Shin splints are responsible, says WebMD, for 13% of all running injuries.
They're also responsible for pain that can last several months. While shin splints are common among runners, other causes include tennis, basketball or any sport that involves frequent starts and stops.
At first you might feel some soreness around your shinbone or light swelling and tenderness in your lower leg. The pain might appear during exercise, afterwards, or it might be constant. No matter when you're affected by shin splints, massage can help.
TREATING SHIN PROBLEMS
Tight calf muscles are a common cause of shin splints, because they can increase the stress on your lower leg. So does repeated force on the connective tissues attaching your muscles to the shinbone, which can lead to inflammation. Over-pronation or "flat feet" caused by imbalanced muscles is another contributing factor, as are stress fractures or tiny breaks in your lower leg bones.
At Massage Envy franchised locations, professional therapists are experienced in massaging muscles that have developed these types of aches and pains. The first step is to help reduce the pain caused, which sometimes is related toswelling and inflammation, and your massage therapist will draw on a variety of techniques to address your particular situation.
TYPES OF THERAPY
Deep Tissue Massage is known for stretching muscles to release tension and tightness, providing deep pain relief, and helping prevent the buildup of scar tissue.
Relaxation Massage's light to medium pressure has been shown to improve circulation by moving lymphatic fluid, which can carry metabolic waste, away from muscles.
Sports Massage targets muscle-tendon junctions, typically reducing time needed for recovery after a workout and helping increase flexibility to give you the best chance of reducing the risk of injury.