Shin Splints Essay

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Shin splints, also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, this is caused by the overuse or repetitive stress on of the shin area. When various stress reactions of the tibia and surrounding musculature occur, the body cannot heal properly due to the repetitive muscle contractions and tibial strain. This causes an increase of muscle demand over the front area of the tibia resulting in overuse. Shin splints are most commonly found in athletes who increase their duration and intensity of exercise, usually distance and anaerobic runners. To treat these symptoms and shin splints itself one may use RICE after exercising, stretching and strengthening exercises, or proprioceptive training. The most reliable/recommended method of treatment is RICE compared to stretching/strengthening, and therapy. RICE is an acronym for the healing procedure Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. For treating shin splints only rest, ice, and compression are only used, either separately or together. Rest is best for relieving stress to the tibia. This means no weight bearing exercising that could injure the legs any further. Ice is used for relieving the pain. Ice massages are recommended to cool the tibia, and to smooth the area of scar tissue created by shin splints. Compression is also be used for helping with severe cases of shin splints, ensuring that it does not get worse. The effectiveness in doing rest, ice, and compression, either separately or all together, is very high and should allow athletes to recover from shin splints at a much higher rate. Stretching and strengthening the legs for treatment should only be done after rest to prevent further strain on the tibia. Stretching and exercising is another great way to help strengthen tibia. In this, stretching and exercising the leg muscles, the muscle will be able to increase endurance, and prevent of muscle fatigue, thus preventing

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