Home Remedies for Shin Splints
Maybe you were in your aerobics class or completing your morning run, when you felt a shooting pain from the front of your ankle to your kneecap. If you touch the area on the sides of your shinbone, you will feel tender and sore. This could be the result of shin splints.
Shin splints can be annoying and it means that there is an inflammation in the tissue and muscle. This condition simply means that there is an inflammation of tissue or muscle at the front part of the lower leg, which has happened because of repeated, minor irritation or trauma. You can prevent shin splints by following some tips, and if the pain does not reduce even after trying out home remedies, you can visit a doctor. It could mean that is a stress fracture, a small chip in the bone or a crack. If it’s a stress fracture, then remember that you will need medical attention for it.
As for shin splints, do not try to just bear the pain and let it be. Try some of the following solutions to get relief.
- Use ice. If you have an inflammation, then ice can bring relief. In fact, ice is great for treating several types of sports injuries. What you can do is fill a paper cup with water and place it in the freezer. After a few hours, take that cup out and peel the lip slightly and massage it on the shin area for about ten minutes. Alternatively, use a bag of frozen corn kennels or peas to ice the area.
- Tape the shin splints with a bandage, preferably one with an elastic bandage. You can also wear a neoprene sleeve that fits well over your lower leg and compresses the area snugly. This can control the inflammation and support the tissues and help not move the muscle much. You can also take it easy for a few days.
- It is a good idea to buy a pair of good athletic shoes if you are into regular sports or do weight-training exercises or aerobics. If you wear ill-fitting shoes or shoes that do not have enough cushioning or poor insoles, then that can cause shin splints and sports injuries. So, make sure you look for shoes that fit well and designed for the sportsperson. If you are a runner or a sportsperson, we also suggest that you replace your very four to five months.
- You can take two aspirin, which are over-the-counter pain relief medicines. Ibuprofen is also a good medicine for pain relief. These medicines will help reduce the inflammation and swelling that occurs during shin splints.