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Sports Medicine Myths Part 2: Stretching Prevents Injuries

Before you take to the basketball court or engage in an intense workout, chances are you stretch. After all, you have been taught by coaches, peers and even sports medicine doctors that stretching before sports activities or workout routines will prevent injury, but what if what you’ve always been told is wrong?

It may come as a surprise to you, but stretching done before, during or after a workout or sports activity could actually do you more harm than good. (more…)

What Exactly Are Shin Splints?

Leg pain is a fairly common occurrence for athletes—especially long distance runners. Running puts pressure on the joints, including the hips, knees and ankles, as well as on the feet and legs. Whenever pain develops in the lower legs it is often assumed to be shin splints, but shin splints are actually a specific problem that can develop in the shins, the bones that run along the front of the lower legs.

Shin splints are a sort of overuse injury that develop when inflammation builds up around the soft tissues of the lower leg. The injury can develop in two areas surrounding the shin. When they develop on the outer edge of the mid region of the leg, near the shinbone, they are called anterior shin splints. When they develop on the inside of the leg they are referred to as medial shin splints.

So, What Are Shin Splints?

There is some disagreement among experts as to what exactly causes shin splints to develop. The leading theories include:

  • Shin splints may be caused by small tears in muscle that has been pulled off the bone.
  • Inflammation in the tissue sheath that wraps around the shin bone.
  • Inflammation in the muscles surrounding the shin bone.

Many sport and exercise doctors believe that they are actually caused by a combination of several of these factors. What medical experts do agree on is that shin splints are unique to athletes, they are caused by regular physical activity, and whatever is the primary cause of the pain, the best way to treat shin splints seems to be clear.

Because they are caused by overuse, shin splints are pretty much reserved for regular athletes. They can happen to athletes of any age or expertise level, from youth soccer all the way to professional ball players.

Rest Is Best

Experts agree that the best way to treat shin splints is with a combination of rest, ice and stretching. It is recommended to stop running entirely when shin splints first develop, as they will grow worse over time. Secondly, ice the shins regularly to reduce inflammation in the legs. Doing basic Achilles stretches often helps to ease the pain of shin splints and stretch the muscles and tissues surrounding the shin bone.

If you are going to continue working out while struggling with shin splints, the best thing you can do is wrap the injury. Don’t wait too long before seeking the medical expertise of a sports medicine doctor. The sooner you can get treatment and address the pain, the sooner the pain of shin splints can go away.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Keeping Active Assists in Bone and Joint Health While Aging

A recent review of several scientific studies by the Department of Orthopaedics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University has found that being physically active can significantly improve not only musculoskeletal health, but also overall health and well-being as well as minimize the effects of aging on the joints and bones.

Their review focused on studies on athletes aged 65 years and older, and their findings suggest that people who stay active throughout middle age and older adulthood can defy the effects of aging on the bones and joints, at least to a certain degree. Particularly, physical activity shows several positive effects on maintaining muscle strength, bone density and ligament and tendon function, thus reducing the risk of orthopedic trauma and helping the body to stay strong and healthy. (more…)

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