Running Injury Treatment - Spokane, WA
Reviewed By: Stephen Byers, DC CSCS
SHIN SPLINTS--IT'S NOT JUST A SHIN PROBLEM
Shin Splints are one of the most common running injuries we treat at the Movement Clinic. Understanding what's driving the problem is the first step to getting back to running.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Pain that follows you on every run
"I get an aching pain along my shins that gets worse the longer I run."
"It's tender to the touch along the inside of my shin bone."
"I tried compression sleeves and ice, and it keeps coming back."
"It hurts when I start, gets a little better, then comes back hard."
"It started after I increased my mileage."
"Walking is mostly fine, but running flares it up every time."
Why It Happens
Two patterns we see in almost every runner with shin splints
POOR LANDING MECHANICS
When a runner lands too hard or with too much impact, the muscles along the shin bone (especially the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior) absorb more force than they're built for. Over miles, this repeated overload irritates the muscles where they attach to the bone — producing the classic shin pain pattern.
OVERSTRIDING
Overstriding happens when the foot lands too far in front of the body. This causes the heel to hit the ground first and the toe to slap down toward the ground. With each step, this dramatically increasing the load on the shin and the muscles surrounding it. Over time, that repeated impact becomes the driver of pain.
What's Driving It
The physical reasons these patterns develop
Running mechanics don't happen in isolation. They're usually the body's way of working around a physical limitation. When we evaluate runners with shin splints, we commonly find one or more of these:
POOR SINGLE LEG STANCE
Runners who can't balance well on one leg can't maintain alignment during landing. Each step becomes a small loss of control, and the shin absorbs the slack.
POOR HIP ACTIVATION
Your hip stabilizers are what control the leg from above. When they're weak or not firing properly, the lower leg has to work harder to manage landing — and the shin takes the load.
FOOTWEAR OR SURFACE CHANGES
A switch from a softer to a harder surface — or from a more cushioned shoe to a minimalist one — can change the impact your shin absorbs with every step. When the change happens too fast, shin splints often follow.
LIMITED ANKLE MOBILITY
Restricted ankle dorsiflexion forces the lower leg to compensate by collapsing inward, overstriding, or absorbing more impact than it should. All three patterns increase stress on the shin.
​TRAINING LOAD ERRORS
Shin splints rarely show up on rest weeks. They usually appear after a sudden mileage jump, added hill work, or new speed sessions. The shin gets loaded faster than it can adapt.
POOR RECOVERY BETWEEN RUNS
Small irritations accumulate. Without consistent recovery work between runs, the shin stays loaded — turning a manageable issue into chronic shin pain.
Our Approach
How we evaluate shin splints at the Movement Clinic
Most shin splint treatment starts with the symptom. We start with the movement--because that's where the answer usually is.
01
FULL MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT
We assess basic mobility, stability, and movement patterns across your whole body--not just your shins. This reveals any physical limitations which may be contributing to the problem, not just where it hurts.
02
RUNNING-SPECIFIC BIOMECHANICAL TESTING
We assess your strength, power and running mechanics to see how your physical limitations connect to your running pattern. Understanding whether pain is coming from physical restrictions, running mechanics, or both shapes everything that comes next.
03
SPORTS CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Targeted adjustments restore motion to stiff joints and reduce irritation to the affected areas of the body. Soft-tissue treatments help loosen muscles and reduce pain.
04
RUNNING-SPECIFIC REHABILITATION
We use exercises to help you learn how to use the areas of your body that have been too locked up to work properly. We work to strengthen those muscles so you don't end up back where you started again.
05
RETURN TO RUN PLANNING
We use our Rock your Run training guide to help you understand how to warm-up, train between runs, and manage load so you can keep running--not just recover from it.
​Learn more about our Rock Your Run Recovery Care Program
Common Question
Should you stop running if your shins hurts?
Some initial rest is helpful when shin pain first appears, especially if it's stopping you mid-run or staying painful after you've stopped. Once treatment is underway, most runners are able to resume running during the rehabilitation process — often with adjustments to mileage, terrain, or pace.
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Pain lasting more than 1-2 weeks, recurring flare-ups, or shin pain that's affecting your distance or consistency are all signs it's worth getting assessed sooner rather than later. Shin splints rarely resolve on their own without addressing the underlying pattern driving them — and ignoring them can sometimes lead to a stress fracture, which is a much longer recovery.
What to Expect
Realistic recovery timelines
Every runner is different, but here's what we typically see based on the nature of the issue.
6-8 VISITS
Acute Flare-up
Recent onset, first-time issue. Fast response with the right treatment and activity modification
4-8 WEEKS
Persistent or Recurring Pain
Pain that has been present for weeks or months, or keeps coming back. Requires addressing the underlying movement dysfunctions.
8-16 WEEKS
Performance Rebuild
Full recovery requires building the necessary mobility, strength and running mechanics needed to stay pain-free for the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions runners ask us about shin splints
Q: Can a chiropractor actually help with runner's knee?
A: Yes — particularly when the care is movement-based rather than just adjustment-focused. Shin splints are rarely solved by treating the shin alone. Care that combines adjustments with targeted mobility, strength, and running mechanics work addresses both the pain and the pattern driving it. Most runners see meaningful improvement within a few weeks.
Q: Do I need imaging before coming in?
A: No. In most cases of shin splints, imaging isn't the first step. Our movement assessment gives us the information we need to get started. If imaging becomes relevant — especially to rule out a stress fracture — we'll let you know and we can help order it.
Q: How do I know if it's shin splints or a stress fracture?
A: Shin splints typically produce a diffuse aching pain along a section of the shin, often worse during running but easing after. A stress fracture more often produces sharp, localized pain in a specific spot, can hurt with everyday activities like walking, and may even be painful at rest. If the pain is concentrated in a small area or doesn't improve with reduced activity, imaging may be appropriate. Our movement assessment helps determine which is more likely and what to do next.
Q: Should I rest completely, or can I keep running?
A: Some initial rest can be helpful, especially if pain is stopping you mid-run or staying painful after you stop. We'll assess your situation and give you specific guidance on how to modify your training during your recovery. Many runners are able to continue with adjustments to volume, terrain, or pace.
Q: How is this different from seeing a regular chiropractor or physical therapist?
A: Our team specializes in working with runners and active adults. We assess movement patterns, understand running mechanics, and build treatment plans that include targeted exercise and adjustments. We're focused on solving the problem and getting you back to running.
Ready to stop guessing and find the actual cause?
If shin splints are affecting your run, schedule a movement assessment as part of our Rock your Run Recovery Care program. We'll identify what the problem is and what to do about it!