u have