Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome or MTSS, shin splints show up as a dull aching pain in the shin. Although it feels like the bone, it’s actually inflammation of the tibia (soft tissue around the muscle and the bone).
Shin splints are caused by excessive impact on the tibia. In other words, not enough cushioning on your landing. Old shoes, not enough arch support, running or walking on hard or uneven surfaces are the culprits.
You can get temporary relief by using kinesio tape (KT or Rock Tape); this will pull the skin away from the muscle to allow more blood flow to the inflammation. Compression socks or sleeves (CEP) will hold the muscle to close to the bone to minimize the movement between them as well as warm the muscle and promote blood flow. Icing after activity also helps. Tart Cherry juice is also an anti-inflammatory and an amazing remedy that could help.
Since cushioning and arch support are the issues, a high cushion shoe with an arch support insert is your best remedy to the problem. A favorite shoe of many local runners is the minimalistic with cushion.
