Shin splints

[OakLeaf]

use a frozen big water bottle to massage out the IT by putting it on the ground and rolling over it (it really hurts but it does the trick!!).

That doesn't sound right. Stretching with ice? I'm just a group fitness instructor, but we're taught NEVER NEVER NEVER stretch a cold muscle. PTs?

[pinkychique]

No, not stretching with Ice, I didn't mean that. That's bad. Do them both but not in combination.

Make sure you're nice and warm BEFORE you stretch.

[VeloVT]

yup, wearing bike shoes around campus all day was the problem. I started carrying my comfy Nike XC flats around in my backpack and changing shoes after my ride, and now the shin pain is completely gone. Thanks!!!

(guess I should have known better in the first place ...).

[Wahine]

That doesn't sound right. Stretching with ice? I'm just a group fitness instructor, but we're taught NEVER NEVER NEVER stretch a cold muscle. PTs?

The rolling technique is actually a myofascial release and not technically a stretch, so it is safe with ice. Ice has been shown to increase the extensibility of collagen tissue so some people argue that this is a really good thing to do. But.....Yes you should never stretch a cold muscle.