Shinsplints...Who Needs Them?

I don't know how many people really suffer from shinsplints, but I happen to get terrible ones every single time I exercise. I don't know why it happens--I stretch very thoroughly before and after working out, and for some reason, I can't seem to shake these things off. Gretchen Reynolds just wrote an article in the NY Times about how to treat shinsplints (you can only imagine how this news is music to my ears). Naturally, I was intrigued, and I found out some very helpful information.

Dr. Sabrina Strickland says in the article that wearing shoes with more cushion, increasing mileage slowly, and training on soft surfaces such as grass can all help shinsplints, but for some people, shin splints are inevitable (sigh). This is what is suggested in the article to treat the injury:

"A good start is to sit in a chair and straighten your sore leg; reach down to your toes and gently pull them back toward your body. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds or so and repeat five or six times. Then reverse the motion and gently push the toes down for 30 seconds or so and repeat five or six times. " 

This is where the pain happens!

If you're experiencing shin splints, cut back on exercise that affects this part of your leg. If the pain continues, go see a doctor. 

For those of you who are chronic shinsplint-ers like me, I hope this article helps! I know I'll definitely be utilizing its content to solve my pain in the future.

Article cred: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/ask-well-relief-for-shin-splints/?ref=health

Photo cred: http://richwoodstrack.com/physiology/shin_splints.html