I just started running this past weekend, and my poor shins are so sore!  What causes that, what fixes that and how long before they won't hurt from my runs?
204371
Read these articles about shin splints. There are simple treatments and preventative measures that you can take to avoid them\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/content/article/80/96441.htm\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_splints
109109
Rest and ice are the best things you can do to get rid of shin splints. Ice them for 15-20 minutes every four hours. The easiest way to ice them is to put a frozen gelpack against your shin and wrap an ace bandage around it.\n\nTwo things come to mind: your shoes and your running surfface. What kind of surface are you running on? If it's mostly sidewalk, try running on pavement/asphalt instead, if possible. Each time your feet hit the ground, the shock energy needs to go somewhere. Shoes do a large amount of shock absorbtion, so a good match to your foot and running style is pretty important. If you can add softer ground to the equation, it'll help minimize or alleviate your splints.
342260
This can just be a really sore muscle, or you pulled something. I've had this happen to me before too, and it hurt for around a week. If it's really, really starting to bug you, I would get it checked out by your doctor. You might have damaged something else.
324240
running is an impact sport though not as bad as boxing or contacts. Don't start off running 6-7 minutes straight. Instead only run for about 2-4 minutes, walk for a few -3 and run a little more again. Don't try to run a mile the first day out because you will hurt muscles that aren't used to running. Run a 1/4 mile, walk 1/4, run 1/4, walk 1/4. DO this for like 3 days a week for a week or two to build your resistance and muscle up. Afterwords, go to 1/2 run, 1/4 walk, 1/2 run, 1/4 walk. repeat this again for a week or 2. Don't add too much too soon becaue you'll make yourself prone to shin splints or stress fractures or ankle sprains or arch pains. Also, when you run, USE RUNNING SHOES. Not tennis shoes or basketball shoes. RUNNING SHOES. What kind depends on you but remember this, you get what you pay for with running shoes. when actually running, pace yourself and try to hit with the heal and roll the foot forward and kick off with teh toes and plant of foot. don't make your knees stiff either. Stand up straight and breath in through nose, exhale through mouth. breath in, three or four steps, breath out. Good Luck.
173218
Try this site:\n\nhttp://www.medicinenet.com/shin_splints/article.htm
329219
i know they cause knee problems so it'll probably cause shin splints too. wear tennis shoes, they're comfy & they don't hurt your feet
107146
I had shin splints while in the Navy. The onboard Doc\ntaped my shins up and iced them just like your already doing. You can strengthen them by walking, swimming, and rest them as much as possible, when at home. You can also reduce the impact by running on a softer surface ie; sand, grass, and by going hiking. Hiking on wooded trails keeps your muscles in shape but gets rid of the hard impact of the pavement. Also before you run take 800mg of ibuprofen they work the best for pain and take out alot of the swelling. You will need a prescription for them, any doc will give them up as they are non-narcotic. I know that they hurt like h*ll so I hope you feel better soon. :-]
35372
Hi,\n\nWhen you have bruises, do not kick shin to shin until you heal and even take it easy on the heavy bag.  Absolutely never bang anything against your shins either, like sticks, bottles, or metal pipes.  You will ruin your shins for life.  Thais only kicked soft banana trees back in the day, because they did not have money for proper bags.  Your shins will get stronger from a lot of kicking and nothing else. Thais on average kick over 500 times every day on each leg.\n\nIce will bring down the swelling and I think the thai linament works pretty well too.  You can see it here:  http://www.vutmuaythai.com/catalog.php?item=17&catid=Equipment&ret=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vutmuaythai.com%2Fcatalog.php%3Fpage%3D1%26category%3DEquipment\n\nMost good gyms will have this and you can also order it from Ringside.com\n\nLike any sport, when you are injured or banged up, just lay off it for a while.  And the more you kick, the stronger your shins will get and the less you will bruise or notice pain.  It is amazing when you train with someone kinda new and you clank shins pretty hard.  You'll reach a point where you will not feel it and they will be on the ground grabbing at the pain in their leg.\n\nSo, in short, lay off a bit when you feel pain, and kick, kick, and kick some more.  When you can rattle of 100 kicks with good form in a minute you'll be good to go.
73192
Are you running a lot?  Or exercising a lot?  Sounds like you're straining your muscles!  Take a break from the physical workout...and make sure to stretch before any exercise!
111697
Those are soooo painful and frustrating.  They may never go away completely.  All you can do is to rest, use lots of ice and stretch plenty before running.  I developed them a few years ago and they have not left yet.
63456
Running pain in the shin is commonly known as shin spints. There are three main causes: Stress fracture of the tibia, pulling of the muscle away from the tibia, and soreness from over use. \n\nUnless you are putting in hard milage on an unforgiving surface, I would guess that it's the third cause. It can be caused by running on hard surfaces and running hard on tight turns indoors. I've also seen it happen to people who have shoes that are too large. They curl their toes in an attempt to hold their shoes in place and that causes the muscle to tense up causing problems. Trying to hold your ankles in a fixed position can also cause it. \n\nHere is an exercize that you can try that may help: First you need a towel. Sit on a chair. Spread the towel on the floor. Place your feet so that your toes are on the towel, but your feet are on the floor. Pull the towel towards you by curling your toes. Try to move as much of the towel under your feet as you can, just by pulling it with your toes. (It's hard to do.)\n\n\nKnee problems can be caused by shoes that don't provide enough cushioning or don't have the right kind support for your running mechanics. If your ankles pronate (rotate in) or supinate (rotate out) on each stride, that force gets transmitted up to your knees. Wearing shoes that are right for your body mechanics could clear up the problem. You may have to have a gait analysis done.\n\nThere are a lot of stretches for your hamstrings. A common one is a modified hurdlers stretch. Sit on the ground, put the sole of one foot on the inside of the other thigh, keeping the other leg straight. Slowly stretch reaching for the toes of the straight leg.\n\nI always recommend Bob Anderson's stretching book. You may be able to find it in a local library. If not, it's on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0936070226\n\nThere's also a DVD based on the book.
198279
It is normal.  The back and forth motion, added to the starting and stopping, ends up working muscles that your body is not used to exercising.  Also, playing on a hard surface isn't the best for the calves & shins.  The more often you play, the less your calves should hurt.
35363
Rest. Sometimes taking it easy a day or two can help with recovery.\n\nApply ice if it gets very painful. This helps keep any inflamation down.\n \nPerform rehabilitation exercises (low-impact) regularly. Swimming and cycling are excellent activities for an individual with shin splints. Try to avoid excessive impact while recovering.\n\nWear shock absorbing insoles in shoes. This can prove helpful when getting back to a running routine if the shin splints still hurt.\n\nI know what you're going through...shin splints are a pain. x.x Hope these help.
578824
Yes, shin splints can cause permanent damage.  Having a doctor as a father a having done track and field, I know this to be true.  Sure there are ways to heal shin splints, like icing it and massaging, and stretching it.  However the best treatment is REST.  It'd true, no matter how much you ice it, it won't get better unless you rest it.  If you ignore the pain and keep running on them you WILL suffer permanent damage.  After running on this type of injury, if and when you ever heal, your legs will never be the same;you will never completely heal the bone and muscle tissue.  My advice is to rest: your shins will thank you later on in life.
447934
rest elevate ice. i deal with this day in day out. massage is great what i get my clients to do is get a golf ball and roll it down the leg next to the shin. it breaks up the scar tissue there. i would suggest to stop running until u get it better. it wont go away on its own
404571
you are most likely taking off to fast, slow down or walk until the pain subsides and then slowly build back up your speed. go to www.runnersworld.com they have a lot of tips and running programs for training.
632492
I used to have the same problem while I ran cross country. I went from running 2 mile races to 5 mile work outs to prepare for state championship. It took me a while to finally master it but, as long as you run two miles a day without stopping it will get easier and easier. Every day run a little bit more. Then, try speed walking for the next two miles for a "cool down". If this fails, doutful, than try jogging 4 miles VERY SLOWLY--- go at your own pace. Don't get fustrated if it hurts and takes a while. That is natural. Best wishes!