Posted in Team Finish Line.
September 19th, 2018
Common Running Injuries | Shin Splints
As runners, we are no strangers to injury. Googling is often our go-to when we feel some discomfort pop up, but can oftentimes lead us down a rabbit hole, or provide less than accurate information.
Doctors of Physical Therapy Raechel Bugner & Emmi Aguillard share some of the common running injuries we see here at Finish Line PT, how you can diagnose them, and some recovery/rehab suggestions.
This week’s COMMON RUNNING INJURY:
SHIN SPLINTS
What is it?
- Pain along shin bone (often on impact)
- Could be as minor as tendonitis or as serious as a stress fracture
Possible Causes:
- Increased heel strike (aka: excessive force through shin bone (tibia) at impact)
- Poor ability to pronate
- Increased shock absorb due to decreased foot mobility
- Or just being new to running!
Rehab Tips:
- Work on your running form:
- Try leaning forward
- Get your feet underneath your center of mass (upper body)
- Increase your cadence
- Strength train to improve control of pronation on landing
- Work on foot and ankle mobility to improve ability to pronate at initial contact (shock absorb)
- Foam roll calves
- Run on a soft surface (bridal path in the park, track, treadmill or black-top instead of cement)
- Compression socks
Red Flags:
If the pain is severe and persistent see your physical therapist or orthopedist to see if you have a stress reaction or a stress fracture!
