Shin splints refers to the pain felt along the shinbone or tibia bone. The pain is caused by an inflammation of the muscles, bone tissue and tendons surrounding the tibia, and generally occurs after repetitive motion and impact during exercise.
Runners and dancers are at a high risk of developing shin splints, though anyone may be diagnosed with the condition. Changes to physical activity, such as spending longer exercising, having flat feet or working out in worn-out footwear, can also contribute to the development of shin splints. If you suffer from osteoporosis or are a smoker, your risk of shin splints is also higher.
If you’re experiencing pain, swelling or tenderness along the tibia; pain at the start of exercise which gets worse as you continue; or redness over the shin, you may be suffering from shin splints, and your next step should be to get the right treatment for it.
How sports massage can help to manage shin splints
Many people describe the pain of shin splints as an aching feeling, whilst others describe it as sharp and localised. Any sort of body pain, if left untreated, can become a bigger issue in the future, and shin splint pain can last for months, if not years, if left untreated.
Thankfully, sports massage can help with managing the pain of shin splints. By targeting muscle and tendon junctions, this style of massage can reduce the amount of time needed for recovery and helps to increase flexibility. Sports massage is designed specifically for people who exercise, and treatment is performed by qualified massage therapists who know which muscles to target for different sports and activities.
For professional athletes or exercise lovers, shin splints could have you out of action for some time without treatment. Massage helps to reduce recovery time to make sure you’re on your feet and ready to get back into exercise sooner. Massage can also help to prevent injury in the future, which is a big reason why preventative sports massages are increasing in popularity.
It’s important to know that a sports massage differs from a massage used for relaxation, and in some cases the treatment may feel uncomfortable or strenuous. This is because sports massage is used to actively strengthen tight muscles and work on inactive muscles around an injury. Sports massage may use different techniques from a variety of other massage treatments, such as remedial massage or deep tissue massage. Your massage therapist will assist you with coming up with the best treatment option and how often you need to have a massage for managing shin splints.
How to find the right sports massage therapist for your shin splints
Finding the right sports massage therapist for your shin splints is important for your ongoing training and injury prevention as an athlete. As not all massages are created equally, finding a therapist who has extensive experience and training in sports massage is crucial to ensuring you’re back on your feet and not suffering from any pain sooner.
Having a list of questions prepared for your potential new therapist is a great way to make sure you’re on the same page about treatment and expectations. A good massage therapist will be able to discuss your treatment plan options and create a plan that works for you and your shin splints. It’s important to discuss with your therapist any past injuries you may have sustained, what activities you regularly participate in, and what may have been likely to cause your shin splints.
Keeping open communication with your massage therapist is important to ensure you get the best care, and to help you decide whether you can work together to manage your injury or preventative care needs.
Using sports massage for shin splint recovery
Shin splints is an injury that should be taken seriously and be attended to by a certified massage therapist, such as those with qualifications from Discover Massage Australia. Providing high quality, industry recognised, and informative courses, Discover Massage has a wide range of courses for future therapists to study and join the ranks of the highest regarded massage therapists throughout the country. Your body deserves the best care, and Discover Massage Australia is dedicated to providing the best training for therapists to provide that care.
