SOMA Living October 2021

FROM THE DOCTOR Getting outdoors can be very fulfilling especially if you are a runner. What is not good is when you are on a run or are playing a sport and have pain in the area of your shin. Shin splints usually happen to distance runners but can be present with soccer and basketball. As your feet strike the ground repeatedly, the shins absorb a lot of shock that can damage your muscles, ligaments, and bone. The most common symptoms are pain and swollen shins. Should you happen to experience the pain in your shins it is best to rest and avoid any upright running activities. Shin splints are a more common problem than people realize. Some of the causes are from: Flat feet -- when the impact of a step makes your foot’s arch collapse (your doctor will call this overpronation), Shoes that don’t fit well or provide good support, Working out without warmup or cooldown stretches, Weak ankles, hips, or core muscles. So as we can see there are ways to help prevent shin splints from becoming more severe over time, however proper care should be taken in order to give you the best chances to avoid getting them. Strengthening exercises for your feet, ankles, calves, and hips can help you avoid shin splints. By strengthening your core muscles, you create a more stable base that can stay strong and support your body during long runs. It is always good to stretch properly prior to a run so the muscles are nice and loose and warm. In regards to healing and treatment studies have shown that shin splints may often heal on their own. In some cases you may receive a through exam with x-rays taken to make sure there are no fractures or any other issues that may cause compensations. Another way to get them to heal is with proper rest. Icing your shins to ease pain and swelling is another form of treatment to help decrease the inflammation. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone. Some people may use insoles or orthotics for your shoes. Shoe inserts -- which can be custom-made or bought off the shelf -- may help if your arches collapse or flatten when you stand up. In most cases shin splints are not permanent, however when they go away depends on the individual as in some cases they can go away in 3-6 months. A round of PT isn’t out of the question to help deal with shin splints. As was mentioned before, core strength and hip strength building will help to prevent further injury in your shins. A Physical Therapist will look at all aspects of the lower extremity in regards to strength and flexibility and they will even look at running form. Once the evaluation is over they will then devise a through plan of exercise and treatment to get you back in full form and injury free. South Orange Rehabilitation and Wellness takes your individual situation seriously and with our state of the art facility and three full time doctors of physical therapy there is no problem too big or too small. Call our team with your questions or concerns. WHAT ARE SHIN SPLINTS AND DO I HAVE THEM

Employment Engagement Program Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion” October 2021

Seeking Employer Partnerships to: Provide jobs * Establish volunteer opportu nities * Offer job training Ensuring that adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities have full access to employment. To learn more, email lfiore@jespy.org. www.jespy.org

Dr. Daniel Roig South Orange Rehab Wellness SouthOrangeRehab.com 973-761-0077

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