SHIN SPLINTS

A natural approach – no orthotics, no surgery, no medication

What are Shin Splints?

"Shin splints are a very common complaint, that can occur on the medial, lateral and anterior shin. It can occur not only among athletes but also by those who are starting a walking program as a means of healthy cardiovascular exercises or as part of a weight loss regime."

What causes shin splints?

Shin splints is an over-use condition and can be directly attributed to excessive foot supination or pronation (foot joint subluxation). High arched feet (supinated) lack in shock absorption and therefore increase the impact pressure on bones. Flat feet (pronated) cause the muscles around the leg to work harder and longer to resist the excessive movement at heel strike thus resulting in ‘shin splints’.

How to fix shin splints naturally with no orthotics

Taking a good history on training principles and a thorough clinical examination and addressing the underlying biomechanical problem are all paramount in relieving and preventing shin splints. The gastroc-soleal muscle complex (calf) should be checked to ensure there is no tightness. If so, appropriate calf stretches must be issued along with correcting the underlying mechanics. Foot Posture Centre podiatrists are highly trained to identify which compartment in the leg is affected. Often there are misaligned joints within the foot and ankle, and these misalignments increase with activities such as running. This often results in shin splints.

It is crucial that the foot and leg misalignments are corrected if you want to achieve long term relief. Appropriate foot mobilisation and corrective exercises can be issued to correct the joint misalignments (subluxations) and strengthen the feet to resolve shin splints.

To ensure shin splints do not restrict your mobility and inhibit your exercise program, call the Foot Posture Centre for a comprehensive assessment. They will be able to advise you if your shin splint problem can be resolved naturally without orthotics or surgery.

Call our centres either in Forest Hill on 9877 0056 or Ivanhoe on 9499 2006 to arrange your initial assessment. We look forward to seeing you soon!

FOOT FACTS

WARNING: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending on the diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.