Shin Splints!!!

[Gpcaballero]

im leaving to MCRD in two weeks. ive been training no problem, until a week ago. now when i go running im getting f.... Shin splints.
any advice???
ive researched and the only solutions i get is rest (but i cant let my self go)
ive been running anyway, but only until the pain starts.
what do i do if this happens while in boot camp???

[CBRN5711Tech]

I don't know why you're posting in the former poolee advice forum when you should be posting in ask a Marine. You definitely are still a poolee. Go see a doctor. This is not web md.

[Old Marine]

Go to sick call and join the crutch brigade.

[ArtyOps]

Stop runnning on asphault all the time. You need to switch up and run on grass or a softer surface.

[Gpcaballero]

thanks for all the help.
leaving in 5 days

[MarineCorekilla]

Stop Being A ***** And Suck It Up Soldier

[Gpcaballero]

im not being a p....
all i did was ask for advice. but im sure ill do just fine.

[JSam]

Ignore him, he's essentially an idiot. Carry on, ballero.

[thewookie]

I really think that shin splints are a mind-over-matter issue. Take some Motrin and get better gofasters.

[Lisa 23]

I had shin splints when I was a Sr in high school and on the basketball team.......and they really hurt. I had to take a few days off and rest my legs.

What's the Treatment for Shin Splints?

Although shin splints may be caused by different problems, treatment is usually the same: Rest your body so the underlying issue heals. Here are some other things to try:



Icing the shin to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days, or until the pain is gone.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs (http://arthritis.webmd.com/features/pain-relief-how-nsaids-work)), like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs can have side effects, like an increased risk of bleeding and ulcers. They should be used only occasionally unless your doctor specifically says otherwise.
Arch supports for your shoes. These orthotics -- which can be custom-made or bought off the shelf -- may help with flat feet.
Range of motion exercises, if your doctor recommends them.
Neoprene sleeve to support and warm the leg.
Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your shins.
If you keep running before you go to MCRD, you are only going to make it worse for yourself.....so rest those legs up before you go.

[Sergeant M]

Stop Being A ***** And Suck It Up Soldier

Shut up and join the Army if you want to be a soldier.

[marine95]

It will take some rest and good stretching. But be careful. If you get stress fractures, you will be there longer then normal. Not good.

[giveen]

http://www.ehow.com/how_5019486_treat-shin-splints-stretching.html (http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/lowerleg/shinsplints/stretching.php)

Do these stretches, they are what I do for my shin splits.

[Gunner614]

I had shin splints a while back. Stopped running for a week and it went away.

[Alisium]

Are you sure their shin splints? Shin splints are essentially cramps in your muscles.

If you press on the area with your thumb, some time after the run, and it hurts, it might be stress fractures. Something I have been suffering with since playing soccer in high school.

The only way to make that go away is a full stop on running. You can do other things to maintain your aerobic stamina.

Go to a doctor and check for stress fractures.

[Supersquishy]

Ride a bike if you need to keep up your cardio, thats what I do when I need to rest my knees as not to overstrain them.

[Lisa 23]

Shin Splints (Tibial Stress Syndrome)

Many athletes get shin splints (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/help-for-shin-splints) -- also called tibial stress syndrome -- at one time or another. Whether you jog daily or just had to sprint to catch a bus one day, you may have shin splints when you feel throbbing and aching in your shins. While they often heal on their own, severe shin splints can ruin your game.


Shin splints aren't really a single medical condition. Instead, they're just a symptom of an underlying problem. They might be caused by:

Irritated and swollen muscles, often caused by overuse.
Stress fractures (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-basic-information), which are tiny, hairline breaks in the lower leg bones.
Overpronation or ''flat feet" -- when the impact of a step causes the arch of your foot to collapse, stretching (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tc/fitness-flexibility) the muscles and tendons.
Shin splints are very common. They're the cause of 13% of all running injuries. Runners might get them after ramping up their workout (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm) intensity, or changing the surface they run on -- like shifting from a dirt path to asphalt. Shin splints are also common in dancers.

What Do Shin Splints Feel Like?

Shin splints cause dull, aching pain in the front of the lower leg. Some people feel it only during exercise; others, when they've stopped exercising. Sometimes, the pain is constant.
Depending on the exact cause, the pain may be located along either side of the shinbone or in the muscles. The area may be painful to the touch. Swollen muscles can sometimes irritate the nerves in the feet, causing them to feel weak or numb.
To diagnose shin splints, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam. He or she may want to see you run to look for problems. You may also need X-rays or bone scans to look for fractures. Other tests are sometimes necessary.

When Will My Shin Splints Feel Better?

There's no way to say exactly when your shin splints will go away. It depends on what's causing them. People also heal at different rates -- three to six months is not unusual.
The most important thing is not to rush back into your sport. If you start exercising before your shin splints have healed, you hurt yourself permanently.
While you heal, you could take up a new non-impact activity that won't aggravate your shin splints. For instance, runners might try swimming.
Your shin splints are fully healed when:


Your injured leg is as flexible as your other leg.
Your injured leg feels as strong as your other leg.
Your can jog, sprint, and jump without pain.
Your x-rays are normal or show any stress fractures have healed.
How Can I Prevent Shin Splints?

To prevent shin splints, you should

Always wear shoes with good support and padding.
Warm up before working out, making sure to stretch the muscles in your legs.
Stop working out as soon as you feel pain in your shins.
Don't run or play on hard surfaces like concrete.

[fjmas1976]

im leaving to MCRD in two weeks. ive been training no problem, until a week ago. now when i go running im getting f.... Shin splints.
any advice???
ive researched and the only solutions i get is rest (but i cant let my self go)
ive been running anyway, but only until the pain starts.
what do i do if this happens while in boot camp???
Wear the proper running sneakers. Stretch and hydrate. Other than that, suck it up. You are bound to feel pain when you get to Recruit Training and you are going to be hurt at some point. Push through it and carry on.:usmc:

[Alisium]

Wear the proper running sneakers. Stretch and hydrate. Other than that, suck it up. You are bound to feel pain when you get to Recruit Training and you are going to be hurt at some point. Push through it and carry on.:usmc:

Pushing through pain is horrible advice. Cramps and exhaustion are one thing but recurrent and acute pain is your body telling you that something is wrong. Heed the warning.

That's how you cause serious damage to your body and will, eventually, take your self out as an asset to the Marine Corps.

[atimmons]

Well he's at boot now so hope he's doin well. I'm sure the docs there set him up fine.

[BlknGld0311]

It's definately NOT a mind over matter thing. If you don't rest and at least cross-train (elliptical, bike, swim) to make the other muscles around that bone stronger, you WILL end up with a stress fracture.

I had one before my senior year due to cross country. Thought it was a lack of stretching, but it kept getting worse. Eventually, I saw a specialist in sports medicine, and he told me I've had a stress fracture for at least the last month. Put me out of commision for 6 weeks for rest, and I missed the start of wrestling season for my SENIOR year. NOT a good way to start. Had to bike a lot to keep up conditioning

[johnb08]

Yeah the stress fracture thing isn't a joke. I can't tell you how many recruits I met when I was in boot that had got a stress fracture and then sent back in training.

[Murray291]

new shoes?

[Oohrah Devildog]

its your sneakers i had the same problem i got running shoes and was good .. boots as well .. hiking boots and construction boots are totally different with the shoes and boots they give to you in boot you will be fine

[xbh]

I was in MRP for a month. The majority of injuries are from stress fractures which is kind of in a way extreme shin splints. I started to get shin splints while I was in MRP from being told I wasn't allowed to exercise. Another recruit gave me the advice of drinking orange juice. The potassium is supposed to help. After that, I drank OJ with every chow. Must have worked because I didn't have a problem after that, lol.

You are going to love those Pendleton hills, oorah.

[echo3oscar1833]

Suck it up thats all I got to say about shin splints. I had them, and carried the f on.:beer: