Shin splints can be a painful repetitive stress injury. One of the most effective ways to manage the pain is to get a shin splints massage. Even if one is going to start doing rehab on the lower leg to prevent the injury, getting a massage may still be a great idea. The reason is due to the nature of shin splints a lot of the muscles in the lower leg will be tight. A shin splints massage will help them to loosen up and reduce the chances of the injury returning later.
Benefits of Shin Splints Massage
The shin splints massage will hit two key areas. The first being the posterior tibialis which tend to get really sore when you have shin splints. The second place will be massaging the calves because they are often overworked and full of knots.
- Helps to release trigger points and knots
- Relieve tension for tight posterior tibialis
- Relive tension for overworked anterior tibialis
- Help loosen up tight calves muscle
- Improvement of foot function
- Remove toxins and improve blood flow to lower legs
The key to massage is understanding that our whole body is connected. When you have shin splints, it causes changes to the soleus, calves, posterior and anterior tibialis, as well as the feet. When you go to get a massage you are making sure that all of these areas are functioning properly because they are most likely tight. If they were working correctly, you would not have shin splints.
When doing rehab, it is vital that you still get massages because these muscles will get tight. Anytime you work a muscle a lot you risk it getting tight and changing how it functions. You see this happen all of the time when people bench too much but the same can happen with smaller lower leg muscles.
When Not to Massage Shin Splints
Sometimes it is just as important to know when NOT to do something. Sometimes doing nothing will leave you neutral whereas the wrong action can do more harm then you originally wanted or suspected.
If you have not had a few massages yourself, it is best that you do not massage your legs yourself. The reason is that you may not understand what a safe pressure is or what it should feel like, to begin with.
- If tibia is fractured or suspected to be
- Any open wounds are present
- Low pain tolerance
Shin Splints Massage On Your Own
The next question many people have is if they can massage their shins on their own. It can be done, but you will never do it as good as a professional can. Also, shin splint massages are painful so doing them on your own will only work if you can put yourself in pain without issue. If you are going to do it on your own here are some tips to be successful.
- The goal is to massage the muscle behind the shin, not the actual shin bone
- Massage towards the heart
- Use your thumb to get into the smaller places
- Use the base of your palm and your thumb for the calve muscles
- If sore the next day use less pressure next time
- If you feel the need to do more than one of these a week, it is time to go and see a professional
What If The Shin Splints Massage Is Not Working When You Do It?
Sometimes you can try on your own all you want, but a muscle is in pain because another area is not working or because it is protecting you. With the hips, for example, your back may be hurting because your psoas is doing too much work and it is also tight. The psoas may be doing too much work because your other hip flexors are not activating correctly. The chain reaction could keep going.
For the shins, your shin splints could be because of other factors like your feet, or your shoes. Nothing you do on your own will help until you fix some of those critical issues. Maybe when you do the massages on your own, you do not do them right.
Sometimes you need the help of a sports medicine provider. Sports medicine providers are used to working with athletes that need to get results quickly, to get back on the field. If you are not an athlete, I am sure that you still want quick results.
There are many different options you can go with when looking for a provider. You could get a chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist or many other options. The key is finding someone you trust and that you are excited to work with.
How to Find The Best Healthcare Providers for Shin Splints Massage
9INE POINT Health is the best place to find the health care providers you need for any injuries. It does not matter where you are hurting; a 9INE POINT Health provider will be able to get you healthy again. 9INE POINT allows you to find the best local providers and compare them quickly using the 9INE POINT Number.
If you have no idea what you need, but you know you need something, 9INE POINT Health is an injury guide, and you will get helped through the process. We make it easier for you to find the information and the person you are looking for.
Skills to Look for in a Healthcare Provider When Dealing with Shin Splints:
- Active Release Technique
- Graston Technique
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Fascial Stretch Therapy
- Corrective exercises
- Dry Needling
- Sports Background
- Functional Movement Screen
- And more
KHO Health was acquired by was acquire by 9INE POINT in the summer of 2019 and is now referred to as 9INE POINT Health.
9INE POINT Health was created by 9INE POINT in '19 as a means to provide athlete-driven resources to "Protect Athletes' Minds, Body and Belly". As well as be a platform for healthcare providers and other specialists to display their knowledge.
