17 Powerful Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Shin Splints
One moment you are jogging, working out, or maybe just exercising. And the next moment, you experience a sharp and unbearable pain shooting up your lower leg. Have you ever faced such a situation that left you wondering what went wrong? Well then, the answer is shin splints. Shin splints is a commonly used term for the pain that occurs in the front part of your lower leg. This condition, though painful, can be treated easily and effectively right at home. Are you looking for a little more information on this condition? Read on to find more about shin splints, the types, causes, symptoms, and some of the best home remedies to treat the condition.
Repeated stress to the shin bone may result in a small fracture. This fracture, which is an overuse injury, is referred to as stress fracture.
Table Of Contents:
What Are Shin Splints?
Shin splints are one of the most common exercise-related problems that cause severe pain in your shin bone – the large bone in your lower leg. Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, it is often a result of overworked muscles, tendons, and bone tissues of your shin bone. It is a common occurrence in athletes, but anybody is susceptible to it depending on the level of physical activity they are involved in.
The pain in your shin can also be due to the following reasons:
Repeated stress to the shin bone may result in a small fracture. This fracture, which is an overuse injury, is referred to as stress fracture.
Your lower leg is made of several muscle compartments, which can become inflamed due to overuse or direct impact injury. This condition is usually referred to as compartment syndrome, and it could also be one of the reasons for the pain in your shins.
You Will Need
A hot or cold compress
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every 4 hours, for about 5 days.
Why This Works
Both hot and cold compresses can help in alleviating the pain and inflammation caused by shin splints
2. Cherry Juice
You Will Need
1 glass of unsweetened cherry juice
What You Have To Do
Drink a glass of cherry juice.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this daily, especially before an intense workout session.
Why This Works
Cherries contain compounds called anthocyanins that exhibit antioxidant properties. They can also help reduce inflammation and hence, can be used for treating shin splints
3. Hot Tubs With Essential Oils
5. Ginger Root
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this multiple times a day (as required).
Why This Works
Ginger is quite popular for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the inflammation and swelling caused by shin splints. In addition to this, ginger also exhibits analgesic properties, which can give quick and effective relief from the pain.
6. Vitamin D
- Vitamin D exhibits some exceptional anti-inflammatory properties.
- A deficiency in this vitamin can make you susceptible to inflammation and swelling from injuries.
- Hence, it is recommended that you get the right amount of vitamin D daily.
- Try to consume foods rich in vitamin D such as tuna, mackerel, oranges, soy, cheese, and eggs.
- However, if you are planning to take additional supplements for this condition, you can do so after consulting your doctor.
7. Epsom Salt
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this at least thrice a week.
Why This Works
Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate the pain and inflammation caused by shin splints. It is mainly the magnesium in this salt that imparts the beneficial and analgesic activities to it.
8. Pickle Juice
You Will Need
1/3 cup of pickle juice
What You Have To Do
Consume pickle juice before or after any intense exercise or activity.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this juice once daily.
Why This Works
Pickle juice mainly consists of vinegar, and this makes it rich in potassium. Potassium has been used for years to combat cramps and inflammation of muscles . This makes pickle juice one of the best cost-effective treatments for shin splints.
9. Almonds
You Will Need
8 to 10 almonds
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this one to two times daily.
Why This Works
Almonds are natural antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in treating the inflammation and pain caused by shin splints
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar is mainly composed of acetic acid that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which can help it treat shin splints
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
You can follow this procedure 1 to 2 times a day.
Why This Works
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can be of great use in the treatment of shin splints
12. Pineapple
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
Why This Works
Pineapples have anti-inflammatory properties. This is mainly due to the presence of an enzyme called bromelain in them, which imparts some of the most beneficial properties to pineapples, including their analgesic nature . Thus, pineapples are also one of the best and effective ways to treat shin splints and its painful symptoms easily.
13. Valerian Root
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this 2 to 3 times daily.
Why This Works
Valerian is widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, this herb also exhibits analgesic and antispasmodic effects, which help the muscles of your shin to relax and reduce the pain
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this multiple times daily.
Why This Works
Coconut oil is a natural pain reliever, thanks to its analgesic properties. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and a combined effect of these activities can help you get rid of shin splints
15. Cayenne Pepper
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) contains certain compounds that exhibit analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in treating shin splints
16. Milk
You Will Need
1 glass of milk
What You Have To Do
Consume a glass of milk on a daily basis.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1 to 2 times a day.
Why This Works
Milk contains vitamin D that possesses anti-inflammatory properties. This can be used to treat the inflammation and swelling caused by shin splints and also accelerate your recovery. Additionally, milk also contains calcium, which is good for maintaining healthy bones
17. Bananas
You Will Need
1 to 2 bananas
What You Have To Do
Eat a banana or two daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume them on a daily basis.
Why This Works
Bananas are a rich source of potassium. Potassium, as discussed before, has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used to treat the muscle inflammation that occurs as a result of shin splints. In addition to this, bananas also have the potential to increase your energy levels during exercise
Although all these remedies are beneficial in the treatment of shin splints, taking some precautions will aid faster recovery. Following the tips given below, along with the remedies, can help you avoid the recurrence of the condition altogether.
Preventing Shin Splints
Including these
preventive tips in your daily regimen can prove to be of great help in
combating shin splints. However, if the pain that you experience is
intolerable, visit your doctor immediately to check for any serious injuries to
your shin. But if you are looking for a quick fix for a minor swelling or pain
around your shin, go ahead with the remedies mentioned here and tell us if they
worked for you by posting a comment below.
Comments