Chronic Shin Splints Can be Treated With Sports Insoles
Over-Pronation, Sports, and Shin Splints

If you enjoy running or participating in organized sports, you’re at risk for shin pain, knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, and other lower body injuries. Medial tibial stress syndrome, as it is referred to by the Mayo Clinic, is a pain that goes down the length of the shin bone and is caused by too much stress on the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the lower part of the leg. This stress can be caused by by running activities in any setting and can be aggravated by low arches and insufficient foot arch support.

Many sports therapists suggest using ice, resting from running or sports, and using more comfortable shoes, preferably in conjunction with sport orthotics. Putting ice on the shin and supporting structures of the lower leg help relieve pain while decreasing the amount of inflammation promptly after an injury. Rest is always recommended because it allows for the repair of tendons, muscles, and bones. Finally, wearing more comfortable shoes can radically help avoid reinjuring the lower legs and feet by providing better cushioning and arch support. This promotes proper foot arrangement and resists shock. Sports insoles can significantly enhance performance and endurance because they offer arch support and additional cushioning. For people with flat feet, these special sport orthotics lift the arch ideally and realign the legs.

Overpronation caused by low arches can cause more than just shin splints to occur. Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, ankle, knee, and lower back pain, as well as Achilles tendonitis can be attributed to low arches. If sport orthotics are not used during physically stressful sports activities, reinjury and serious foot issues can occur. The mechanics involved in these injuries are related to the plantar fascia tendon, which is the central structure that supports the arch of the foot. It is an elastic structure that lengthens to absorb the shock presented when the foot carries our body weight during sports activity. In people with low arches, this tendon is too long and has lost its elasticity. Its capacity to absorb shock has been severely diminished. This condition also causes overpronation of the foot, or the inclination for the ankles to roll toward the center of the body. As a result, the weight of the bdy is incorrectly focused on one place rather than being evenly distributed over the full area of the foot. This is how sports insoles can be of significant help in cases of low arches and other foot conditions; they provide stability and softness in the right places.