Causes, fixes, and tips from runners to runners

You just increased your mileage in order to be ready for that race coming up only to realize that now your shins hurt?

Shin splints, one of the most common injuries for runners, caused usually by sudden increase or change in workout routine is something you want to treat properly to avoid a chronic condition.

What is going on?

Usually shin splints develop when the muscle and bone tissue in the leg become overworked by repetitive activity.

This can happen after sudden changes in physical activity, such as when you start training after being previously inactive or increasing the number of weekly exercises. Changes in duration, frequency and intensity can also cause shin splints.

Usually the pain is felt as tenderness on the inner front side or the furthest outer edge of the shin. When the ankle is extended, the pain worsens. Untreated, shin splints can become chronic and lead to stress fracture.

Common causes for shin splints

  • Muscle imbalances. If there is a muscle imbalance between your legs, this causes more stress on the stronger side leading to a higher probability of shin splints and other injuries.
  • Feet problems, like fallen arches of the foot (flat feet), rigid arches, overpronation or supination, change your normal way of walking and running. This can lead to shin splints.
  • Tight calf muscles. If the calf muscles, especially the soleus muscle, are tight, this can reduce the mobility of the ankle causing changes in your normal walking and running pattern thus placing extra stress on the shins.
  • Exercising too much, too heavily. Performing a lot of high intensity exercises, like excessive amounts of eccentric muscle activity for the medial shin muscle, jumping, hiking or running high mileage.

What can I do to recover?

Even though as a runner you just want to run, it makes sense to rest in order to avoid shin splints becoming chronic and to reduce a risk of a stress fracture. Let your body recover. Take some time off of from you normal exercise routine.

Usually the symptoms ease up after a few weeks, but if the injury is prolonged, you should get in contact with a physiotherapist or a doctor. Don’t try to return to your old workout routine too quickly.

Fasciawear is loved by 9 out of 10 runners

While we’re not claiming that our flagship product Fasciawear would cure shin splints in the acute phase, it has helped many of its users to balance their bodies and prevent shin splints from re-occurring.

Fasciawear improves core muscle activation, balances the muscle activation and improves mobility helping to keep correct foot alignment even when your body gets tired reducing strain on your shins.

It is loved especially for its unique posture and form correcting features. In fact, 9 out of 10 users say they would hate it if they didn’t own it anymore.

Decide for yourself, Try it out now!

"I’ve been running always, but I haven’t really enjoyed it for years. I’ve been very aware of my bad form during my runs, my left knee has been painful, breathing has been weird and the whole package has been just all over the place.

Well, when I got the suit, it all just changed immediately. First I realized that ok, I don’t have to think about my posture and form anymore – my body takes care of it now. I felt how my footsteps were natural and light. The outfit forced my breathing to utilize the whole diaphragm area.

Oh my god, I had really fixed my main problems with one outfit. After the run my abs felt like they had the workout of their lifetime as well, and I didn’t even know that was possible with just running. Now I have become nearly dependent on the outfit, I will not run without it anymore."

-Sami

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Mobility exercises for runners