Uploaded May 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Psst. Wanna know a secret? Those painful shins you got from running are just going to get worst if you ignore them. Luckily, the solution is hiding in your tennis gear.
Shin splints - or to get medical: medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) - can be caused by a variety of things. The most common are spent running shoes (yep, those favourite shoes do have an expiration date - typically around the 500 km marker), shoes with poor support or high impact activities (even in good shoes). Sadly, they are also a common complaint of people who are new to running. Plus, anyone who runs heavily on their feet (especially sprinters) are the most prone to get shin spints but even hikers, walkers or dancers can develop this painful inflammation.
One of the most important things to remember on your road to recovery for shin splints is not to continue on with the action that caused them once they develop. 'No pain, no gain' does not apply to shin splints. And, of course, treat them early or, if you've had them in the past, before they can happen again.
Use this physio trick to fix the problem before shin splints stop you in your tracks. In this video, physiotherapist Jean Lewis shows us how using a simple tennis ball in just the right way, in just the right place, can alleviate the pain of shin splints. All in the comfort of your own home. If the issue persists; seek professional help.
Special thanks to Jean, Melina & the folks at Gastown Physio & Pilates in Vancouver, BC!
Psst. Wanna know a secret? Those painful shins you got from running are just going to get worst if you ignore them. Luckily, the solution is hiding in your tennis gear.
Shin splints - or to get medical: medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) - can be caused by a variety of things. The most common are spent running shoes (yep, those favourite shoes do have an expiration date - typically around the 500 km marker), shoes with poor support or high impact activities (even in good shoes). Sadly, they are also a common complaint of people who are new to running. Plus, anyone who runs heavily on their feet (especially sprinters) are the most prone to get shin spints but even hikers, walkers or dancers can develop this painful inflammation.
One of the most important things to remember on your road to recovery for shin splints is not to continue on with the action that caused them once they develop. 'No pain, no gain' does not apply to shin splints. And, of course, treat them early or, if you've had them in the past, before they can happen again.
Use this physio trick to fix the problem before shin splints stop you in your tracks. In this video, physiotherapist Jean Lewis shows us how using a simple tennis ball in just the right way, in just the right place, can alleviate the pain of shin splints. All in the comfort of your own home. If the issue persists; seek professional help.
Special thanks to Jean, Melina & the folks at Gastown Physio & Pilates in Vancouver, BC!
