Run with shin splints or rest?

[Gems]

Hi all, I have got pretty severe shin splint pain and have been reading conflicting advice regarding running through the pain or resting.

What would you suggest?

Many thanks in advance for any hints, tips or advice you may have x

[AliB1 Graduate]

My suggestion would be to rest, ice them and perhaps do some gentle stretching exercises. Check out one of Greg's blogs, it helped me.

[Gems in reply to AliB1]

Thanks for the reply! I am definitely going to rest up then, shall take a walk tomorrow instead of my run. Not quite the same though is it? But I want them to heal. Shall check out Greg's post too.

[Greg_M Graduate]

If its really sore I would hold up and give them some TLC until it get backs under control (may take a few days) but but not just stopping they need a bit of pampering.

This is how I dealt with mine. Though this does not constitute medical advice!

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

It's not uncommon and you can deal with it if you're a bit patient. It's just your body learning

[Gems in reply to Greg_M]

Thanks Greg, will check out your post now. The resting up definitely makes sense as I've tried running through the pain and that obviously didn't work, but thought I'd check with those more in the know

[jenniej Graduate]

I had shin splints which was worst around week3/beginning of week4. Still get some problems but not as bad as then. What worked for me was to have two days rest between each run, ice, elevation etc & lots of very gentle stretching as AliB1 says - Greg's blog was really helpful and I also used some stretches from an old Callanetics book I have. Be careful on the stretches as you dont want to aggravate the pain. I walked on the spot for a couple of minutes to warm up first before doing the stretches - I didnt see that anywhere but it made sense to me.

Dont run if your legs are still hurting esp if its that sort of burning feeling. After each run do lots of gentle stretching. Another hint I saw that I find very useful was to watch my posture when I ran - try not to lean forward apparently that can cause problems. I also make sure I run on grass all the time. Oh, and get some tubigrip bandages - I got an expensive one & a cheap one and the cheap one was the best - the kind you cut to fit. I wear them every time I run now.

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to jenniej]

i also found compression socks worked a treat....now to scared to try without them lol

[jenniej Graduate in reply to AliB1]

.. socks sound much more appealing (& trendier) than tubigrip bandages!!! I may give them a go only thing is I like to pull the bandage over my knee to give my knees /lower thighs a bit of support - can you do that with the socks?

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to jenniej]

You can get compression guards that go ankle to thigh if you need, or full on tights.

[jenniej Graduate in reply to Greg_M]

thanks Greg, I'll check them out.

[Gems in reply to jenniej]

Thanks for the reply Jennie. Perhaps I should try the two days rest in between runs once I can run again, and for the mean time try rest, ice and elevation. Going to have a look at Greg's post too regarding the stretches.

The pain at the moment feels like my legs are broken and I have quite a high pain threshold! So will hold off the running for now.

[Greg_M Graduate]

Yeah, compression socks! Forgot about them, not a great look but wear mine religiously now.

I got "2XU calf guards"

[Gems in reply to Greg_M]

Shall check these out also! Thanks

[crox Graduate]

Mine have gone away since I bought proper shoes from sweat shop and some elasticated ankle straps from boots, I felt nearly crippled after my 3rd run.

[Gems in reply to crox]

Thanks for the reply Crox, I am planning on going to my local running shop Monday to have a gait analysis done as I don't think my trainers are the best for me.

[witchynic]

if you get a hot spot on your shin rather than generalised shin pain, go see your doctor. x I'm on my third week of gp prescribed rest and it's killing me but better that than get a stress fracture!

[pitzpalu Graduate]

I`d like to say thanks to all on this thread.

I had knee pain after week 2 so, thinking it may be my new trainers, I went back to an old pair.

Knee was instantly cured but as the old trainers had virtually no cushioning I developed shin splints instead :(.

Thanks to the advice on here (and a foam roller) I am back to being painfree

I also took the plunge and had my gait analysed and bought another pair of trainers.

I`ve just finished wk4 run 2 and am pretty much fine.

Back on course