The Truth Behind Shin Splints

Have you ever experienced an ache or pain along your shinbone while exercising? Then you may have previously experienced Shin Splints.

Shin Splints, known as Tibial Stress Syndrome, is the pain caused by the inflammation of the muscles, tendons and bone tissues around the tibia. This pain is felt anywhere along the shinbone from the knee to the ankle during or after exercise.  

Shin Splints are one of the most common injuries we’ve seen in runners who enter our practice. The repetitive stress on the shin from activities such as running or jumping, often leads to this injury being described as exercise-induced. Therefore, increasing your exercise load or capacity significantly will increase your risk of injury. 

The shin muscles play a significant role in maintaining the step and arch of the foot. Therefore, placing those with flat feet at a higher risk for injury. This can also be exhibited by wearing incorrect shoes while exercising. Shin Splints can become extremely painful and can impact your active lifestyle. Without the appropriate treatment, it can lead to the injury becoming worse and may result in a stress fracture. 

What symptoms should I look out for?  

Here are common signs and symptoms of Shin Splints. 

  • Aches and pains felt along the shinbone   
  • The overlying skin may be red and inflamed  
  • Tenderness or swelling in the lower leg   
  • Experiencing pain during exercise  

How can Physiotherapy help?  

At Progressive, we aim to bring you instant relief from your symptoms. Our physiotherapists use gentle, hands-on treatment to alleviate tension and soreness surrounding the shinbone. We focus on your long-term recovery by providing strategies to minimise and avoid the risk of injury from re-occurring. 

On your return to training, we provide you with tailored exercises and stretches to perform that warm up the muscles surrounding your shinbones and your lower limbs.  

If you are experiencing constant pain in your shins during exercise, stop and talk to our experienced physiotherapists. You can have the confidence knowing that our qualified and highly skilled physiotherapists will get to the source of your pain.

Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.

Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.

Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.

As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.

Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024. 

Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.

Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).

Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.

Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools. 

Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.

Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.

Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.

Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.

Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.

Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.

During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.

Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.