Conditions we treat
Shin Splints
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What is Shin Splints?
Shin splints, medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is inflammation of the muscles, tendons and tissue around the shin bone (tibia). It’s most common in runners and people who’ve suddenly increased how much, how hard, or on what surface they’re training — particularly a jump in volume the body hasn’t adapted to yet.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically include a dull, aching pain along the inner edge of the shin bone, worse at the start of activity and sometimes easing as you warm up, then returning afterward. In more advanced cases, pain can be present at rest.
Treatment
Treatment combines manual therapy and soft tissue release through the calf and shin muscles to reduce pain and tension, with taping or strapping for support during the early, more painful stage. Andrew will also review your training — load, footwear, running surface and technique are usually central to why shin splints developed, so managing these alongside hands-on treatment and a graded return-to-running programme is what prevents it from recurring.
Persistent shin pain that doesn’t improve with rest is also worth assessing to rule out a bone stress injury, which needs a different management approach.
How we treat it
Treatments used for shin splints
Manual TherapyManual therapy uses hands-on techniques — soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation and fascia distortion release — to ease pain, restore movement and speed recovery.
Exercise RehabilitationA structured, progressive exercise programme — tailored to your condition and stage of recovery — to rebuild strength, restore movement and prevent injuries recurring.Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between shin splints and a stress fracture?
Shin splints cause a dull, diffuse ache along the shin that typically eases as you warm up and returns afterward. A stress fracture causes more localised, sharper pain that's often present even at rest and worsens with continued loading — this distinction matters because the management is different, so persistent shin pain is worth assessing properly.
Can you run through shin splints?
It's not recommended to push through worsening pain, since continuing to overload the tissue can delay recovery or, in some cases, progress toward a bone stress injury. Andrew reviews your training and builds a graded return-to-running programme rather than stopping activity altogether.
How long do shin splints take to heal?
Most cases improve within a few weeks of appropriate treatment and load management, though this depends on how long the symptoms have been present and how quickly training is adjusted. Persistent pain that isn't improving with rest is worth assessing to rule out a bone stress injury.
What causes shin splints in runners?
Shin splints are usually driven by a sudden increase in training volume, intensity, or a change in running surface that the body hasn't adapted to yet. Andrew's treatment addresses both the current symptoms and the training factors — load, footwear, surface and technique — behind why they developed.
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