Are you a runner suffering from shin splints? Or you’ve had this common problem and can feel the early warning signs. When it comes to running, shin splints can significantly impact performance. The pain and discomfort associated with the condition can make maintaining a consistent running stride difficult, decreasing running speed and endurance. Additionally, the pain can become so severe that it is challenging to continue running. There is one way you can tackle the problem, and that is with ice packs for shin splints.
Table of Contents: Ice Packs For Shin Splints
Best Ice Packs For Shin Splints - Top 3 Picks
This guide will showcase our opening section’s best ice packs for shin splints in this section. After, we’ll look at the issue of shin splints and how ice packs and cold therapy can be used as a part of an overall treatment plan. Later in the guide how to apply them and when to use them, other treatment methods and advice to help you get rid of shin splints.
Magic Gel Ice Packs for Shin Splints Recovery Kit
- Perfect for use after a long run or vigorous activity and also comes with a cryoball to massage your muscles and a stretch band.
- Use it straight from the freezer and is 100% moldable and will form around your shine. Hold it in place with the adjustable straps on the back of the ice packs.
- Also get a stretches and strengthening exercises booklet to follow and aid recovery.
- Fantastic for post surgery rehabilitation, shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome), runners knee and calf injuries from various spor
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Great for shin splints and can be used straight from the freezer, they work perfectly for relieving shin pains after exercise or running. The Magic Gel packs are held in place with heavy-duty velcro straps. Magic Gel is our top pick and comes with a Cryoball, which can help relieve muscle pain. You’ll also get a stretch band that you can use to exercise the ankle area and target the tibialis muscles band of muscles, which are often a source of shin splint pain. Finally, you’ll also get a 10-page booklet that shows you every stage of stretching, massaging and strengthening required to aid your recovery.
BodyPro Shin Splint Ice Pack
- BodyPro packs can be used as Hot and Cold compress to treat painful calf and shin injuries after physical activities like running, walking, and any sports activities
- Packs are made of soft gel feature which can remain soft even in the freezer and trap the cold inside delivering longer cold therapy relief.
- Simply cool in a refrigerator or freezer and it will stay cold, or warm in hot water (or microwave) in order to use it as a hot pack.
- heat pack to help the healing process by increasing local blood flow and promote relaxation. It can also help reduce joint stiffness, pain, and muscle spas
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This ice pack wraps around your shin to provide cold therapy and comfort. It’s excellent for athletes who suffer from shin splints because it can be used before and after workouts. The ice pack has an adjustable strap that ensures a comfy fit and keeps the cold therapy in place. Packed with liquid gel and can be used for both cold and hot therapy, so all you need to do is freeze it or heat it in the microwave.
Hilph Shin Splint Ice Pack
- The Hilph shin splint ice pack is reusable ice pack for leg or calf areas. The elastic hook and loop straps can be easily adjusted. Effective way to treat painful calf and shin injuries after physical activities.
- 20% larger than some other brands and is an effective way to treat painful calf and shin injuries after physical activities like running, walking, and any sports activities.
- Ccan be used both for hot and cold therapy, allowing you to use this for multiple injury and pain problems.
- A elastic hook and loop straps keep free your hands so you can carry on with your daily tasks.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This ice pack is designed to fit around the shin, relieving any discomfort caused by shin splints. It’s made of high-grade material and is filled with a special gel that can be used hot or cold. Its size is 20% larger than the other brands dealing in the same issue and contains an adjustable strap for a snug fit.
What Are Shin Splints
The name shin splints is a misleading term that doesn’t adequately explain the problem. It’s a catch-all for pain in the shins and lower legs, usually caused by running and sports. Despite the shocking name, it has nothing to do with your shin bone or splintering. Instead, it’s caused by inflammation of the muscles and tendons in your shins.
Shin splints can be divided into two main types: Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) and Compartment Syndrome. MTSS can be caused by muscle imbalance, poor running technique, or weak foot pronation. Compartment Syndrome results from too much pressure in the lower leg compartment caused by overuse and overtraining.
They can also be termed anterior shin splints and posterior shin splints, which refer to where the pain is located on the shin. Anterior refers to the front of the lower leg, and posterior refers to the back.
What Shin Splints Are Not
Shin splints are not a single injury, like an ankle sprain. Instead, it’s an umbrella term for pain in the shins and lower legs. This means that if you have shin splints, there could be a variety of causes, so it’s important to get a precise diagnosis to determine the source of your pain.
How Can Ice Packs For Shin Splints Help You Recover
Ice packs are one of the best treatments for shin splints. They can help reduce swelling and inflammation when applied to the affected area. This means you can get back on your feet faster! Ice packs constrict blood vessels in the area, reducing pain, stiffness and soreness. This allows you to move with less discomfort and eventually get back to your sport. Applying ice packs for 20 minutes and repeating every few hours can help relieve the pain associated with shin splints.
Do I Need Ice Packs For Shin Splints?
The short answer to this is No. You can use a standard ice pack or go old school and grab that bag of frozen peas. The advantage of an ice pack designed for this specific purpose is that it is specifically built to target the area. The wrap and strap system ensures that the cold therapy is focused on the affected areas and stays in place. If you use a regular ice pack, you’ll have to lay still and hold for 20 minutes at a time – stopping you from getting on with other tasks.
Ice Packs For Shin Splints Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reduces pain and swelling in the affected area.
- Easy to apply and use compared to standard ice packs.
- Explicitly designed to deal with this injury.
- Targeted cold therapy helps reduce inflammation.
- It can be used with other treatments, such as stretching and rest.
- Inexpensive and reusable.
Cons
- None really
What Else Can You Do To Treat Shin Splints?
Ice packs for shin splints are an excellent way to treat the problem. However, you can use plenty of other methods to treat shin splints, and they should be used in partnership. These include taking a rest from running (harsh, I know), physical therapy (expensive), stretching, compression running socks, orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises.
Resting: When you have shin splints, it is essential to rest your legs if the pain feels horrible. Try not to run or jog until the pain subsides a little.
Physical Therapy: This is where a physical therapist will provide manual therapy and exercises to help alleviate the pain.
Cold Immersion Therapy: When you immerse your legs in an ice bath, the cold temperature causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing inflammation and pain. It also helps numb the affected area, providing an analgesic effect that can benefit shin splints. For more information, head on over to guide the best ice bathtubs. Here, you’ll find detailed reviews and comparisons of the top-rated ice bathtubs on the market – so you can pick the right one for your needs!
Lower Leg Stretching: To help release the tight muscles and fascia around the shins. For more information, please review our guide to the best slant boards for stretching and exercise.
Compression Socks: Compression socks can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the area. We have a few other guides that you might find helpful, read our Danish Endurance compression socks review and Physix Gear Compression socks review and our guide to the best running socks for shin splints.
Comfortable Daily Shoes: Wear comfortable and cushioned walking shoes for daily use when not exercising. We recommend trying Skechers walking shoes, which have excellent midsole padding but are also budget-friendly.
Orthotic Insoles: Orthotic insoles such as Superfeet pain relief can help reduce strain on the shin muscles and give your feet better support while you run.
Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening exercises can help build up the muscles in your calves, ankles and feet. This can decrease pain when running and prevent shin splints from developing in the future. Some form of strength training should be a part of every runner’s training plan, so there is no better time to start than now.
Treating Shin Splints With A Massage Gun
You might have heard that a massage gun can treat shin splints, but is this the case? In short, yes. A massage gun can provide deep tissue relief in the affected area, which can help reduce pain and inflammation. The massage gun is also thought to help increase blood circulation and promote healing. However, using a massage gun correctly and using the right attachments is essential.
The Bob and Brad C2 massage gun come with 5 attachment heads, each offering a different type of Percussion Therapy. I suggest using either the Air-filled (Pneumatic) attachment or the Big Round Head attachment for treating shin splints because these are the least aggressive and perfect for sore and tender areas.
Final Thoughts On Ice Packs For Shin Splints
Ice packs for shin splints are an effective way to reduce pain and inflammation caused by this condition. They provide targeted cold therapy that can help reduce swelling and relieve the affected area. There are many different types of ice packs available, ranging from standard ones to those specifically designed for shin splints which we have featured for you in this guide. By treating the problem early, you can return to doing what you love quicker – I know no runner likes sitting at home injured.
However, ice packs aren’t the only way to treat this condition, and it’s vital that you also look at other treatment options such as rest, physical therapy, stretching, compression running socks and orthotic insoles. Massage guns are also growing in popularity when treating shin splints. A massage gun can provide deep tissue relief and increase circulation, helping to promote healing in the area. As my site has grown, I’ve added more articles, so you’ll find links in this guide to other guides and reviews that will help you tackle this problem. Thanks for reading, and here’s to the next run!
Disclaimer: This guide contains affiliate links, and I earn a small commission from any sale that occurs via my links. This, however, does not change my opinion; I always do my best to provide the facts and suggest products that will benefit my users. You pay no more and no less for using these links. It does, however, help to sustain my blog.
Disclaimer: This guide contains affiliate links, and I earn a small commission from any sale that occurs via my links. This, however, does not change my opinion; I always do my best to provide the facts and suggest products that will benefit my users. You pay no more and no less for using these links. It does, however, help to sustain my blog.
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