Shin Splint Fix: Don’t Just Treat the Shins
If you’re a runner dealing with shin splints, the first question shouldn’t always be:
“How do I fix my shins?”
It should be:
“Why are my shins being overloaded in the first place?”
That’s the approach I take with shin splints—and with running injuries in general.
Find the Root Cause
You might assume the problem is in your calves, ankle, or lower leg.
Sometimes it is.
But especially when both shins are hurting, there may be a more central factor affecting how your legs are functioning.
It could be biomechanics involving the pelvis, sacrum, hips, or low back.
And sometimes there are restrictions or dysfunctions in structures that aren’t typically considered when treating a running injury.
For example, structures within the pelvis—including the colon, bladder, and urogenital structures—can influence how the pelvis and surrounding tissues move and function.
There can also be restrictions involving nerves, blood vessels, arteries, and veins that affect how the lower legs are functioning.
The important point is:
Don’t just treat where it hurts. Find out why it’s hurting.
Try This Shin Splint Solution
I’ve found a very specific reflex-point technique to be extremely useful for runners with shin splints.
Shin Splint Reflex Treatment
This is part 2 of a 3-part series and shows you exactly how to use reflex points in the foot to help release restrictions affecting the ankle, lower legs and hips.
Some people even notice changes farther up the body.
It’s simple, gentle, and something you can do yourself.
You can use it once or twice a day—or even before you run to help loosen up your legs and improve how they feel.
More Free Runner Self-Treatment Resources
I’ve put together a whole collection of free self-treatment techniques for runners.
You’ll find techniques for:
- Shin splints
- Achilles problems
- Plantar fascia
- Knees
- Ankles
- Calves
- Running mechanics
- And more
FREE RUNNER SELF-TREATMENT RESOURCES →
These are simple techniques you can try yourself. My approach is generally to work with the body rather than forcing or stretching things that don’t want to move.
And if your shin splints keep coming back, that’s a pretty good indication that there’s more to the story.
Need Help Finding Your Root Cause?
I’m Ralph Havens, a physical therapist in Fairhaven, Bellingham, Washington, at Beyond Limits Physical Therapy.
After more than 41 years as a physical therapist, I help runners and active people recover from chronic and recurring injuries, get back on the trails, and get back to doing what they love.
If you’re dealing with shin splints that won’t go away—or they keep coming back—I can help you look deeper and find the factors that may be contributing to the problem.
I can work with you in person or over Zoom using what I call a Functional Map to map out what’s happening in your body and look for the root causes.
Beyond Limits Physical Therapy
1134 Tenth Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-599-2217
Don’t just keep treating the shin pain.
Find out why it’s there.
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