Condition
Shin splints: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to shin splints — shin-bone pain from overload and how it settles.
- Ankle & Foot
Quick answer
Shin splints cause pain along the inner shin bone, usually from a rapid increase in running or impact activity. Most cases settle with load management and a graded return to activity, alongside strengthening.
Key facts
- Shin splints cause pain along the inner shin bone.
- They usually follow a sudden increase in training load.
- Load management and a graded return are central to recovery.
What are shin splints?
Shin splints are pain along the inner edge of the shin bone from overloading the muscles and tissues attached to it.
The medical term is medial tibial stress syndrome. It is common in runners and athletes who increase training too quickly, and reflects tissue overload.
What are the symptoms of shin splints?
Typical symptoms are aching pain along the inner shin, worse during and after activity.
- Aching or tenderness along the inner shin
- Pain that comes on with running or impact
- Pain that eases with rest early on, becoming more persistent if ignored
- Tenderness over a broad area of the shin
How are shin splints treated?
Shin splints are treated with load management, a graded return to activity, and strengthening, plus a review of footwear and training.
Reducing aggravating impact while gradually rebuilding capacity is central. Persistent, focal shin pain should be assessed to rule out a stress fracture.
At Postura Wellness, care for shin splints is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Sharp, focal pain on a small area of the shin, pain at rest or at night, or pain that worsens despite rest may suggest a stress fracture and should be assessed.
Get a clear plan for your shin splints
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Injuries and Wounds — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Sports Injuries — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Bone Diseases — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Muscle and Bone Diseases — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Joint Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine