This Sunday, February 8th is the Second Sunday in the Park at Surprise Community Park from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. What better way is there to spend a Sunday afternoon with your family than walking around, listening to live music? If you’re hobbling around with painful shin splints you may not agree with that opinion, so it should come as good news that you can treat this painful condition at home pretty easily.
The injury mainly affect runners, or people who are on their feet often. It’s caused by overuse and can occur at any time. Maybe you’ve been running along fine for a while and then all of a sudden you feel throbbing and aching in your shins. Could it be shin splints? Ask yourself if you’ve recently increased the level of intensity in your running, if you’ve changed routes that include different terrain or more hills, or if your shoes may be wearing out. If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you could be suffering from this condition. You may also be at an increased risk if you have flat feet or weak muscles, particularly in your core area.
Make sure to get treatment for your shin splints; do not simply write it off as “normal” and try to run through the pain. This can only make things worse in the long run. The most important thing you can do for your body is to rest it for a period of time. If you can’t stand the idea of not exercising for a few days, do something more low-impact (think cycling or swimming).
You should also be applying ice to your leg throughout the day for about 20 minutes at a time, but never apply the ice directly to your skin! Another option is physical therapy, which can help strengthen certain muscles. Only when you are able to bear your full weight on the injured leg can you return to running. In the future you may wish to invest in some orthotics or inserts to offer more cushioning or support where you need it to prevent a recurrence.
For more information call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
