Shin splints. Please help!

[kourtney]

Hello! I have shin spints. They are so painful and I am not sure what to do. I do Zumba 2 or 3 times a week for the last 2 years. I have rested my leg for a few days when it hurts the most, but I'm not willing to give up my zumba. I have changed my sneakers and I do some stretching exersizes. Can I "wrap" my leg or something to get me through my work out??? Mineral ice?? Please give me some advice. I finally found exersize that I LOVE. I don't want to give it up.

[robmedina]

Re: Shin splints. Please help!

When I started running I got terrible shin splints- so much that it was painful to even walk. It took a few weeks but eventually the pain subsided and later that year I ran a marathon- give it the time it needs and you will be back doing what you love , pain free in no time.

[liv]

Re: Shin splints. Please help!

You are going to have to bite the bullet on this one. It takes weeks to heal.
And rest is the only thing that is going to help. So rest.

Mine took probably seven and I delayed by being silly enough to try using the legs before they were ready. The only thing I could do a few weeks in was bikes and I did that very careful.

[foxfire1977]

Re: Shin splints. Please help!

I don't know much about shin splints but agree with you whole heartedly about the love of ZUMBA nothing better in my opinion. Take it easy and hope this subsides for you!!

[Happy2BThin4Me]

Re: Shin splints. Please help!

Shin splints are common if you're exercising either too intensely or your shoes are not supportive enough OR if you're doing too much too soon and not building up gradually enough. I am using running terms for it but I am sure it would apply to Zumba as well. I used to get shin pain when I ran too hard, my shoes were getting worn out (I had my gait analyzed at a running store to get the right pair of shoes, but after 400-600 miles the insoles break down even if there's not much visible wear on the outside of the shoe) or if I had upped my mileage too fast (more than 10% increase than the week before). All I can say to help is to cut your usual routine in half for a few weeks and RICE (meaning Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) after each exercise session. A little advil might help too - it can reduce inflammation in the muscles. Sometimes after a race or intense training session, you can do a nice ice bath for 10-15 minutes (sit just your bottom half in a nice bath with ice cold water and maybe dump some ice in after you get in) if you can stand it and that will cut down your pain/inflammation too.

Let us know how it goes!

-Michelle