Home Remedies for Shin Splints



Shin splints can occur in the midst of an important training session or work out. It spells a long period of withdrawal from any physical activity. This can prove costly for sports persons or avid runners and dancers. A few home remedies could be tried out at home to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with shin splints.

  • Reach out for an ice bag. Applying ice on shin splints lowers the pain and inflammation of the bone tissues. You may rub the shin splints with a paper cup filled with ice. Alternatively, take some ice in a bag and wrap it in some cloth. Then strap this bag on to your lower limbs for around 20 minutes.
  • Short-term relief from pain can be brought in by a massage. Gently press out your tibial bone starting at its top, gradually working your way down.
  • Along with adequate rest for a couple of weeks and cessation of the vigorous physical activity, it helps to engage in some other kind of exercise. Exercises for shin splints should be of a mild nature and should not aggravate the existing condition.
  • Try out exercises like swimming or cycling that do not result in a pounding motion of the legs. Stationary exercises like training bicycles or elliptical training can also be done.
  • Stretch your muscles before beginning a workout, especially those of the calf and Achilles tendon. This goes a long way in warding off damage to the shinbone muscles.