Painful Shins? What is it?

Do you find that you have pain that runs along the tibia bone in your lower leg, more commonly known as the shin bone? Chances are you are experiencing shin splints or in medical terms medial tibial stress syndrome.  It’s estimated that 35% of active Australians may experience it at some stage in their life. Typically found in those who participate in sports such as running, basketball, football and dancing. The most common cause of shin splints is when the muscle and bone tissue (periosteum) become inflamed from repetitive overuse of the lower leg muscles. It can also appear in those that are working in a job that require a lot of walking on concrete surfaces.

What is happening in the lower leg that triggers this pain is small tears and inflammation in the muscles, tendons and bone tissue around the tibia. This can last for 2 – 4 weeks if using appropriate treatment options but its important to know that it can take around 3 months for it to be completely healed.

There are a few treatment options, the primary one is rest. Not doing any more activity other than your normal everyday walking, keep it light. Applying ice packs to the affected areas, taking anti-inflammatory medication can also assist, along with remedial massage. Massaging the muscles around the tibia can relieve a lot of the tension within the muscles that occur from the inflammation and may alleviate symptoms. Your massage therapist will keep the pressure of the treatment quite light around the shin bone so as not to further inflame the area.

Always seek medical advice before undergoing any treatments or taking medication and if after 3 months you have not seen any improvement  revisit your medical professional.