Compression for Shin Splints

I used to get shin splints in a big way. First, RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Then look at your shoes. It turned out I needed some serious arch support. Either a product like super feet or from a doctor. It made a huge difference.

I'm not saying that minimalist shoes get rid of shin splints, but my personal experience was that my shin splints went away when I switched to them, and they haven't come back even as I transitioned back to more cushioned shoes a few years ago.

I started running in 06, developed pretty debilitating shin splints by late 07 and over the next year went to several different specialty running stores to get fitted for more and more cushioned (and expensive) shoes. My shin splints got worse. I tried ice baths, compression wraps, trying to change my stride, dramatically cutting back my running volume, etc.

In 08 I read a post on Reddit making fun of the way VFFs looked and saw a few comments by people saying they had fixed their shin splints. By that point I was desperate and willing to try anything. Bought a pair (cheapest running shoes I ever bought until I discovered cross country shoes years later) and within three months my shin splints were gone. The only time they ever came back was when I misplaced them a year later and did a brisk 7 miles in an old pair of aggressively cushioned shoes.

I have no idea how or why it worked, or if it will work for other people. I do know that:
The VFFs were extremely punishing to me as a heel striker and I quickly became a mid-foot striker.

My pace slowed down considerably when I transitioned, as my feet were now the most sore part of my running anatomy and took a while to acclimate.

My volume decreased significantly at first, for the same reason.

I have long since stopped running in VFFs, switching to progressively less minimalist shoes as the years have gone by, though I do still trail run in cross country shoes. I think I've found that for me personally the less toe drop in the shoe the better, but about 8 to 10 mm of cushion is pretty nice for those long road runs.

I get bad shin splints but cause I play rugby, I just gotta deal with it. What's helped the most is to ice them in the morning, after working out, and before bed, along with ibuprofen 800 3x daily. I've used those compression sleeves too, but I think that's mainly placebo. When they get bad I can't squat, but can still deadlift oddly enough. If it's available, getting some ART work might help too. That was one of the more painful sessions I've had done, but you try it all to get shit fixed

I literally fixed my shin splints in one day.
Watch this video, try these stretches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgu6poYC-lk
Get calf compression socks or fitting
Use a foam roller and tenderize yo meat
See if you need better running shoes. I used to wear these shitty $40 adidas that probably made it worse.
I was prescribed 3 ibuprofen a day 3 times a day which helped a little, just food for thought.

After leg surgery on both legs I got awful shin splints from even walking. Minimalist shoes helped strengthen(the OPPOSITE of orthotics which baby and eventually weaken) them, stretching and ice helped soothe them, and compression sleeves helped me still be able to run, and I'd even wear them while resting to help soothe as well. Choose any one of these three and I think you'll see at least an improvement. Time also helps.

Started having pain in shins when running short and hard. Was recommended to try Zensah sleeves and pain was gone after two weeks.

Had a really bad case of shin splints last year. Got back into playing basketball outdoors. Warming up/Stretching and wearing a shin wrap definitely helped. Each time I would start out ok but after 1-2 hours it hurts to stand. I saw a chiropractor and I found that my foot is high arch so that puts a lot of stress on my shins, the way the load is distributed. I switched shoes from wearing Kobe 8s (full lunarlon aka really soft) to Hyperdunks (toe/heel is lunarlon, but mid foot is zoom which is firmer) and my shin splints went away. It was about a 6 months process so either the shoes helped or my muscles just got conditioned the hard way.

I'm no doctor, but from experience, I'd say resting and doing something like the elliptical and then reevaluating after a week would be a good idea. Icing may be helpful, as might compression, if you have a compression sock or sleeve lying around. This video gives pretty good explanations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qFiAyyHuu8
Shin splints suck. Hang in there.