How do I stop my shins from hurting when I run?

How Are They Treated?

  1. Rest your body. It needs time to heal.
  2. Ice your shin to ease pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone.
  3. Use insoles or orthotics for your shoes.
  4. Take anti-inflammatory painkillers, if you need them.

How do I stop my calves and shins from hurting?

Here are some simple steps that you can take on your own:

  1. Stretch your calves and hamstrings.
  2. Avoid sudden increases in physical activity.
  3. Exercise on softer surfaces when possible.
  4. Strengthen your foot and the arch of your foot.
  5. Strengthen your hip muscles.
  6. Buy new athletic shoes that are right for you.

Can tight calves cause shin pain?

Because the propulsive motion of running works the rear of the leg more than the front, runners often have overworked, tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles. This can lead to four specific lower-leg injuries – calf pulls, shin splints, stress fractures and compartment syndrome.

Do weak calves cause shin splints?

Unfortunately: Because weak shin muscles (tibias anterioris) are not the real cause of shin splints, strengthening the tibilias anterior will only help prevent shin splints slightly. (Mostly because it’s such a small muscle and its primary function is dorsiflexion of the ankle, not shock absorption.)

Is it OK to run with sore shins?

Continuing to run with shin splints is not a good idea. Continuing the exercise that caused the painful shin splints will only result in further pain and damage that could lead to stress fractures. You should either eliminate running for a while or at least decrease the intensity with which you train.

How do I fix tight calves?

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) is good for immediate treatment of muscle issues in the first 48 to 72 hours after you notice tightness and pain. Following the RICE method helps reduce damage in the muscles. Try using an ice pack for 20 minutes every two hours while resting and elevating the leg.

Will strengthening my calves help with shin splints?

In reality, improving calf strength, abductor strength and strengthening hip muscles are a better approach to preventing shin splints. The calves are the largest muscle group in the lower leg (more on them here) and research has shown that strengthening them will help you stabilize the tibia with each impact.

How do you strengthen your calves for shin splints?

Calf raises can help strengthen the calf muscles, which may relieve some pain. Stand on a step or step stool with the balls of your feet on the stool and the back half floating off of it. Slowly raise up on your toes and then drop down, stretch your foot and calf muscle as your heels lower. Hold for 10–20 seconds.