Shin Splints Stretches for Tennis Players

First of all, if you haven’t done so already, you should check out my previous post entitled ‘4 Tips to Avoid Getting Shin Splints‘ it will go pretty much hand in hand with this post…sorry, please read on!

Tennis is a sport where overuse injuries are common, and they are often highlighted by high profile stars such as Rafael Nadal who withdrew from Wimbledon in 2009 with tendinitis in his knees. Although not shin splints, tendinitis in the knees isn’t too dissimilar as they too are caused by persistent impact, however shin splints is also a condition that affects many tennis players and in this article we shall not only look at how to prevent them through stretching exercises but also learn how to get rid of shin splints completely.

What Exactly Are Shin Splints?

Shin splints, or to give them their proper name, medial tibial stress syndrome, is a painful condition affecting the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the lower leg, specifically those that run along the shin bone. Shin splints will usually develop after continuous and vigorous physical activity, such as playing a sport or running.

The main reason attributed to a flare up of shin splints is overuse, although this can be amplified by a poor technique. An investigation, and the resulting correction, into running or playing technique is one of the primary steps when trying to get rid of shin splints completely.

Improving technique can drastically reduce the intense pounding that the legs are subjected to when playing tennis, unfortunately though, the nature of the sport, with it’s constant need for quick bursts of speed and sudden braking coupled with constant changes of direction dictates that tennis players are extremely susceptible to getting shin splints.

Improvement to the general fitness and conditioning of tennis players, including technique will help to limit injury but even after all these issues are addressed the likelihood is that shin splints will occur at some point and generally at the most inopportune moments.

Shin Splint Stretches For Tennis Players That Will Help

More often than not, the best treatment for shin splints, once you already have them, is rest and the amount of rest required depends largely upon the severity of the condition. Anti-inflammatory medications will also assist in a quicker recovery time as will the regular application of ice packs and the use of stretching exercises for the lower leg.

Here are two very simple stretching exercises that will help prevent shin splints and improve blood flow to the affected areas when shin splints are already an issue.

1. Sit in a chair and place one leg out in front of you. Flex your toes so that they are pointing back towards you and then point them forwards away from you. Repeat this TEN times then do it again with the other leg.

2. Stand on a step or something similar with your heels hanging over the edge. Allow your heels to dip below the level of the step, you may have to slightly bend your knees to fully stretch out. Stand as high as you can on your toes, hold, and repeat. Again…as with the previous stretch, do this ten times.

Of course, these shin splints stretches for tennis players can be used by any sufferer of shin splints and not just tennis players.

Although stretching exercises, rest, icing do help initially, they are only a small part of the process of getting rid of shin splints, there are many other contributing factors, many hidden, and you can learn more about a 5 step treatment plan that is proven to get rid of shin splints for good if you CLICK HERE.

Have a great shin splints free day!

Danny

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Filed under: Stretches to Prevent Shin Splints

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