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In addition to well-fitting footwear, wearing specially designed sportswear can also help relieve the pain of shin splints. Compression socks work by adding another form of support for your lower legs.
So when your running buddies ask you, “Do compression socks help with shin splints” you can tell them they are worth a try!
By exerting pressure on the calves and shins, compression socks are designed to increase oxygen and blood flow to the parts of the leg that can suffer from shin splints. The increased blood circulation not only aids in pain relief but also improves muscle efficiency and endurance.
What is a Shin Splint?
“Shin splint” refers to pain along the shin bone (the prominent bone on the front of your lower leg). People with very active lifestyles, such as runners, athletes, dancers, and soldiers, often suffer from shin splints.
There are around 3 million reported shin splints yearly in the U.S. alone, accounting for 13 to 17 percent of all running-related injuries.
Known in the medical profession as “tibial stress syndrome,” shin splints are often seen in people that do rigorous exercise (such as jogging) and in those that drastically change up their training routines. A sudden increase in activity can overwork the tendons, muscles, and bone tissue.
The good news is that shin splints like socks are easily treatable with rest, ice packs, and compression wear. Wearing the correct footwear and adapting your workout program can also help prevent shin splints.
What are the Symptoms of Shin Splints?
People with shin splints have reported the following symptoms:
- An ache around the tibia bone (the front part of the lower leg)
- A pain that gets worse with exercise
- A pain on each side of the tibia
- Severe muscle pain
- Tenderness along the inner part of the lower leg
- Swelling of the lower leg
- Loss of feeling in the feet
You may have a shin splint if you have a lot of pain along the frontal lower leg area. While there are reports of people suffering from shin splints while doing regular activities, most cases are in those involved in higher-impact pastimes. Many pro athletes have suffered from shin splints at one time or another.
While considered a minor issue by some, if a health professional does not treat shin splints, they can get much worse, culminating in stress fractures, so medical advice is strongly advised.
What Are The Causes of Shin Splints?
- Beginning a new workout/running program
- Lack of warm-up and stretching before strenuous exercise
- Jerky and sudden movements, such as repeated stopping and starting
- Using incorrect form while exercising
- A sudden increase in the volume of exercise
- Participating in sports with a lot of jumping, such as basketball
- The wrong size or low-quality footwear
- Bad diet and not drinking enough water when exercising
Does Diet Affect Shin Splints?
Research suggests that low Vitamin D and Calcium levels can worsen shin splints. Dr. Goglia indicates that “from the nutrition side, you should check your Vitamin D and calcium levels to ensure you get adequate sources in your diet. Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Egg yolks and fortified cereals are other options, but sometimes a supplement of Vitamin D is recommended.”
A high-sodium diet can also increase the risk of inflammation, so lay off the salty snacks. Eating a healthy and balanced diet gives your muscles the nutrients they need to perform at their best. And don’t forget to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
How To Prevent Shin Splints
Whether you are an NBA basketball player or play the occasional game of tennis with your friend, you must warm up properly before partaking in any exercise. This warm-up should last for about 6 minutes. Implementing a good introduction will increase your strength, endurance, and flexibility and will be a good step toward preventing shin splints.
Ease into a new exercise regime gradually while slowly intensifying your physical activity. If you doubt your abilities, you should meet with your therapist or GP before starting a new exercise program.
Choose footwear with good arch support and enough cushioning to relieve pressure from your shin musculature. Most good sports stores have staff trained in foot mechanics and can help you choose the best shoes for shin splints.
And our final advice: If you suffer from shin splint symptoms, try using a massage roller for 5 or 6 minutes before starting your exercise.
Do Compression Socks Help Shin Splints?
Yes, they do, but if you are experiencing moderate to severe pain, chat with your doctor before taking any other action. Please don’t ignore any pain because your body is trying to tell you to alter your routine or maybe stop entirely for a while.
Don’t forget to stretch to warm down, too. This will minimize the risks of other injuries. Adopt a thorough dynamic stretching routine to warm up and warm down properly.
Avoid low nutritional value food, do your best to eat a balanced, nutritious diet, and drink plenty of water for better muscle performance.
And most importantly. Please don’t overdo it! Increase your exercise routine slowly, and reduce your exercise levels if you experience pain.
If all else fails, take some time to research the latest compression wear, such as compression socks for shin splints, which can be a great solution.
Best Compression Socks for Shin Splints
Zensah Compression Socks
These support socks for shin splints (compression socks) are our choice for the top spot because they have all of the benefits of compression socks without the problem of trying to squeeze your foot in and out of them.
Zensah L Tech+ Compression Socks, Black, Large (Men’s 10-12.5, Women’s 11.5-14)
- PREVENT INJURY AND ALLEVIATE SHIN SPLINTS: Compression helps stabilize muscles and provide support…
- SUPERIOR COMFORT: The compression socks feature a seamless toe, which prevents chafing and blisters….
- TRUE GRADUATED COMPRESSION: Graduated Compression means that there is the highest amount of…
Engineered to imitate leg-taping methods, the Zensah leg sleeves gently squeeze your lower leg and help your muscles faster. Runners and sufferers of shin splints love the no-slip cuff, which holds the sock in place no matter how quickly you run.
Happy customers love the seamless toe & anatomical fit, preventing blisters and chafing. Reviewers are also raving about the Zensah fabric, which is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and thermally regulating for maximum durability and muscle relief.
Available in neon pink, black, white, and electric blue, they are made from 82% Polyamide and 18% Elastane. They feature graduated compression for improved circulation, which means faster recovery, reduced fatigue, and better performance.
DonJoy Performance Anaform Shin Splint Sleeves
Compression is helpful to increase blood circulation and oxygenate the calf muscles. If you have the money, the DonJoy Performance Anaform Shin Splint Sleeves are probably the best compression socks available today.
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DonJoy Performance ANAFORM Shin Splint Compression Sleeve: Camo, X-Small
- Foam buttresses add pressure and help to relieve pain from shin splints
- Compression helps to increase circulation and oxygenation to the calf muscle
- Stretch webbing to accommodate a wide variety of ankle sizes
They are filled with a special foam that gives fantastic support and reduces pressure for shin splint sufferers. They are also designed to reduce healing time, too.
Shin splints tend to linger and take ages to heal sometimes. The neoprene sleeve with vertical foam buttress pads relieves thermal compression and pain.
These shin splint socks also have a stretch webbing ankle closure system which means that they are the most comfortable and best fitting, and the reinforced pull tabs make it easy to take them off and put them on.
Physix Gear Sport Compression Socks
Physix has an excellent reputation for making compression socks for soldiers, nurses, sports fans, and anyone that suffers from shin splints.
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Physix Gear Compression Socks for Men & Women 20-30 mmhg, Best Graduated Athletic Fit for Running Nurses Shin Splints Flight Travel & Maternity Pregnancy -Boost Stamina Circulation & Recovery GRY LXL
- Style And Confidence On Your Legs Finally! A Durable Compression Sock Designed To Last, Without…
- Because Pushing Yourself That Extra Mile Matters! Get Your Legs Properly Geared Up For Work, Play,…
- Take Your Game To The Next Level Comfortable Material And Careful Construction. No Stitches In…
They have a graduated fit to please the runners among us and are made from super-comfortable material. The clever engineers at Physix have also ensured that there is no stitching in places where it can cause discomfort to your legs.
The stay-put cuffs keep them in place on the bottom and sides of your foot, and there is no pinching seen as we have seen with similarly priced compression socks.
If breathability is an essential factor, you will love these stamina socks. They are the best choice for use in hot weather and are also suitable for extreme weather sports and long runs in the rain.
Physix makes some of the best lines of shin splints compression socks. Customers agree they are among the best compression stockings available today, proving a trendy choice for long-haul flights.
The Physix 20 – 30 mmHg sleeves absorb shock effectively and can help to reduce fatigue and swelling in your lower legs and are available in 9 cool colors.
Thanks for the image to https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shin_Splint_Syndrome.jpg, U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jhi L. Scott, and Jogging Couple by Ed Yourdon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
