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Writer's pictureChristopher nour

Keep your 'Shin' up. How to recover from shin splints

Updated: Mar 17, 2023



Shin splints are a common injury among athletes and active individuals, causing pain and discomfort in the front of the lower leg. If left untreated, shin splints can progress into a more serious injury, so it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Physiotherapy can play a crucial role in helping you recover from shin splints and get back to your normal activities. In this blog, we'll explore what shin splints are, the causes of shin splints, and how physiotherapy can help.

What are Shin Splints?

Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), is a condition that causes pain and discomfort along the shin bone (tibia). Shin splints are often the result of overuse or overtraining, and can occur in individuals who engage in repetitive impact activities, such as running, jumping, or hiking.

Causes of Shin Splints

Shin splints are often caused by a combination of factors, including overuse, overtraining, improper footwear, and a lack of warm-up or stretching. Other factors that can contribute to the development of shin splints include a flat arch, tight calf muscles, and weak ankle stability.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy can play a crucial role in helping you recover from shin splints and prevent future injuries. Our physiotherapists can help you manage the pain and swelling, improve your range of motion, and regain strength and stability in the affected area. They can also provide you with exercises to help you prevent future injuries.

One of the key components of physiotherapy for shin splints is the use of manual therapy techniques. This can include massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization to help reduce swelling and improve range of motion.

Another important aspect of physiotherapy is the use of exercises to help you regain strength and stability in the affected area. Your physiotherapist can prescribe specific exercises that target the muscles and tendons involved in the injury. These exercises will help you regain normal function and prevent future injuries.

In addition to these manual therapy techniques and exercises, your physiotherapist may also use modalities such as heat or ice therapy, shockwave, and electrical stimulation to help manage pain and swelling.

Prevention is Key

In addition to treatment, it's also important to take steps to prevent future injuries. our physiotherapists can provide you with tips and strategies to help you prevent shin splints, such as wearing proper footwear, incorporating stretching and strengthening exercises into your routine, and gradually increasing your physical activity.


Shin splints can be painful and debilitating, but with the help of physiotherapy, you can make a full recovery. A physiotherapist can help you manage the pain and swelling, improve your range of motion, and regain strength and stability in the affected area. If you have a calf injury, don't wait to seek treatment. Contact our amazing physiotherapists today to start your journey to recovery.

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