Tuesday, October 12, 2010

How to Treat Sore Shin Splints

In mild cases you can treat shin splins with some simple steps.

* Rest - give your body time to recover. Avoid high intensity activity and keep to low impact for a few days or until you are not sore any longer. Try swimming, bicycling or water running for some low impact activies to keep you moving.

* Ice the affected area - apply ice packs to the affected shin for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day, for several days. Protect your skin with a thin towel.

* Reduce swelling - elevate your legs at night above your heart.

* Take an over-the-counter pain reliever - try ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxien (Aleve) asprin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce pain.

* Wear the proper shoes - see a doctor for additional advice for specialized fitting shoes. Also, some stores will help you find the best fit for you and let you try them out for a month!

* Consider Arch Supports - add some cushion with arch supports. Sold off the shelf and they also can be custom-made from a plaster cast of your foot.

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