Shin splints
Shin splints are a common cause of pain along the front of the lower leg, often brought on by running, walking or sport. At Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North we treat shin splints with high-power laser therapy to reduce pain and stimulate healing, followed by targeted strengthening and support to take load off the area and prevent it returning. We also assess your lower limb biomechanics to find the underlying cause. Book a shin splints assessment today.
What are shin splints?
Shin splints are pain and tenderness along the shinbone, usually felt on the inner edge of the lower leg. The medical name is medial tibial stress syndrome.
They tend to develop when the muscles and tissue around the shin are overloaded, whether that is from a sudden increase in running or walking, training on hard surfaces, unsupportive footwear or the way your foot strikes the ground. The tissue that attaches to the shinbone becomes irritated and sore.
They are common in runners, walkers and anyone who has recently ramped up their activity, as well as people whose lower limb biomechanics place extra strain on the lower leg.
How it feels:
- Aching or tender pain along the inner shin
- Sore at the start of exercise and again afterwards
- Pain that eases with rest but returns when you get active
- Tenderness when you press along the shinbone
If it is left untreated it can get worse and, in some cases, lead to a stress fracture, so early treatment gives you the best results.
Signs, symptoms & when to see a podiatrist
Common signs:
- Aching or tender pain along the inner edge of the shin
- Pain that comes on with running, walking or sport
- Soreness at the start and end of activity
- Tenderness when you press along the shinbone
- Pain that settles with rest but keeps returning
See a podiatrist if:
- The pain has lasted more than a week or two
- It is affecting your walking, running or sport
- The pain is getting sharper or more focused in one spot
- It keeps returning whenever you are active
- You notice your feet roll inward or your shoes wear unevenly
If the pain becomes sharp and focused on one point of the bone it can be a sign of a stress fracture, which needs prompt assessment. Getting shin pain checked early means it is quicker to settle and far more effective.
How we treat shin splints at Aligna
We treat shin splints in two stages, settling the pain first and then addressing the cause so it does not return.
Stage 1: reduce pain and stimulate healing
We use high-power laser therapy to reduce inflammation and kickstart healing in the affected tissue from your very first visit.
Stage 2: offload and strengthen
Once the pain begins to settle, we focus on taking load off the lower leg and building strength through the foot, calf and lower limb. This helps the area recover and handle running, walking and sport again.
We also find the cause
Shin splints are often driven by the way your foot strikes the ground, tight calves or a sudden jump in activity. We assess your lower limb biomechanics and, where it is needed, we use custom orthotics to correct how your foot loads, take strain off the shin and stop the problem returning.
Our aim is to settle the pain, address the cause and get you back to activity safely.
Recovery & rehab
How long does it take?
- Mild cases: a few weeks
- Moderate or long-standing cases: several months
Recovery depends on the cause and how early it is treated, so sticking with your plan is what ultimately gets the result.
Why rehab matters
Rest alone often lets shin splints settle, but they tend to come straight back once you return to activity because the underlying cause has not been fixed. Strengthening, support and a gradual return to load are what stop them recurring.
How we help you stay pain-free:
- Strengthening through the foot, calf and lower limb
- A gradual, structured return to running or sport
- A lower limb biomechanics check to address the underlying cause
- Custom orthotics if you need extra support
- Advice on footwear, training surfaces and load management
If it is treated properly, most people get back to comfortable, pain-free activity. We are here to settle the pain, fix the cause and keep you moving.
Summary
Our goal is simple: to settle your shin pain and get you back to the things you enjoy, then keep you there.
At Aligna Podiatry we don’t just treat the sore shin. We find why the lower leg became overloaded in the first place, often in your lower limb biomechanics, and address the root cause so the problem doesn’t keep returning.
Your treatment plan is built around you, combining high-power laser therapy to reduce pain and stimulate healing with targeted strengthening and support that offloads the shin for the long term.
Whether you’re recovering from a recent flare-up or managing long-standing shin splints, we’re here to help you move well, stay active and get back to walking, running and sport with confidence.
Book your appointment in Balwyn North
Struggling with chronic heel pain, tendon pain or another stubborn injury? Our experienced team at Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North takes a holistic, whole-body approach to treating the foot, ankle and knee. We combine high-power laser therap, shockwave therapy with hands-on care, cupping and rehab to reduce pain and restore alignment and movement. Contact our Balwyn North clinic today to book an assessment and find out which treatment is right for you.