How to Massage Shin Splints

Shin splints are a painful inflammation caused by running or jumping. Get expert tips and advice on massage and other treatments in this video.

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Sports

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• health
• fitness
• wellness

[TheRaquelMS]

why isn't the camera focused on the area she describes?

[CombatGal]

@lsiwankiw Angry people who attack and name-call instead of rationally explaining their point should be taken off youtube.

[stasber]

@UkPR0 Agreed to a point. A skilled bodyworker will have you back on form much sooner than simply resting. Massage is far from a perfect solution, especially for the likes of shin splints, but it can be effective especially coupled with rehab. I've a couple of dancers at the moment who are responding well to treatment. They can't afford to lay off training so remedial intervention isn't an option. The massage profession suffers from a very wide gamut. Find a good one, keep them and tell others.

[UkPR0]

@stasber Going off topic here, but massage therapy and such will only help to a very limited extent, and I don't know why everyone thinks massage therapy is such a panacea. The best remedy for shin splints is conditiong of the Tibealis Anterior, and laying off running on roads for a while, thats how I cured mine anyway. As soon as people come across the slightest niggle they never hesitate to unload their wallet on an amateur massage therapist hoping for some kind of magic cure.

[stasber]

@UkPR0 Chiropractors can sometimes use low impact adjustments to release the interosseous membrane but for the most part, remedial massage treatment isn't especially nice, particularly if the shin splints are severe. If the shin splints are extremely painful and don't respond to manual therapy then a hairline fracture should be considered, but it's not a given without scans or a medial assessment, and introduces another scenario.

[getlost317]

i hear a lot of comment about negative results from doing this video. I also hear that shin splints is not always diagnosed properly. I have some recommendations. I am a state licensed MT for over four years and have consulted a lot with other teachers of the profession on this topic.

There is nothing that replaces a professionals diagnosis. So first off, before you attempt any massage you should learn what is good for you first by seeing your doctor. It is the least time consuming route.

[UkPR0]

@stasber Yes, I suppose you have a good point, however some of the techniques she is demonstrating in this video do look like they would be very painful, that coming from someone who has had quite severe shin splints. I mean at 2:30, I know for a fact that someone with shin splints couldn't handle that much pressure being put on either side of the Tibia, due to the fact that someone with shin splints has hairline fractures behind the bone.

[stasber]

@UkPR0 Maybe she does know? She didn't say and I've no reason to doubt her training. I also don't disagree with the techniques she's suggesting in this clip or how she's doing them as she's clearly a competent therapist. There is some debate regarding working in one direction over another, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on choosing to work o-i and contravenously given that its a local treatment. And making a video without medical jargon also has its merits.

[UkPR0]

@stasber Ok...but I don't even think she says what causes it, people doing this type of video should know it's caused by an inbalance between the tibealis anterior and posterior, where the anterior is alot weaker than the posterior. I think she's picked up a massage book from the library and has decided to bombard poor people with incorrect information from unknown sources.

[stasber]

@UkPR0 People don't often talk about medial tibial syndrome, they refer to to it as shin splints and everyone understands shin splints. I don't see a problem with her calling it the shin bone.

[luvfritz2009]

@JazyGirl26 it might not be a shin splint I mean I am no doctor but if it is near the ankle it might have something to do with your ankle? But on that note pressure on shin splints at least walking and etc does hurt?