Cairns Podiatry 5 Step guide for helping shin pain

Have you started running more recently and started to develop shin pain? Chances are, you are probably suffering from shin splints! Shin splints Cairns treatment is available at FNQ Podiatry and Orthotics

Here is our simple 5-step guide that you can work on at home to try and settle your symptoms and get back into running!

What are shin splints?

  • Shin splints are a common over-use injury.
  • They develop when the muscle and bone tissue (periosteum) in the leg become overworked by repetitive activity.
  • Shin splints often occur after sudden changes in physical activity. Changes in frequency, such as increasing the number of days you exercise each week. Changes in duration and intensity, such as running longer distances or on hills, can also cause shin splints. There are a lot of people currenting ticking these boxes with the Covid-19 government restrictions!
  • Other factors that contribute to shin splints include: Flat/pronating feet, ill-fitting footwear and excess weight.

Cairns Podiatry Shin splint symptoms generally involve the following:

  • Sharp/razor-like at the start of activity that warms up. Post activity, symptoms change to a dull ache along the inside or front borders of your shins
  • Tenderness with palpation along the symptomatic area
  • Pain while resting at night is generally not present and if this is the case, may suggest that stress fractures are involved. 

 

Cairns Podiatrist 5-step guide to improving your shin pain:

1.Stretching and releasing your lower leg muscles, particularly your calves:

  • Try and include every muscle from your knee down, including; gastrocnemius (top aspect of calf), soleus (lower aspect of calf), tibialis anterior (runs along the front of your shin) and tibialis posterior (runs along the inside of your shin).

2. Foam roller work along the aforementioned muscle groups. Yes, it will be painful but trust us – it will help!

3. Gentle self-massage with use of Anti-Flamme cream – to further decrease inflammation in the region. Useful particularly before getting into bed at night. 

4. Rock taping techniques- Application, tape is anchored without stretch on the outside of the foot.  The tape is then pulled under the arch to the inside ankle bone (medial malleolus) with quite a bit of stretch (70-80%), then ease off the stretch back to 30-40% as the tape is laid along the inside of the shin, with no stretch for the last inch.  A decompression strip can then be applied over the area of most pain, usually a 5-10cm above the inside ankle bone (medial malleolus). This is done with “band aid” technique, using a 10cm length of tape, with the backing paper ripped in the middle, stretched to 80% over the area of pain, with no stretch on either end.  Rub the tape to generate heat and activate the glue. Make sure the tape is applied an hour before running.

5.Supportive footwear/insoles – to help reduce mechanical stress, reduce muscle fatigue, and improve lower leg shock absorption

The earlier you seek shin splints treatment Cairns, the quicker it will get better. A lot of people think the pain will get better on its own and keep training through the pain. This generally results in a lack of early intervention and symptoms quickly snowball into a chronic issue. Our clinics provide effective Cairns shin splints treatment for a range of patients. So, if you or any of your friends or family are suffering from shin pain, contact our clinic today and we will get you on the road to recovery.

Our clinical locations all remain open and are contactable on 40 455 749 or online at www.fnqpodiatry.com.au. If you are unable to make it into one of our clinics, we are offering telehealth consultations where we can assess your symptoms and provide further advice.

LOWER BACK PAIN

Flat feet and lower limb biomechanics can cause lower back pain. We can help with a range of effective treatment options.

KNEE PAIN

If you have knee pain, you might have Patellofemoral syndrome, which left untreated can become a chronic condition.

SHIN SPLINTS

Active individuals often get shin splints. We can help with custom orthotics, massage and strapping.

HEEL PAIN

Heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis) is the most common condition that presents at our clinics. We can help.

FOOT & ANKLE PAIN

The average pair of feet walk approximately 200,000 km over the course of a lifetime - have you had yours checked recently?

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Our new modern, purpose built clinic on Mulgrave Road in Earlville, is the only podiatry clinic north of south-east Queensland to include a running rehab room and gym. This clinic is a game changer for podiatry in North Queensland. Podiatrist Cairns.

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