Shin splints is condition that normally effects runners, footballers and dancers. Common symptoms of shin splints include pain and tenderness along the inside of you shin bone, pain with running that reduces at rest, pain at the beginning of your run that can ease and in some cases swelling along shin bone.

Common causes of shins splints relate to an increase in running frequency or speed, a decrease in rest between runs and increase of repetitive jumping activities.

Generally it effects more females than males and you are at higher risk of developing shin splints if increase in training suddenly, train on hard surfaces and have reduced control of you pelvis and knee movements during activity. Pronation (linked to flat feet) is a normal finding for many people but if you have symptoms of shin splints it can be worth considering how this is contributing to your symptoms.

With physiotherapy an assessment of your running gait will be able to identify areas to develop that commonly involves strengthening and stretching exercises in specific areas. Physiotherapists will be able to provide cue’s on adjusting running styles and discuss a graded return with an individualised training programme.