Merced Chiropractor

Over-Pronation, Sports, and Shin Splints

If you love to run or taking part in organized sports, you’re at risk for shin splints, painful knees, Achilles tendonitis, and other lower body injuries. Medial tibial stress syndrome, as it is referred to by the Mayo Clinic, is a pain that runs down the length of the shin bone and is caused by excessive stress on the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the lower leg. This stress can be caused by by running activities in any setting and can be aggravated by fallen arches and insufficient arch support.

Leading sports therapy experts suggest using ice, resting from running or sports, and using better shoes, preferably with the use of sports insoles. Icing the shin and supporting structures in the lower leg help relieve pain while lessening the amount of inflammation soon after an injury. Relaxation is always advised because it allows for the repair of tendons, muscles, and bones. Finally, wearing better shoes can dramatically help avoid reinjuring the lower legs and feet by providing proper cushioning and arch support. This promotes correct foot arrangement and absorbs shock. Sport insoles can significantly enhance endurance and performance because they offer arch support as well as extra cushioning. For people with flat feet, these special sports insoles lift the arch ideally and rebalance the legs.

Overpronation caused by fallen arches can cause more than just shin splints to occur. Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, knee, ankle, and low back pain, as well as Achilles tendonitis can all be brought on by fallen arches. If sports insoles are not used during demanding sports activities, reinjury and major foot pain can ensue. The mechanics involved in these injuries are related to the plantar fascia tendon, which is the central structure involved in the arch of the foot. It is a band-like structure that stretches to absorb the shock presented when the foot bears weight during activity. In people with fallen arches, this tendon is too long and has lost its elasticity. Its ability to absorb shock has disappeared. This condition also causes excess pronation 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 concentrated on one region rather than being uniformly distributed over the entire area of the foot. This is the reason why sport insoles can make all the difference in cases of fallen arches and other foot conditions; they provide stability and softness in the proper spots.