Shin splints are the result of tired or stiff calf muscles straining or pulling on tendons. Beginning runners are the most susceptible to shin splints because they tend to run in poor-fitting shoes and on hard surfaces, like concrete.

Symptoms are mainly pain in the shins at the start of the run or early morning. Once the muscles are loosened up, the pain often diminishes or even goes away entirely. Basic treatment includes icing the shins for about 15 minutes three or four times a day and resting. If things don’t improve in a week or so, see your physician.

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