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Do compression socks help with shin splints?

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In addition to well-fitting footwear, wearing specially designed sportswear can also help you to 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 that they are certainly 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?

The term “shin splint” refers to pain along the shin bone (the big 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.

do compression socks help shin splints

There are around 3 million reported cases of shin splints every year in the U.S. alone with shin splints accounting for between 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 are easily treatable with rest, icepacks and compression wear such as socks. Wearing the correct kind of footwear and adapting your workout program can also help to 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

If you have a lot of pain along the frontal lower leg area, it’s quite possible you have a shin splint. While there are reports of people suffering from shin splints while doing regular activities, most of the cases are in those that are involved in higher-impact pastimes. In fact, many pro athletes have suffered from shin splints at one time or another.

While considered a minor issue by some, if shin splints are not treated by a health professional, they can get much worse culminating in stress fractures so medical advice is strongly advised.

What Are The Causes of Shin Splints?

best compression socks for shin splints

  • Beginning a new workout/running program
  • Lack of warm-up and stretching before hard 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 shin splints can be worsened by low levels of Vitamin D and Calcium. Dr. Goglia suggests that “from the nutrition side, you should check your Vitamin D and calcium levels to make sure you are getting 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 that 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 you just play the occasional game of tennis with your friend, you must warm up properly before partaking in any kind of exercise. This warm-up should last for about 6 minutes. The implementation of a good warm-up will increase your strength, endurance, and flexibility, and it will be a good step toward preventing shin splints.

Ease into a new exercise regime gradually while slowly intensifying your physical activity. If you are in any doubt about 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 that are trained in the mechanics of the foot and can help you to choose the best shoes for shin splints.

And our final piece of advice If you are suffering from symptoms of shin splints is to try using a massage roller massage 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, have a quick 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 completely 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 properly warm up and warm down.

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. don’t overdo it! Increase your exercise routine slowly and if you experience any pain, reduce your exercise levels.

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.

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Zensah Tech+ Compression Socks, Black, Large

& Free shipping
Last update was on: March 24, 2023 5:35 pm

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 which does an awesome job of 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 useful 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

Last update was on: March 24, 2023 5:35 pm
$17.48 $29.99

They are filled with a special foam that gives amazing 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 gives both thermal compression and pain relief.

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 a great reputation for making compression socks for soldiers, nurses, sports fans, and basically anyone that suffers from shin splints.

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Physix Gear Compression Socks for Men & Women 20-30 mmhg, Best Graduated...

& Free shipping
Last update was on: March 24, 2023 5:35 pm
$20.15 $22.48

They have a graduated fit to please the runners among us and they 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 important 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 that they are among the best compression stockings available today, proving to be a very popular 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.

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