Homeopathic Remedies for Shin Splints 

Shin splints is a term used to describe pain in front of the leg anywhere from ankle to knee along the tibia (shin) bone. Tibia is one among the two bones present in the lower leg and the other one is fibula. Tibia is a large bone that lies on the inner side of the leg while fibula is located on the outer side of the leg. Shin splints is one among the most common lower leg injuries. It is medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome. Homeopathic remedies for shin splints like Rhus Tox and Ruta give remarkable relief in pain and soreness of the legs.

Causes and Risk Factors 

Shin splints typically arise from repetitive stress (from heavy work out or exercise) on the shin bone and the tissues that attach the muscles to the shin bone. This is because repeated stress leads to muscle fatigue which can recover from taking rest from a strenuous workout routine. But if a person keeps continuing putting repeated stress then it doesn’t allow the muscles to self heal. As muscles are unable to absorb the impact of intense stress of physical activity the whole impact is put on connective tissue and tibia lying underneath. People who engage in intense physical activities and who are runners, athletes, dancers are at risk of it. The intense physical activity put intense stress and strain on the bone, muscles and tendons predisposing to shin splints. A person who begins an intense workout routine suddenly or increases the intensity and frequency of a previous exercise routine at once are also at its risk. People who don’t take proper rest between running and work out schedules are at risk because it doesn’t give recovery time to the body from muscle fatigue.

Another risk factor is running on hard surfaces like concrete or uneven surfaces, running uphill or downhill. Other risk factors includes having flat foot (in this the arches on the inside of  feet are flat and when a person with this put feet on ground the entire sole of feet touch the floor), being overweight, wearing the wrong type of shoes or worn out shoes that doesn’t provide proper support while running  or work out and tight calf muscles (these muscles lies in the back of the lower leg).

Symptoms 

A person having shin splints experiences pain along the inner side of the front of the lower leg. The pain is usually dull aching type but sometimes can become very sharp and intense. This area of pain may also be sore and tender. Sometimes little swelling in the lower leg may also appear. Initially the pain occurs or increases during exercise and is relieved by rest. But as the condition progresses the pain tends to become continuous.  In most of the cases shin splints arise in one leg but sometimes they can involve both the legs at the same time. In some cases the pain appears all of sudden when a person starts a new workout routine while in others the symptoms develop gradually over some period of time.

Sometimes stress fracture in tibia bone is a complication that can arise. The chances of stress fractures are more in females as compared to males. This is because the females are more at risk of low bone density and osteoporosis.

Homeopathic Remedies for Shin Splints 

Shin splints can be effectively treated with homeopathic medicines. There are numerous medicines in homeopathy that are well indicated for conditions like shin splints that follow extra stress and over straining of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments. These medicines taken well in time prevent further worsening of the condition and ensure great recovery in shin splint cases. These are safe and natural medicines that can be taken by people of any age group without any side effects.

1. Rhus Tox – Top Grade Medicine

Rhus Tox is a top listed medicine to manage various conditions that arise from repetitive stress and strain on muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints. In case of shin splints that arise from over stress on tibia  bone and its surrounding tissues, Rhus Tox remains very effective to manage pain in the leg. For using it the leg pain may be aching, drawing, tearing type. In some of the cases the pain can also be shooting, cutting type. In most cases needing it the pain gets worse at night and rest. There is a desire to move legs to get relief. 

2. Ruta – For Soreness in Leg along the Tibia Bone

This medicine is prepared from fresh plant Ruta graveolens having the common name garden rue. This plant belongs to family rutaceae. Like Rhus Tox, Ruta is also a leading medicine for complaints arising from extra stress on bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments. This medicine is considered in cases of shin splints when marked soreness is present in the leg along tibia bone. It is so sore as if it is beaten. Extreme soreness is felt on touch. Apart from above pain in the leg that worsens from stretching sometimes appears.

3. Causticum – For Pain in Lower Leg felt on Every Movement

This medicine is mainly considered in people who complain of pain in the lower leg with every movement. The pain can be tearing or boring. Other than this its use is also made for  drawing, bruised and stitching type of pain in legs. The legs are also sore to touch. With pain and soreness, swelling in legs may also be present.

4. Agaricus – For Dull or Drawing Pain in Leg 

This is very beneficial medicine for cases having dull or drawing pain in the leg along the tibia. Most people needing it have worsening of the leg pain from standing and also from sitting. They feel relief in pain from motion. Sometimes burning sensation is also felt in tibia along with pain.  

5. Mezereum – For Leg Pain along Tibia when Touch is Intolerable 

This medicine is prepared from plant daphne mezereum having the common name spurge olive. Fresh bark of this plant gathered just before the plant flowers in February and March is used to prepare homeopathic medicine. This plant belongs to family thymelaeaceae. This medicine is valuable for cases in which there is leg pain along tibia with intolerance to least touch. The pain is mostly worse at night time in bed. The pain is violent as if tibia is beaten. It can be pressive, severe, stitching, excruciating or drawing, tearing in nature. 

6. Nitric Acid – For Tearing Pain in Leg 

This medicine is very useful when there is tearing pain in the legs. This is most troublesome at night time. Legs also feels bruised with this. Soreness in the leg along the tibia bone is felt. Sometimes heaviness and weakness is experienced in the legs with above symptoms.

7. Dulcamara – For Leg Pain along Shin Bone at Rest

This medicine is prepared from plant solanum dulcamara commonly known as woody nightshade and bitter – sweet. For preparing homeopathic medicine fresh green stems and leaves of this plant gathered just before flowering are used. This plant belongs to family solanaceae. Dulcamara is helpful medicine for managing leg pain along shin bone felt at rest. The pain is intolerable. Person needing it must walk around to get relief. Sometimes swelling in the leg accompany leg pain.

8. Phosphoric Acid – When Leg Pain is Worse at Night

Phosphoric Acid is mainly indicated when there is pain in the leg at tibia in night time. The people needing it mainly have aching or tearing pain in tibia. They also complain of burning sensation in their legs along with this. Apart from above it is also a prominent medicine for decay (necrosis) of tibia bone especially on the right side.

9. Kali Bichrome – For Leg Pain over Shin Bone while Standing

Kali Bichrome is indicated for cases in which leg pain over shin bone appears while standing. The pain is tearing or violent. It can be attended with a burning sensation sometimes. There may also be swelling on shin bone along with tenderness to touch. It is also well indicated when pain appears in the leg specifically in the middle of the tibia bone.

10. Merc Sol – When Swelling over Tibia Attends Leg Pain

This medicine is significant to treat cases in which swelling over tibia arises along with leg pain. The pain can be pressing, boring, burning and drawing type. It’s also valuable for stitching pain in legs that arise from motion.

11. Carbolic Acid – For Sharp Pain in Shin Bone

Carbolic Acid is helpful for cases of sharp pain in shin bone. It is usually indicated for left sided shin pain. Sometimes pain is centred in the middle of the shin bone where it is required. Along with pain sore, bruised feeling in leg is also present

12. Anagallis – For Stitching Pain in Tibia

This medicine is prepared from plant Anagallis Arvensis also known as scarlet pimpernel and weather – glass. It belongs to family primulaceae. It is indicated for stitching pain in tibia bone. This gets worse from the motion of the leg or foot. This pain is also felt on crossing the legs.