Do compression socks help treat shin splints?

If you are a highly active individual, you may sometimes overuse parts of your body. This can lead to health issues. In serious cases of injury, sports rehabilitation can help on your path to recovery. If your lower legs are overworked, you can end up with shin splints. Shin splints are characterized by irritation and pain around the front of the lower legs. With shin splints, these symptoms are a result of microtears in the shinbone and surrounding tissue.

Searching for shin splint treatment options can yield a range of potential solutions. Discerning which ones are most effective can be difficult. You may wonder, for example, if wearing compression socks can help shin splints. To discover if this option is effective, it can be helpful to compare it with other treatment techniques.

Compression socks

Compression socks are a particular type of tight-fitting sock designed to improve circulation. These socks come in different sizes for different situations. The sock material can apply pressure to the legs, ankles and feet. To address a shin splint, long compression socks may be suitable. By applying pressure and improving circulation, compression socks can also reduce any swelling that may arise as a result of the shin splints. In addition to different sizes, compression socks can also come in different styles and pressure levels. Some provide more support than others.

Understanding how compression socks are intended to work can be helpful, but it does not necessarily answer one of the most important questions: Do compression socks help treat shin splints? The answer might be surprising. Though compression socks are sometimes recommended as a treatment for shin splints, there is limited evidence to support their efficacy. Compression socks do not necessarily help shin splints. The compression socks may provide some relief, but they are not guaranteed to work for everyone. For best results, compression socks can be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Other treatment options for shin splints

If you are suffering from shin splints, there are a variety of other treatment options available. These solutions may be able to do more than compression socks alone to help treat shin splints.

• Rest — Since shin splints are caused by overuse, resting can help balance your routine. Taking frequent breaks from physical activity can help alleviate symptoms and prevent future injuries. Wearing compression socks while resting can do a lot to help treat shin splints.
• Hot and cold therapy — A physical therapy specialist may recommend hot and cold therapy as a supplementary treatment for shin splints. Using heat and cold on your tissue can help relax muscles and reduce inflammation. These techniques can be used at home or between clinic visits. This makes it a convenient option for recovery.
• Physical therapy — Physical therapy can be a great way to recover from shin splints. Working with a physical therapy specialist can help you to alleviate symptoms while identifying and addressing any underlying factors that could contribute to future injury. Physical therapy is designed to provide immediate assistance while preventing future issues from occurring.

Top physical therapy techniques for shin splints

• Active Release Techniques® — One physical therapy option that can be highly successful is Active Release Techniques (ART). ART combines manual therapy with specific body movements to help provide relief and prevent further injury. For severe cases of shin splints, ART can be helpful for breaking up scar tissue and promoting healing. If you are having trouble finding a successful solution, ART can help address shin splints when compression socks do not.
• Cupping — Cupping is a physical therapy technique that promotes circulation. Using suction, cupping is intended to increase blood flow to improve healing and reduce inflammation. This can also help reduce pain. Cupping may not always be the right choice for shin splints. However, it may be able to loosen up the tissue around your shinbone and alleviate pain. To determine whether cupping is right for you, it is important to discuss your treatment plan with a physical therapy specialist.
• Graston Technique® — The Graston Technique is a form of physical therapy where soft tissue is manipulated with innovative steel instruments. By mobilizing tissue, this technique can break down scar tissue and promote healing around your shinbone. This can speed up the recovery process and get you back into action sooner.

Arrow Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation can help treat your shin splints

If compression socks do not help treat your shin splints sufficiently, physical therapy can be a highly effective option. At Arrow Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, our team of expert physical therapy specialists wants to help you. Arrow PTR is an award-winning practice because our goal is to go above and beyond in service of our patients and their needs.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment for your shin splints.