Running can be a fickle process. Often times we can find that groove and everything is going well. But like most athletic endeavors, injuries must be dealt with from time to time. One of the most aggravating injuries for runners is shin splints. If you tear your ACL or suffer a high-ankle sprain you know you will be spending some time with the trainer -- and on the couch. But shin splints are a nagging, come-and-go injury that frustrates even the most experienced runners. A lot of people think you can just run through the pain from shin splints, but they quickly find themselves like Ron Burgundy in Anchorman, telling themselves "I immediately regret this decision."
What are Shin Splints?
The Mayo Clinic says shin splints are medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome. The tibia is the large bone in your lower leg. When that area is subject to overuse, the muscles, tendons, and tissue become irritated and swollen. If you continue to exercise and leave shin splints untreated, the pain will likely worsen and you can possibly end up with a stress fracture.
How to Treat Shin Splints
The best way to treat shin splints -- or any injury -- is to see a doctor and get a full diagnosis. Shin splints can affect the actual bone as well as the tissue and muscle surrounding it. It's important to know what you are dealing with. But if you are in the early onset of shin splints, electric stimulus, foam rolling, stretching, and massage are all effective ways to treat the pain. Needless to say, your shin splints will heal faster if you rest from whatever activity has caused the pain.
How to Prevent Shin Splints
Prevention is always better than dealing with an injury. Runners World recommends that runners increase their calcium and vitamin D intakes to 1,300 milligrams of calcium and 400 micrograms of vitamin D per day. Compression socks are another way to help prevent shin splints. Nabee Socks feature the Nabee Comfort Blend, which will help limit swelling and irritation by decreasing the bounce and movement of the muscle and tissue surrounding the tibia. Compression socks also keep muscles warm and loose. If your muscles are not properly warmed you are much more likely to suffer an injury. Compression socks take care of that for you, and the compression increases blood flow to keep muscles loose. Wearing compression socks even when not exercising can help in the healing process.
Say Goodbye to Shin Splints
You don't have to deal with shin splints. In fact, say goodbye to shin splints forever by wearing Nabee Socks when you run. Wearing compression socks before you get shin splints is the best idea. You likely have specific running shoes and you probably didn't spare much expense when buying them. You did that because you value your feet and want to protect them. You should be doing the same with your sock purchases! Get yourself some Nabee Socks and take care of your feet and legs!
