How to prevent shin splints with stretching – seated front stretch

Shin splints are an annoying and painful consequence for both seasoned and beginning or inconsistent athletes. The following describes one way to increase flexibility in the connective tissues that are affected by what is commonly referred to as shin splints.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A straight-back chair.

1. Sit in a chair with your back straight and your upper and lower legs at a 90 degree angle to one another.
2. Keeping your heel on the floor, raise the front of your foot toward your shins until the pull or stretch just begins to feel uncomfortable, however, you should not make it painful.
3. Hold your foot in this position for ten to fifteen seconds and then gently release it.
4. Repeat this exercise for a total of ten sets resting briefly between each set.
5. This should be a daily or at least a frequent exercise. As you find other stretches or exercises that help, you may want to rotate through the list of stretches doing a few different ones each day.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for additional exercises to increase flexibility and to build strength in the connective tissues affected by shin splints.
• Be sure to always consult your physician before self-medicating or self-treating a serious or chronic injury.