Shin Splints

Woman holding onto her painful left calfWhat is it? Shin splints is a pain at the front of the lower leg, running down the shin.

Common Cause: Shin splints usually results from inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tibia (the largest bone in the bottom of the leg).

Common Symptoms: Pain can radiate down the front of the lower leg and this increases when the foot and toes are bent downwards, and is usually worse during and after activity.

How can Physiotherapy help? It can reduce pain and inflammation associated with shin splints and identify any movement dysfunctions, improve flexibility in the surrounding muscles and regain function.

What to expect during treatment: Soft tissue massage, movement assessment and education on correct movement patterns.

What can you do for yourself? Rest, Ice in the early stages of recovery, stretch the surrounding muscles and keep active.

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The Author

Lewis Payne

Lewis graduated from The University of Nottingham in 2013 with a First Class Honours in Physiotherapy, worked as Sheffield F.C.’s first team Physiotherapist, and now runs a leading-edge private clinic in Sheffield. With over ten years of experience, he specialises in manual therapy, advanced technological treatments, and exercise-based approaches, focusing on spinal and joint conditions, sports injuries, and specifically complex spinal issues like disc pathology and scoliosis. Lewis leads in IDD Therapy, performing over 6000 treatments, offers MRI referrals and reviews, and employs a holistic treatment philosophy viewing the body as a Tensegrity structure. He excels in postural analysis, soft tissue release techniques, and prescribes biomechanical corrective exercises to enhance natural movement.