Home > Blog > Physiotherapy > Shin Splints Physiotherapy

Shin Splints Physiotherapy



Shin splints are relatively common injuries, and unfortunately they are too commonly misleadingly-termed as shin pain that is experienced during running.

The reason why they're misleading and why most sports medicine professionals and physiotherapists try not to use the term 'shin splints' and 'shin pain' can be two totally different conditions and with different causes and treatment approaches.

The proper medical term of shin splints is called "Medial Tibial Traction Periostitis" (MTTP) which refers to an inflammatory condition of the front part of the shin bone called the tibia, or the back/side part called posterior or medial shin splints respectively.

For ease of reference of this article, we will retain the use of the term "shin splint".

Shin Splints Symptoms

Patients suffering from shin splints will experience mild to severe discomfort and pain on the inner border of the shin (medial Tibial border) during and after any strenuous activities or exercise. It is important to be able to tell shin splints from shin pain because there are other causes of shin pain such as

Shin splints usually presents with

  • pain (dull ache)
  • palpable tenderness along the inside of the lower leg (calf)

In the beginning, patients may experience pain/ache only during beginning part of running, and that their shin pain decreases with continued activity. However, as the condition progressively becomes worse, their shin pain may be present throughout the activity and even linger long after the exercise/activity has ended.

Shin Splints Physiotherapy Treatment

The pain experience with shin splints is mainly caused by excessive pressure on the lower leg muscles, for example

  • running a frequently on hard surfaces
  • increasing your training load/intensity too quickly is a common issue (too hard too fast)

Physiotherapy at Phoenix Physio clinis for shin splints may include:

  • Alternating cold therapy and heat therapy
  • Soft tissue massage to relieve any muscle tension and break up scar tissue
  • A range of customized exercises of strengthening and stretching exercises for the Achilles, the upper and lower calf, and the hamstrings.
  • Advice about low-impact exercises such as swimming
  • In the long-term you may need to change your running style in order to correct the way that the foot hits the ground, as well as making sure that good footwear is worn
  • Orthotic advice to help raise fallen arches

Your physiotherapist at Phoenix Physio will devise a graduated training programme to promote recovery and help you return to your usual sports activities.

In order to help prevent this condition from coming back, a bio-mechanical analysis (an analysis of posture at rest and during walking and running) with our specialist physios should be undertaken to identify and pick up any factors that may be making a person susceptible/aggravating shin pain and shin splints, so that they can be corrected before a return to activity.

Shin Splints
Our Expertise

Muscle imbalance and leg length inequality are common causes of mal-alignment that can be picked up during a physiotherapy assessment with us. A common cause of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome is Flat Feet. These would be identified during the physiotherapy bio-mechanical assessment and analysis.

When our foot pronates (this means to walk or run with most of the weight on the inside edge of the feet) at a higher speed, what happens is that it puts additional unnecessary pressure on the muscles along the front and side of the leg. Over time, this leads to overuse syndrome, stress fractures and ischaemic pain associated with increased compartmental pressure.

Arch supporting orthotics insoles is very effective in remedying this problem but must be clinically and customized instead of being off-the-shelf/retail because there are many different types and some can make you worse rather than better.

All cases of shin pains should be properly assessed and treated with a specialist physiotherapist.



Back to Top

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Phoenix Rehab Physio Services

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.



HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to

  1. manage and decrease hand pains
  2. improve range of motion, strength and dexterity
  3. increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes



REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.

It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.



TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

  • Cupping TCM
  • Auricular Therapy TCM
  • Herbal TCM Medicine & Supplementation



DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and  shorten downtime / recovery period required.

It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.

Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.



ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

do Tell Your Family, Friends And Colleagues About Us =)

We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore

    Jan 18, 23 03:01 AM

    Phoenix Rehab Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore

    Read More

  2. Germaine Sim Hand Therapist

    Dec 11, 22 03:43 AM

    Germain Sim is a hand therapist practicing hand therapy, splinting, assessing and treating finger, hand and elbow pains in Phoenix Rehab

    Read More

  3. Adele Ang Principal Physiotherapist Singapore

    Jun 29, 22 08:32 AM

    Adele is a registered physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience including treating national athletes as well as recreational athletes having worked in Singapore Sports Council and Singapore Spo…

    Read More

  4. Achilles Tendon Pain Physiotherapy

    Feb 03, 22 04:05 AM

    Achilles tendon pain is very common among recreational and elite sportspeople. But it is also common among sedentary individuals

    Read More

  5. Tendonitis Physiotherapy & Hand Therapy

    Feb 03, 22 12:16 AM

    Tendonitis, tendinopathy and tendinosis are all tendon injuries and treated by physiotherapists and hand therapists

    Read More

  6. Cervical Spondylosis Physiotherapy

    Jan 11, 22 02:01 AM

    Cervical spondylosis is a general term to describe the degenerative condition in the neck which results in pain and other symptoms

    Read More

  7. Tendon Pain Tendinopathy Physiotherapy

    Jan 07, 22 12:28 AM

    Tendinopathy (tendon injuries) can develop in any tendon of the body and has many names such as tendinitis and it can be treated with good tendon physiotherapy

    Read More

  8. The importance of staging and compression in tendinopathy physio

    Dec 15, 21 01:47 AM

    Tendon problems are common in runners and can become a persistent issue if not properly treated.

    Read More

  9. Tendon Pain Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy

    Dec 14, 21 11:23 PM

    Pain and pathology in a tendon, known as tendinopathy, is a common injury in athletes that can be difficult to manage. Physio and hand therapy can help healing

    Read More

  10. Tendon Injuries Physiotherapy, Hand Therapy, TCM & Massage

    Dec 07, 21 01:31 AM

    We use the world’s best tendon recovery programs through cutting edge treatment techniques for all tendon injuries (and tendon injuries differ accordingly)

    Read More