Pain in right shin when exercising

[The Bad Guy]

I've been getting back into the exercise routine lately. I've been running on the treadmill and lifting 3-4 times per week. However, when I'm on the treadmill, regardless of if I'm running or walking, after about 5 minutes my right shin feels like it's going to explode.
It's really preventing me from doing the 2.5 miles I want every time.

I stretch myself out pretty well before running.

Does anyone have any tips to eliminate this pain?

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Silock

Okay, first things first:

Where did you get your shoes? Did you just go to Footlocker and buy something off the shelf? If so, you're doing yourself a MAJOR disservice. The first thing you need to do is go to a reputable running store. I don't know where you're from, but Metro Walk and Run here in KC does free video stride analysis by trained professionals for FREE. I cannot stress enough that simply buying a high quality shoe is not enough if it doesn't properly fit your running stride. If you need motion control shoes, it doesn't matter if you buy $1 million shoes, if they aren't motion control, they're not going to do you a bit of good.

Secondly, do you stretch? If not, I'd suggest 30 seconds per day, warm or cold. Just do it.

Third, does it only happen on the treadmill? Try the elliptical and see what happens. I used to have this problem. Thought it was shin splints, but shin splints go away over time; they don't get worse. I had compartment syndrome. To this day, I still can't run on the sidewalk or a treadmill. It's the constant pounding that aggravates it. So, I just stick to the elliptical and cycling. If I run, I do it on grass, which works just fine, thankfully, so I can continue playing soccer.

th^t first paragraph is what i was going to suggest, just didn't know if you had a facility like that in KC, as we have Peachtree Running Company, here in Atlanta. But yeah, chances are; you're either over or under pronating. Serious running (& 2.5 miles per day, is serious) require the RIGHT shoes.

[RedThat]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I've been getting back into the exercise routine lately. I've been running on the treadmill and lifting 3-4 times per week. However, when I'm on the treadmill, regardless of if I'm running or walking, after about 5 minutes my right shin feels like it's going to explode.
It's really preventing me from doing the 2.5 miles I want every time.

I stretch myself out pretty well before running.

Does anyone have any tips to eliminate this pain?

You could have shin splints. It sounds like it.

But if I were you, Id go see a physiotherapist and describe to him what exactly is going on in your lower leg. I think thats the right approach and your best bet. You want to find out what exactly you've been diagnosed with first, before you can proceed with any treatment.

If I were you, I would stop what Im doing, and get this thing treated first. I don't think it's a good idea for you to workout right now, don't put yourself at risk of making this injury progress worse than it actually is. Better to take time off, and heal yourself so that in the future you can come back to the gym healthy.

*Anybody could tell you this, even physiotherapists, the best remedy for injuries that are biomechanically related is rest. Rest, rest, and rest and keep icing your leg 3-4 times daily for about 15-20 minutes. I bet you'll notice a difference in a week or 2.

[Simply Red]

one last thing, here is the process our local outfit uses: http://tinyurl.com/yeq24fx
trust me it's not fluff, it'll help you get in a shoe which is virtually customized for you and your feet, shins & back will all approve..

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

one last thing, here is the process our local outfit uses: http://tinyurl.com/yeq24fx
trust me it's not fluff, it'll help your feet, shins & back.

That looks like one hell of a set up and a great idea.

[KCHawg]

Sounds like the dreaded "Swine HIV", the only known cure is anti-freeze.....

[Saulbadguy]

Exact same thing happens to me, but on the left leg.

[Redrum_69]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I've been getting back into the exercise routine lately. I've been running on the treadmill and lifting 3-4 times per week. However, when I'm on the treadmill, regardless of if I'm running or walking, after about 5 minutes my right shin feels like it's going to explode.
It's really preventing me from doing the 2.5 miles I want every time.

I stretch myself out pretty well before running.

Does anyone have any tips to eliminate this pain?

Since you came out of your mom, you prolly have AIDS. Best cure is a shotgun...

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Brooks (though not marketed, w/ the bigboys) are PHENOMENAL shoes.




Trust me, I know this stuff.

+1

Trust me, I'm Awesome.

[rageeumr]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

+1

Trust me, I'm Awesome.

I've had 5 pairs of Adrenaline GTSs and loved them all. Stayed pretty darn injury free as well. I kept reading good things about Asics GT series, so I bought a pair and had a stress fracture in my foot within the first 50 miles. Could have been a coincidence, but I'm going to stick with Brooks from now on.

I'll echo the point about getting properly fitted. I bought mine at Garry Gribbles. They don't have some crazy fitting process, they just watch you walk and jog and look at your pronation. Doesn't sound very scientific but it worked wonders for me!

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Does anyone have any tips to eliminate this pain?

Stop exercising.

[B_Ambuehl]

1. Get some orthotics- Custom made from a chiropractor are better but the cheap ones from wal-mart will work better than nothing.

2. Strengthen the tibialis anterior- This is the muscle on the front of your shin. You strengthen it by doing reverse calf raises. Stand on a ledge or stair and let your toes hang off the edge then raise the front of your foot towards your knee. Do a couple of sets per day as many reps as you can.

3. Stretch the calves, hip flexors, and hamstrings at least twice per day for 20-30 seconds.

4. Until the issue has died down a bit try to limit the impact stresses by cutting down on jogging and switching to incline walking, elliptical, cycling, stairclimber etc.

[Easy 6]

I know exactly what you're talking about BG, it doesnt sound like splints to me, splints feel like 1000's tiny needles. This sounds like a painful pressure, i've gotten the same thing many times doing any kind of long distance running, never seen a doc for it, but my self diagnosis was either cramping of that thin weak muscle up front or somehow blood was building up too much.

The longer you're steadily at it, it shouldnt bother you as much.

[The Bad Guy]

Thanks guys for the great advice. Lots of good info on here.

I ordered a calf compression brace that I'll wear to see how it is. I'm also going to try to get inserts for my shoes.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Brock

Take a hot bath and wrap a hot towel around your head.

Rub some patchouli oil on it and listen to some Kenny G., lol.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

one last thing, here is the process our local outfit uses: http://tinyurl.com/yeq24fx
trust me it's not fluff, it'll help your feet, shins & back.

I'm sure you know what you're talking about, but just a quick question.... Isn't the right shoe often in the eye of the beholder?

I remember buying a pair of Adidas running shoes on my own and I kept having all kinds of problems in my shin. Turns out that because I'm a heel-striker, I needed a shoe that had a strong bridge in the middle to sort of balance the shock sent every time my foot hit the ground.

Also, I know this has been mentioned before, but it's been my experience that a lot of runners who get shin splints are those who run on their heels. I'm one of the exceptions, I think. Runners who run on their toes tend to not get shin splints because they're not putting so much force into each stride. Am I right on that?

I feel like the best advice is go to a legit running store and have them analyze your shoe. They'll find a really good shoe for you based on your running style and I've rarely heard a case of a runner getting a really bad recommendation.