[maxintosh]

I had to quit track last spring after a painful encounter with shin splints, to avoid getting a stress fracture.

So I've been boxing here at college, and I really love the team and my training's been going great... until now... when I can feel the shin splints returning. Except I like boxing a heck of a lot more than I liked track, so I'm not willing to give up without a big fight...

Asking my coach to cut back on running, stairs, and skipping rope is somewhat out of the question for now. And I really don't want to take any time off since it's a lot of important technique and theory training. So...

Here's what I've found out about dealing with shin splints so far...

- Apply heat and massage before training.
- Stretch calves before and after training.
- Take Advil before and after training to prevent inflammation and swelling.
- Ice and massage after training.
- Use insoles to boost support and prevent rolling.
- Suck it up.

Anything I'm missing?

[cjrivera]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
I had to quit track last spring after a painful encounter with shin splints, to avoid getting a stress fracture.

So I've been boxing here at college, and I really love the team and my training's been going great... until now... when I can feel the shin splints returning. Except I like boxing a heck of a lot more than I liked track, so I'm not willing to give up without a big fight...

Asking my coach to cut back on running, stairs, and skipping rope is somewhat out of the question for now. And I really don't want to take any time off since it's a lot of important technique and theory training. So...

Here's what I've found out about dealing with shin splints so far...

- Apply heat and massage before training.
- Stretch calves before and after training.
- Take Advil before and after training to prevent inflammation and swelling.
- Ice and massage after training.
- Use insoles to boost support and prevent rolling.
- Suck it up.

Anything I'm missing?

Since shin splints are due to a type of "overuse" disorder, resting would be the best/quickest way to heal.

But, since you can't do that in your case, when doing training (running, etc.) do the activities that cause no, or at the very least minimal, pain to the area. this would include running/jumping rope on soft grass/ground, instead of a concrete gym floor, avoiding running stairs (maybe running up a hill with soft ground that absorbs more of the force/impact of your feet than wood/concrete stairs). Water training/ bicycling (low impact training) can be used to help if you must continue to train.

Also, have your feet/lower legs evaluated by a physician (someone having sports medicine training/orthopedic is usually better). Improper foot/lower leg alignment and improper gait have been shown to be a major factor in the development of shin splints. If you are using insoles, nake sure they are the right ones for your feet. Use of heel pads have helped some athletes I have seen in the past. Taping of the shins by a properly trained trainer can also help.