The number one way to heal shin splints is to rest and not do any strenuous exercises. The shin pain is usually only present during weight bearing activities. The lower legs need time for the inflammation to go down, and if there are stress fractures they too need time to heal. Icing the shins also helps with swelling and inflammation and may also reduce the pain. Taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin helps pain and swelling. Physical therapy is recommended for people whose shin splints do not seem to go away. If a person heals fully before continuing to do strenuous exercises then he or she should have a very good prognosis and not get shin splints again as long as all the precautions are taken to keep the legs healthy. A person can tell if they are fully healed from shin splints by checking to see if the legs are fully flexible and at full strength again as well as being able to run without being in any pain. A doctor can also take follow up x-rays to make sure the stress fractures have properly
The number one way to heal shin splints is to rest and not do any strenuous exercises. The shin pain is usually only present during weight bearing activities. The lower legs need time for the inflammation to go down, and if there are stress fractures they too need time to heal. Icing the shins also helps with swelling and inflammation and may also reduce the pain. Taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin helps pain and swelling. Physical therapy is recommended for people whose shin splints do not seem to go away. If a person heals fully before continuing to do strenuous exercises then he or she should have a very good prognosis and not get shin splints again as long as all the precautions are taken to keep the legs healthy. A person can tell if they are fully healed from shin splints by checking to see if the legs are fully flexible and at full strength again as well as being able to run without being in any pain. A doctor can also take follow up x-rays to make sure the stress fractures have properly