Shin splints

Ina · Shin splints

Does anybody have any brilliant ideas how to deal with shin splints? The pain is bothering me mightily; as far as I can see from websites etc, the doc would only prescribe anti-inflammatories, and I haven't found one yet that works for me; as alternative treatment cold packs are recommended - but my house is freezing anyway, and I really, really can't face ice cold legs on top of that...

Anybody heard of any herbal treatments or so?

baldowrie

yes they smart a little don't they!

You could try some deep heat massage treatment, massage toward the heart and not toward the toes. But a slow down is usually the treatment.

How did you get them? They usually occur with excessive or new exercise regimes.

Diana

Have you tried Arnica (as an ointment applied directly to the leg)?

Or possibly Bryonia Alba - see:
http://www.drfeder.com/general-he...thletes-sportsinjuries-arnica.htm

Ina

Now - never thought of Arnica... I have that in the house, so will try tonight. And I'll check out the other stuff.

I've been overdoing the physical labour a bit recently - lots of mucking out on the farm... And my weight doesn't help, of course. My hips hurt as well, in fact, I'd love a leg transplant, please!

Diana

Erm, also, have you been taking the turmeric? That's anti-inflamatory so should help too.

Ina

Yes, I know - I had been taking it. But then the pains got so bad that I decided to take painkillers, as I really can't afford not to be on my feet at work this week - and the painkillers make me feel sick, so I didn't want to take turmeric as well! I'll start taking it again tomorrow - we'll be finished here tomorrow lunchtime.

Ina

Don't know what's done it - but my legs are better today...

baldowrie

shin splints tend to just go as suddenly as they come

Ina

Just as well! Wouldn't want that all the time... And the hardest part of the current work is over, too, so I can take it a bit easier for the rest of the weekend. Mucking out again on Monday, though...

baldowrie

no they are not pleasant are they...but it is a signs that you are over doing and just to scare you a little if you continue to over do it you could end up with a hair line fractures on some occasions. So they can be serious.

One of the first things you learn, the hard way, when you start athletics..you get shin splints you rest!

Ina

I've had them for many years - but I never knew what they were, only, often after a hard day's walking or cycling, I'd get home with terrible pains in my shins. It wasn't until a few years ago, here in Aberdeen, that a fellow student told me what they were! Obviously, it had never bothered me enough to go to the doc's about it. But they've increased in frequency recently, so I really must be careful. B***y old age - I'm getting pains and strains all over my body!

Julie

You need to try and spend less time on your feet Ina. I know your job may not always permit it, but perhaps when you get home you could soak in a hot bath and try to sit with your feet up afterwards.
If I spend all day on my feet I get shooting pains in the muscles on either side of my shins and the bones in my feet and ankles. I find that the rest and warmth help quite a bit. Does the weight of the duvet on your legs and feet hurt too?

Ina

Have just been told that I need to move more! And quite honestly - I'm not wasting energy on hot baths all the time. I don't think in this day and age we can justify that. I do put my feet up for a while after work most days... In fact, yesterday I spent most of the day sitting down (to Glasgow on the train, then a day sitting at a training course), and the pains were a lot worse! I almost think now that I have a trapped nerve in my knee - that seems to be where the pain originates. It only got better when I got up and walked about.