The title pretty much says it all- I had a somewhat sedentary lifestyle for a couple years but after arriving at college a week ago I’ve been having to walk a crazy amount, as in 10-17 miles a day (mostly because I keep getting lost on the huge campus and my classes are so far apart and I’ve been exploring quite a bit, haha). Unfortunately, I’ve rapidly developed shin splints (which I’ve suffered from in the past) and can do nothing for them; I’ve just been taking Ibuprofen and hoping for the best. I have really, really bad quality $15 shoes but I can’t afford new ones or even inserts, or to go to the doctor either- I don’t have/can’t get health insurance, I’m having to save for 2 separate (unrelated) surgeries, I don’t have a job yet since I’ve only just moved, and I have literally no money left after buying textbooks, not even enough for other school supplies. I’m going to run out of Ibuprofen soon, so what can I do to manage or stop the pain, since it seems that I don’t have the resources to get rid of the splints entirely? I have no way to pay for a doctor (as much as I would love to), and I have absolutely no time to rest since I have so many classes/obligations that I just can’t afford to miss. Have any other broke and busy students experienced this? How did you cope? 8-X
Some folks have tried skateboards to get around campus, IF you campus is non-hilly and it is allowed. Those tend tbe relatively inexpensive. Calf sleeves are supposed to help reduce shin splints (search for them online). Check to see whether your tuition includes visits to the health center–most do. If so, get thee to the student health center, which is generally walk in. You can call them ahead of time to be sure visits are included in your tuition and there is no co-pay from you.
@HImom I’ve tried skateboarding before and suck at it, sadly. Plus the terrain is pretty uneven anyway (lots of huge cracks and holes and hills and grassy areas, etc.). I’ve already called the health center a few times and even visited but you have to have student health insurance to go, or otherwise money to pay upfront, and I have neither. I don’t qualify for any disadvantaged type stuff, because on paper I’m financially dependent on my parents (even though they’re both unemployed and barely speaking to me). I’ll check out the calf sleeves, but it’s likely I won’t be able to purchase them for at least a month, assuming I get hired by then (again, I don’t have money for a one subject notebook at this time; the only reason I’m even able to eat is because I had a meal plan included in my tuition arrangement). Thanks for the advice though I’ll try to get some when I can.
Ice them.
Walk slower, ice them using ice massage. You can use ice cubes and hold it with a washcloth or paper towel or you can freeze water in foam cups then peel some of the foam off leaving some of the bottom of the cup over the ice to hold on to. Rub the ice up and down on your shins until they are numb (no more than about three minutes) let them warm up a bit and repeat. You can do this several times per day and it may give great relief.
Thank you! I’ll definitely try the cup idea that sounds like it would work really well.
As stated above, definitely ice them - either with the cup method, or you can put water in a zip-lock bag and freeze that too, and use as an ice pack.
Here is a decent article on ways to avoid shin splints. Prevention is the best medicine on this one.
http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/4-exercises-to-prevent-shin-splints
Have someone massage your leg using the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIQsLfFQSQ0
Afterwards, use acupressure by applying finger pressure onto specific points in your body. Please google the following points, locate, and apply pressure:
Stomach 36
Spleen 9
Once the funds/insurance become available, consult your primary care physician. Even better, seek out a licensed, experienced, qualified acupuncturist, and have them treat the condition. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with this outcome.
Does the campus have a shuttle? Many large campuses do. If so, use it.
I agree with the ice massage being beneficial.