Shin pain? It could be shin splints.

If you have pain along the inside of your shin, you might have been told that you have shin splints. Shin Splints has been renamed to Medial Tibial Stress syndrome, as it considered more medically accurate. Medial Tibial Stress syndrome is caused when muscles in the calves pull on the Tibial bone where they attach and it is this irritation to the bony attachment surface that causes the shin pain.

The condition is common amongst military personal and athletes. Running related activities typically worsens the condition. Risk factors for developing Medial Tibial Stress syndrome or shin splints include;

• poor foot/ankle biomechanics
• training errors
• improper footwear
• surface type
• fatigue and poor lower limb flexibility

The foundation of treatment for shin splints is based on activity modification and symptomatic relief. Identifying aggravating activities and modifying them is crucial in the short-medium term. It is also important to have your chiropractor assess your foot, ankle, knee and hip biomechanics as these regions often have a role when it comes to Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome aka shin splints.

Remember you should always get a professionals opinion before you self diagnose!