5 Recommended Essential Oils for Relief of Shin Splints

Have you ever had that moment where you were jogging, working out, or maybe just exercising? And the next moment, you experience a sharp and unbearable pain shooting up your lower leg. If that is the case, then this may mean you have shin splints.

The shin itself is also referred to as the shin bone or the tibia. This happens to be the large bone that is situated in the front portion of the lower leg. There are many different reasons that a person may be experiencing shin splint problems.

These may have to do with sports injuries, falls, or accidents. You may be interested in finding non-medicated options, such as essential oils for addressing pain and discomfort.

Fortunately, there are a variety of these essential oils for shin splints to choose from as a response to this problem.

Shin Splints

The term “shin splints” refers to pain along the shin bone (tibia) — the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Shin splints are common in runners, dancers, and military recruits.

Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints often occur in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. The increased activity overworks the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue.

Most cases of shin splints can be treated with rest, ice, and other self-care measures. Wearing proper footwear and modifying your exercise routine can help prevent shin splints from recurring.

They are common in:

runners
military recruits
dancers
athletes who play sports like tennis

Shin splints are caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone.

If you have shin splints, you might notice tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner side of your shinbone and mild swelling in your lower leg. At first, the pain might stop when you stop exercising.

Eventually, however, the pain can be continuous and might progress to a stress reaction or stress fracture.

How Do You Know if You Have Shin Splints?

Shin splints are easy to spot. They are a sharp, shooting pain that runs from the shins to the front lower bones in the leg. They can be mild and annoying, or they can be so painful that you feel like you cannot continue to run or even walk.

Usually, the pain will subside if you stop the activity that you were doing, but it is possible for shin splints to cause lasting damage.

Shin splints can sometimes be a symptom of other issues such as a stress fracture so it is a good idea to seek medical advice if you are unable to resolve the issue yourself with home remedies and changes to your footwear.

Best Essential Oils for Shin Splints

1. Peppermint Oil

There are a number of benefits associated with using peppermint oil to relieve pain and tension, which occurs with shin splints. This essential oil includes menthol that successfully works to cool sore areas of the body.

Along with this, peppermint oil has analgesic that can help you with inflammation.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is often related to the smell that the plant emotes naturally. This essential oil is known to evoke relaxation and calm when used in massages.

Shin splint pain can be relieved with the direct application of this oil in a rubbing motion.

3. Cypress Oil

One of the most unique and rarely heard of essential oils is cypress oil. It can be used by those with leg pain to relax muscle spasms. At the same time, this is a type of oil that is good for calming and soothe your inflammation.

4. Marjoram Oil

Those experiencing pain and other shin splint pain might want to use marjoram oil. This essential oil is commonly associated with relieving pain.

Its composition includes components that relax and also effectively work to reduce inflamed legs.

5. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is one of the most diverse because it addresses so many different issues. This oil provides a cooling effect that is especially helpful for muscles.

How to Use These Essential Oils

Hot Tubs With Essential Oils

Hot water reduces inflammation. Essential oils are believed to provide calming effects. This may help in relieving pain from shin splints.

You Will Need

A tub of hot water
1-2 teaspoons of any essential oil (lavender or eucalyptus oil)

What You Have To Do

Prepare a hot bath.
Add one to two teaspoons of any essential oil to the hot tub.
Soak yourself and relax in the bath for 15 to 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this after every intense activity to help relax the muscles.

How To Get Rid Of Shin Splints Naturally

1. Cherry Juice

Cherries contain compounds called anthocyanins that exhibit antioxidant properties. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, cherry may be used for treating shin splints.

You Will Need

1 glass of unsweetened cherry juice

What You Have To Do

Drink a glass of cherry juice.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this daily, especially before an intense workout session.

2. Almonds

Almonds are natural antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory properties. This may help in treating the inflammation and pain caused by shin splints.

You Will Need

8-10 almonds

What You Have To Do

Soak the almonds in water overnight.
Remove the peel the next day and consume directly or blend them with milk.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

3. Valerian Root

Valerian roots have many pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties. This may help the muscles of the shin to relax and reduce the pain.

You Will Need

1-2 teaspoons of valerian root
1 cup of water
Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

Add valerian root to a cup of water.
Bring this to a boil in a saucepan.
Add honey for flavor and consume this before it turns cold.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

4. Vitamin D

Vitamin D exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. A deficiency in this vitamin may make the human body susceptible to inflammation and swelling from injuries.

Hence, it is recommended to get the right amount of vitamin D daily.

Try consuming foods rich in vitamin D, such as tuna, mackerel, oranges, soy, cheese, and eggs.

5. Massage

Gently massaging the affected area on your lower leg may help relieve the pain caused by shin splints. For best results, use a warm compress prior to massaging.

Warming the muscles may make the massage more effective and relieve the pain and inflammation.

Also, it is highly recommended that you get enough rest for at least 4 to 5 days following the injury to speed up the recovery. In addition to this, you may also use a cold compress to decrease the swelling of the legs.

Bottom Line

Shin splints can be quite unpleasant. If you start to develop them while you are running, slow down or stop. Try to run on even ground, or gentle hills rather than running almost exclusively up or downhills.

Using essential oils for shin splints is a way to enhance this process, reduce inflammation, and to get back to normal mobility and leg functions. Many people have found that mixing or blending these oils is very helpful, as well.

This allows you to naturally address several different symptoms at one time.

Seek advice from expert runners to make sure that your gait is correct, especially if you regularly run long distances.

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