Shins Splints.

I'm quite prone to getting shin splints, which sucks because I really enjoy the treadmill. Does anyone have any tips that will help prevent them?

better shoes or use the elliptical!!!

I can't walk or run due to shin splints and 2nd the elliptical advise or bike.  If its treadmill or notihng don't use the incline and get a good pair of shoes.  Ice the shins after working out and inverted calf raise stretches afterwards.

i second the shoe, get a foot assessment. really you have to wait till they are completely healed before you should walk far or run. ice and Ibu's. try to figure out what causes them i have had them twice i found that it was how i was lifting my foot.

Honestly I don't know if this is the right answer, but I've read somewhere to run heel toe, heel toe, rather than landing toes first.  Worked for me.  And I got good running shoes.

Make sure you stretch out really well before & after you run, as well as whenever you're bored. We underestimate the importance of stretching. I've had shin splints three times, and each time I recovered through lots of stretching & taking it easy for a while.

In addition to better shoes...

Build up slowly in mileage and speed.  It's important to build slowly to avoid various kinds of overuse injuries.

Don't run through shin splits. It's tempting, but don't. It won't get better til you rest.  Do other exercises that don't aggravate your shins.  Try cycling. 

I've been told that one good exercise is to hook some resistance around your toes (a band, some fixed object, a partner) and try and lift your forefoot. This strengthens muscles that are weak in people who get shin splits.

I'm not advertising for them, but wonderful information.  Try the link below:

http://www.neovita.net/files/running_injuries .htm

 

If you go to their home page you can check out lots of foot/leg problems, symptoms, treatment, etc.

Larry (silverdeer)

You need to get good running shoes.  That will make all the difference in the world. 

I played soccer for 13 years and did crew for one, so shin splints were alwayys a part of my life. What I found most effective was a really good pair of running shoes, icing and stretching before and after running, and a tip one of my coaches told me::

When you get the chance, damp some of a bath or beach towel, and slowly try to curl up the towel only using your toes. Generally it will stretch out the areas most prone to when I had shin splints, but continue to ice :).

 Good Luck!

I played soccer for a couple of years, too, mjohnston, and that's where they started. I'll try icing my shins. I always stretch before and after.

You can prevent them by doing exercises at night. Take a dish towel and dampen it with water. Put it on the floor and then with your toes try to pick it up by scrunching your toes.