Shin Splints Treatment – How To Alleviate The Pain

Shin splints are a result of sudden extreme exercises. People who abruptly increase the level of their workouts before conditioning the muscles can suffer shin splints when the muscles are stretched out too much. It can be a very painful condition therefore it is necessary to apply treatments at once. Here are some of the functional ways on how you can alleviate the pain.
Before anything else, you will need to find out the cause of the shin splint. There are many ways to do this. First, you need to stop doing physical activities for the mean time. You need to stop dancing or going to the gym because this may aggravate the situation. Second, you should check your footwear. Some shoes may not be suitable for you and your running. You always have to make sure that the shoes you use are appropriate for your size. You also have to make sure that they are durable and they can give support for the body. If you are practicing a dance or if you are jogging, then you have to examine the area where you do these activities. Make sure that the floor is level and is not rough. It will also be advisable not to practice on cemented roads or surfaces because they are very hard for the feet. Provide a cushion or practice on land to avoid shin splints. 
How do you treat shin splints? Most people use ice packs and put them on the injured area for at least 20 minutes each time. After 20 minutes, you need to let your feet rest for about an hour before you apply the next ice pack. You can also try massaging the affected area in order to condition the muscles and avoid unnecessary swelling. This process will also alleviate the pain as the muscles are being treated. You can also consult your doctor for medications. Normally, pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications work best for shin splints as they remove the feeling of pain for a certain period of time. Considerable amount of rest is necessary to heal the condition completely. 
Once your shin splint has almost recovered, the next thing you need to do is to go back to your exercise routines gradually. You should not overwork your feet as it may become shocked and the pain may come back. Always remember to do warm up exercises before jogging or dancing. Stretching will be a good way to condition the muscles for any vigorous movements. It will also be advisable to provide proper support to your shin splints. You can do this by wrapping them in medical bandages. You should also listen to your body. Once you feel that the pain is coming back, the best thing to do is to stop whatever you are doing and take a rest. Trying to push your body to walk or jog will just worsen the pain and the injury. You can also try doing different types of routines once in a while. For instance, if your routine only involves running and skipping, then you can try adding some sports such as swimming or cycling next time. This way, your shin splints will not be too worked-up from all the running.