If you have pain in the front of your lower leg, especially when running, you may have been told that you have "Shin Splints".
This can be a bit misleading, because there are a number of potential causes.
The most serious of these is called Compartment Syndrome, where the muscles around the shin swell up and can constrict the blood supply - it's important not to try to run through this, as it can cause serious damage.
Fortunately, compartment syndrome is relatively rare. It's more likely that your problem is caused by poor foot mechanics, or by tight muscles elsewhere.
It is, however, important that you find out what's causing your pain. Don't put it off - take action now to get back to fitness.
In the meantime, it's a good idea to take a break from running (or the exercise that's causing the problem). You could switch to other, low-impact exercises instead so that you don't lose your fitness.
And it can be helpful to apply ice to the affected area for between 8 and 15 minutes, two or three times a day. Remember not to apply ice directly to the skin - it can cause a cold burn. Wrap it in a damp tea towel, or use a commercial ice pack.
One of our experts can help you find out what's wrong, and advise you on the best course of action for your specific injury. Book your no-obligation, FREE consultation now.
Book before Thursday, 31st October and you'll also receive a free BioFreeze roll-on pain reliever, worth £10.
We think Biofreeze is an excellent way to help manage pain, and it's much easier to use than ice.
"It's always tempting to ignore an injury and hope it goes away by itself. The sensible thing to do is to get a proper diagnosis and find out how to fix it fast. But you have to take that first step!"
