Pain in the front of your lower leg during exercise or after exercise is a sign that something is going on. At first, you may brush it off as low energy or pushing your run or walk too far. But eventually, the recurring, throbbing pain in your shins gets your full attention. By then, you may have a full-blown case of shin splints. Thankfully, pain from shin splints can be managed, treated effectively, and even prevented if diagnosed early on.
At Professional Physical Therapy, our goal is to guide your path to recovery so you can get back to living your life to the fullest, free of painful and bothersome shin splint symptoms. Professional’s physical therapists are experts in assessing discomfort caused by shin splints and creating individualized treatment plans that aim to relieve pain, improve the strength and flexibility of muscles and tendons, and alleviate your symptoms for the long term.
What Are Shin Splints?
Medial tibial stress syndrome, otherwise known as “shin splints”, is the result of small tears and inflammation in the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia (the shin bone). It is a common overuse injury caused by repeated stress to the shin bone by the tugging and pulling of the muscles and tissues in the lower leg. Shin splints often occur as an exercise-related occurrence and are a frequent problem among athletes. Activities that involve repetitive leg movements are strenuous to the muscles in this area, making shin splints common amongst runners, dancers, and hikers.
Common Causes of Shin Splints
Your own body can be a factor causing this common shin problem. Each part of your body works together so that you can move. If one part is not functioning correctly, this can cause other components to overcompensate or undercompensate causing stress. Other factors that contribute to shin splints include:
Flat feet, when the impact of a step makes your foot’s arch collapse. This is called overpronation.
Shoes that don’t fit well or provide good support
Working out without warmup or cooldown stretches
Weak ankles, hips or core muscles
Participation in a sport that requires repetitive jumping and/or running
Leaving shin splints untreated can create larger problems. Stress fractures and muscle compartment syndrome can occur, leaving you unable to walk without pain and decreasing the frequency and comfort of your normal, everyday activities.
Do you have pain from shin splints?
Our physical therapists will customize a rehabilitation plan for shin splint pain. We will work in an effective way to get you back on your feet, focused on your wellness before, during and after therapy.
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Insurances We Accept
Below is a condensed list of insurances we participate with throughout our network of physical therapy clinics. Find your particular provider below based on your area. For a complete listing of all insurance providers and individual plans by name: CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL INSURANCE PAGE.
Common symptoms of shin splints include, but are not limited to:
Aches and pains felt along the shinbone
The shin is tender and sore to touch
Skin over and around the shin may be red and inflamed
Increased pain before, during, or after running or walking uphill
Lower leg pain (particularly on the inner part of the leg)
What Can I Expect from Physical Therapy for Shin Splints?
The purpose of physical therapy for shin splints is to manage and relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life. At Professional, you and your physical therapist will work together, following a unique treatment plan designed to help you heal as quickly and effectively as possible. Your PT will discuss your concerns with you and examine the physical limitations and discomfort caused by pain from shin splints.
Throughout your physical therapy appointments, your PT will:
Assess your source of discomfort and pain
Discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan
Teach you exercises to help relieve symptoms
Recommend ways to make daily activities more bearable as you heal
Offer guidance and support to prevent further damage
Physical Therapy Treatments for Shin Splints
At Professional, our focus is to help you get moving again and manage your symptoms at the same time. Your PT will prescribe personalized therapy treatments intended to improve range of motion, relieve discomfort, and help your body heal.
Some therapeutic techniques our physical therapist may use to relieve shin splints pain include:
Joint Mobilization
Manual Therapy
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Exercise Therapy
Flexibility Training
Health & Wellness Strategies
Diagnosing Shin Splints
Professional’s physical therapists can help diagnose shin splints, identify if it’s something more serious, and determine how we can put you on the best path to recovery. Tools that can be used to diagnose your condition and refer you to PT include a clinical exam, MRI or X-Ray.
If you are suffering from any shin pain that may not be related to shin splints, please visit our primary shin information page⇒.
Our Commitment to Pain Relief for Shin Splints
Professional’s physical therapists are dedicated to getting you back to a pain free lifestyle. We are available to support you each step of the way on your journey to recovery. The sooner you seek physical therapy for shin splints, the more likely you are to have a successful outcome.
Find the clinic nearest to you⇒ to speak with a Professional physical therapist who specializes in shin pain and shin splints today.
We provide treatments for shin splint pain from our physical therapy clinics throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Fill out the form above, or contact a clinic near you to speak with a Professional Physical Therapist and shin pain treatment specialist today.
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