The so-called "shin splints" is an old acquaintance of those who start running or decide to get too "excited" in training. The pain appears on the inside of the leg, along the tibia (the shin bone), and can range from mild discomfort to pain that prevents even comfortable walking.

Despite being very common, it is not normal to live with shin pain. It is a sign that the bones, muscles, and tendons in the region are being more demanded than they can support at that moment.

What are Shin Splints, after all?

The most precise medical term for shin splints is medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). It happens when there is repetitive overload on the tibia and the muscles that insert into it, generally associated with:

Repetitive impact of running
Rapid increase in mileage or intensity
Alignment and biomechanical factors

This overload generates inflammation and micro-lesions at the transition between muscle and bone, resulting in the characteristic pain along the inner edge of the shin.

Why do shin splints appear so frequently in runners?

Some factors repeat in the history of those who arrive with shin pain:

Too rapid increase in training volume

Going from sedentary to several running days per week
Doubling mileage all at once
Fitting in many races in a short time

Terrain and impact

Running only on hard asphalt, without variation
Many downhills or training on inclined terrain

Inadequate or worn footwear

Sneakers without adequate cushioning for your weight and foot strike type
Prolonged use of the same pair, far beyond its useful life

Muscle weakness and compensations

Weak calves
Weak hip and core muscles
Alteration of foot mechanics (e.g., excessive pronation)

Individual factors

History of previous shin splints
Reduced bone density
Other mechanical problems in knee, hip, or ankle

In summary: the body is saying that the load is greater than the support capacity at that moment.

What is the pain of shin splints like?

Some characteristics are very typical:

Pain in a band or at points along the inner edge of the tibia
Worsens during or after running, especially in longer or more intense workouts
Sensitivity to touch in the region
In more advanced cases, pain even when walking or standing for long periods

In initial phases, the pain may improve after warming up and return stronger later. If nothing is adjusted, it tends to progressively worsen.

When is shin pain a sign of something more serious?

Not all shin pain is "just" shin splints. In some cases, there may be progression to a stress fracture, which requires even greater care.

Warning signs that deserve medical evaluation:

Very localized pain, like an extremely sensitive spot
Pain that clearly worsens with impact and and eases at rest, but returns whenever attempting to run
Difficulty supporting weight on the foot or walking
History of very rapid load increase in a short time
Pain that does not improve even after a few weeks of rest and simple measures

In these cases, ideally the physical exam should be complemented with imaging (for example, MRI or scintigraphy, depending on clinical suspicion).

What is the evaluation at Intrador like?

In a shin splints evaluation, the goal is not just to "apply ice and tell you to stop running". The focus is to understand:

What your training routine is like (volume, intensity, terrain, frequency)
How long the pain has existed and how it behaves
What your musculature is like (calves, hip, core)
How you step and move during walking and, when possible, during running
If there is an association with other pains, such as knee, hip, or lower back

From this broader view, it is possible to set up a care plan that respects your reality and your running goals.

Shin splints treatment: what usually works

Treatment is not a "miracle drug", but rather a combination of several measures:

1. Adjustment of training load

Almost always it is necessary to:

Reduce or temporarily suspend running, depending on the severity
Substitute with lower-impact activities (such as bike, elliptical, swimming), when possible
Plan a gradual return, with slow and safe progression

Insisting on running with shin pain is the shortest path to making the condition chronic or progressing to a stress fracture.

2. Specific strengthening

Strengthening is a central part of recovery:

Exercises for calves (endurance and strength)
Hip and core strengthening to improve impact control
Ankle and hip mobility work, when necessary

This care helps increase the capacity of the tissues to support the impact of running.

3. Shock waves

<strong>Shock wave therapy</strong> is an important tool in some cases of more persistent shin splints. It acts, among other mechanisms, by:

Stimulating tissue regeneration
Modulating pain
Favoring reorganization of the affected region

It is a resource that should be indicated after careful evaluation, within a care plan that also includes load adjustments and strengthening.

4. Electroacupuncture and medical acupuncture

<strong>Medical acupuncture</strong>, including electroacupuncture, can assist in different stages by:

Relieving pain
Reducing local muscle tension
Helping to modulate inflammatory responses

At Intrador, acupuncture is used as part of integral care, considering the runner as a whole. It doesn't replace strengthening or load correction, but often makes the rehabilitation process more comfortable and favorable for adherence.

Is it possible to return to running after shin splints?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. The goal is for the runner to:

Treat the pain appropriately
Strengthen fragile points
Adjust volume, intensity, and type of training
Learn to recognize early signs before the pain returns

The return to running is usually structured in stages, with:

Absence of pain in daily activities
Walking without pain
Alternating between walking and light running
Gradual progression of time and intensity

With a well-conducted plan, many runners manage not only to return to running but also to learn to better respect the limits of their own bodies and build more sustainable workouts.

When to seek help?

It is worth scheduling an evaluation with a specialist if:

Shin pain persists for more than two or three weeks
You feel pain even when walking or standing
The pain worsens with each attempt to return to running
There is intense sensitivity at a specific point on the tibia
You have already tried "resting a bit" and it hasn't improved

The sooner the cause of the pain is clarified and the care plan is started, the greater the chances of full recovery and a safe return to running.

At Intrador, the goal is to help you understand what is happening to your body, treat the pain based on science and planning, and build conditions so that running continues to be a source of health — and not of suffering.

Schedule Your Evaluation

Return to running without pain. Our specialized team is ready to help you.

Shin Splints: What it is, Why it Appears, and How to Treat