Felias wrote:If you talking about shin splints, the only way I founf that helps is constant running on concrete. I do my 8 milers on concrete, with trainers(shite ones). If you talking about fatigue of the muscle in the shin then the only way to help that is stretching it, it heppens to me when wearing pro-boots, they make you lift the front of your toes up and this causes extreme fatigue because you not used to it. as for calfs, This happened to me until I grasped the basics and importance of stretching from my PTI, the hard way, I find stretching the calfs by leaning against a wall the best way, no probs!
Running on concrete?
With shin splints? How is that meant to help? By blasting the lads shins into oblivion, so that his stress fracture which will occour becomes his ONLY issue and hence shin splints a thing of the past?
f@#k me. if u have got shin splints (which is actually a term for a variety of leg problems/injuries according to my physio) - take rest, see the doc who may refer you to an NHS physio (free) or recommend a visit to a private one (prepare for hefty charges). Dont go running on concrete.
If you HAVE to run on the roads (like me) try and run on the road (tarmac) as it is marginally softer than concrete.
PJFT : 9.12
PRMC : 24th May... FAILED
Going back - sometime after Chrimbo
A few years ago in school i used to get shin splints alot, as in school i used to run alot, then i stopped, then i started again, then stopped, then started again, then stopped etc... for about 2 years. And i would only run on concrete like i do today now i'm 19. I'm only just getting fit again, but considering i can run 3 miles in the blistering heat i would say i'm fittish (after just getting out of an ankle injury), but the thing with me is i used to be VERY fit and could run this 6 mile circuit around the country roads around mine in 36 minutes 13 seconds, so i KNOW i can get to that fitness level again it only takes time.
I got shin splints a few years ago but i've never had them since, i guess the bone in my legs are stronger now than they where back then.
Felias wrote:If you talking about shin splints, the only way I founf that helps is constant running on concrete. I do my 8 milers on concrete, with trainers(shite ones).
No. Just no. No no no, ignore that completely. So, so wrong. In fact, that will give you worse splints and faster.
I would suggest going to see a physio / podiatrist to check you out. At the best they can permanently sort out bio-mechanical problems over a long term plan, and at the worst they can teach you some exercises in a single consult which can strengthen the muscles to make splints less painful.
EDIT: Most physios, even the good ones, don't show up on medical records unless you claim on medical insurance and so on. Having treatment for shin splints shouldn't disqualify you for service...whereas having such bad shin splints in training means a high chance of a medical discharge, so better to get treatment and get it sorted now!
Cool, thanks mate. TBH, I dis-regarded the bit about running on concrete!!!!! I will go see a physio / podiatrist then (which is better)? Should I be prepaired for a big bill then?!!
kevo66 wrote:Cool, thanks mate. TBH, I dis-regarded the bit about running on concrete!!!!! I will go see a physio / podiatrist then (which is better)? Should I be prepaired for a big bill then?!!
I couldn't say mate, depends on what's wrong with you! A podiatrist is a specialist doctor (feet), so will in most cases diagnose problem, then refer you to physio or such to fix it (unless it a rare case which needs surgery or such). A good physio should will be able to diagnose most problems themselves, in most cases far better than non-specialist doctors such as GPs, but be sure they are a good physio.
You can claim physio work on some medical insurance now, check yours. However, remember that if you claim it on insurance, it 100% will go on records which will be seen by military, if you are still worried about that. Otherwise the bill depends on how long or intensively you see them for. Like I said though, it is well worth going for even one consult session, even a few basic pointers showing the correct way to do things can help a huge amount.
PS If nobody you know can reccomend a good physio, my tip is what they can tell through talking to you / seeing you first time. Physio I am seeing managed to diagnose my problem which I was previously aware of, but hadn't paid much attention to, just from me telling her about what I though was a completely unrelated muscle injury. Similarly, my father saw a v good physio who spotted his problem just by watching him walk across the reception room!
Kevo66 speaking from running injury history and problems getting the right advice, this is the story:
1. GP: don't waste your time and cashola, although skilled at getting you to cough and looking in your eyes, (yes yes I see the problem, here is a prescription for general antibiotics...) they don't have the specific knowledge required to heal your lower leg. They will say, rest for 3-4 weeks, first 3 days Rest Ice Compression and Elevation, take anti-inflams, swim and no impact sports if you must excercise... If the problem continues come back and they will perscribe stronger pain killers and book youto get an x-ray. (SKIP THIS STAGE UNLESS YOU KNOW YOUR DOC IS A KEEN RUNNER OR A SPORTS DOC SPECIALIST.)
2. Go to your A&E for Xrays: Sounds like good sense to see what's wrong with your leg but no it's pointless. You will be waiting for ages in triage before your xray, and then ages to have the xray seen officially by a doc (usually a general student doc at that...) Although A&E is the cutting edge of training they are magnificent generalists and know the core componants of fracture medicine, often what's the problem is specialist for instance if it is stress fractures they won't show up on an x ray until up to 3+weeks after injury until Callus has formed.
3. See your orthopaedic Consultant: these are the top dogs in the hospital for your bone injuries. They are however arrogant and will more than likely shrug you off to their lackeys. If you insist they will see you. From my experience however they are unlikely to give a shit (they have golf in 1h after all) and will just look at the xrays. Can't see anything and tell you to rest for 3-4 weeks, first 3 days Rest Ice Compression and Elevation, take anti-inflams, swim and no impact sports if you must excercise... (see doctor entry)
4. Physio: Very nice people, love sport and are genuinely concerned about your inability to do the sport you love. New stretching and muscle excercies will be perscribed in addition to some on the spot therapy (massage, crushing cartilege, and general pain) Might work might not. Unfortunately at this stage you have a 30% chance of it working.
INSTEAD MY SOLUTION
0 Find a SPORTS PODIATRIST OR EVEN BETTER A RUNNING PODIATRIST
He will first listen to what exactly your injury comprises of, the injury history and thn trace the source (cause and effect relationship between the deficiency and the resulting injury), complete a physical biomechanical assessment. He may also look at factors such as stability, body posture and other musculoskeletal factors. He will take into account the type of sport and provide advice on stretching and strengthening exercises. At some stage he might require XRAYS or Bone Scans, but he will arrange for these at the hospital and you skip the A&E hassle. He may then reccomend physiotherapists, sports science specialists and sports masseurs, where each team member has his own area of expertise.
Bottom line: he will tell you exactly what your injury is, what is causing the injury, what it will take to get the injury permanantly fixed and who the person to see is in order to get you fixed.
It might cost you a bit of money but much less money than dicking around with 5 visits to a physio, or doc etc.
If you want to look for a podiatrist here is The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists in the UK website http://www.feetforlife.org/
They have a search facility which hunts you your nearest UK podiatrist. Make sure to ask if they specialised in Sports Podiatry or best Running Podiatry.
the hard way, I find stretching the calfs by leaning against a wall the best way, no probs!
