Never ending shin splints

[Tmaxxracer32]

Hey,
So this is my first post, hopefully I am in the correct area!
My question is that I am a 20 year old very active male and recently (past 3-5 months) I have experienced terrible shin splints that are on the sides of my shin. Adjacent to my shin right below my calf.. Whatever muscle that is..
Anyways in the past I have been able to go run 3 miles with no problem and no pain at All. I recently moved off to college and have started getting these terrible pains whether I am running playing basketbAll or even sitting on the ground where I'm keeping myself up by sitting on my calf (does that make sense) like your feet and calfs sorta keep you from sitting Indian style.

Anyways my question is should I continue to run and suck it up, get some dumb brace, go to the doctor and see if someone is actually wrong, etc. It does not hurt at all when I walk.. Only when I put pressure in that area.

Thanks for any help!!

[skuzie]

hey there,

arent shin splints great!!! ive had them since i was a teenager in high school and in both legs and quite bad, these are things that can help,

massage, grab some oily massage stuff, (get your mind out of the gutter), and really dig both your thumbs together down your shins, it does hurt, but if you go to a massuse, it kills!!!!  so do it gently but so you feel it,

also stretch alot, even though when they are sore it kills, but even when sitting on your arse at home, just do calf stretches, trust me they help!,

ice pack, or typical frozen peas when it starts hurting

orthotics can also help, but usually you may need a doctor refferal, make sure you use an accredited poditrist, and they can also give helpful hints.

if your sore, advoid walking up hills, and walking on soft stuff like beaches,

i hope this helps
take care
susie

[Jaquta]

The doctor would be better able to discern where you mean.  My guess would be your Achilles but I could be wrong.

My advice would be to back off the running (or perhaps limit it to the flat).  You might have pulled or torn something due to a change in intensity, training surface, etc.
No don't run through the pain.  Pain is your body telling you something.  Don't opt for a brace, etc until you first know what the problem is and what you are treating.
It would make sense to get it seen to by a doctor.

You could also try posting on the Exercise and Fitness community forum.  A doctor also answers most posts there.

Good luck.