LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highland Chiropractic announced that the practice is now offering treatment for shin splints. The treatment is specifically designed to help individuals who suffer from shin splint pain due to exercise and running. A shin splint is acute pain in the shin and lower leg due to prolonged activity, often on hard surfaces. Also known as tibial stress, shin splints are associated with irritated and swollen muscles, stress fractures in the lower leg bones and over-pronation. Louisville chiropractor Dr. Charles Copeland uses trigger point therapy on the soft tissue to relieve pain and enhance mobility.
Louisville chiropractor Dr. Charles Copeland announced that his practice, Highland Chiropractic, has had significant success treating patients for shin splints using trigger point therapy.
Shin splints are a sharp pain in the shins typically caused by overuse. Weakness in stabilizing muscles in the hips or core can also increase the risk for shin splints. While some cases of shin splints may go away on their own with rest, other cases can persist and prevent individuals from living an active life, says Dr. Copeland. In these cases, Dr. Copeland recommends trigger point therapy.
A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue associated with pain, such as shin splint pain.
"The inside of the body is covered in soft tissue known as fascia," said Dr. Copeland. "Overuse and trauma can tear the fascia or adhere it together, restricting mobility. Trigger points increase muscle stiffness and tenderness and decrease range of motion. Trigger point therapy has been shown to be very successful for treating shin splint pain."
Dr. Copeland recommends trigger point therapy as an alternative to medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used for shin splint treatment, but Dr. Copeland says that the risks associated with long-term use can lead to even bigger health problems.
"NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin are a great temporary option for relieving pain," said Dr. Copeland. "However, these drugs are not a viable long-term treatment option. That's why I recommend trigger point therapy. No medication is necessary, and this treatment directly addresses the root cause of a patient's pain."
Prior to treatment, Dr. Copeland recommends a full diagnostic evaluation. In some cases, shin splint pain may be due to over-pronation or "flat feet," a condition in which the impact of a step causes the foot's arch to collapse.
"If a patient's pain is due to over-pronation, this can be corrected with proper arch support," said Dr. Copeland. "Trigger point therapy may still be beneficial in these cases. The goal is enhanced pain management for long-term relief. We want patients to be able to return to the activities they enjoy like running."
Highland Chiropractic provides comprehensive chiropractic care, pain management and injury rehabilitation services including adjustments, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and therapeutic exercises.
For more information on treatment for shin splints, visit http://www.highlandchiropractic.com/.