1. First Things First
Before you do sports massage for shin splints, apply a heat pack to the area. Shin splints are often caused by extremely tight muscles, and digging right in can potentially cause more harm than good. By warming up the muscles, you not only reduce the work required to get into the deep muscles, you also start right off with pain reduction. When warming up and using massage for shin splints, don't forget the posterior leg, as it often plays a large role in anterior leg pain. Tight calves can increase stress on the front of the leg, so make sure that your heat pack wraps around the entire lower leg.
2. Addressing Antagonists
In the case, the antagonist of a shin splint is the large, meaty muscles of the posterior leg. When massaging shin splints, start with the back of the leg, as it helps to relieve the pressure on the anterior leg and improves circulation to the front of the leg which will increase the benefits of sports massage. With the client face down, allow the leg to rest gently on the massage table with the top of the foot flat. Gently kneed the calf muscles, always working from heel to knee, or towards the heart. Once warm, use cross-fiber friction, working with both hands as you move up the leg. Finally, use the heel of your hand to apply direct pressure to the width of the calf, holding each location for 2 or 3 seconds and then moving inch by inch up the leg.
3. Getting to the Nitty Gritty
Once the posterior leg is warm and worked, you can begin to use sports massage on the tibialis anterior muscle, the culprit of painful shin splints. With the client face down, lift the leg, bending the knee at a 90-degree angle, and then place a hand or your forearm on the foot so that their toes flex towards the shin. Begin at the ankle and use the palm of your hand to cup the shin, gently pushing down to the knee to warm up the muscle. Once warm, again begin at the ankle and use cross-fiber friction across the belly of the muscle. Finally, use your thumb to apply wide, direct pressure inch by inch from ankle to knee. As a general rule, you should never work the painful area for more than 10 minutes each day to prevent further aggravation.
4. Chill Out
While sports massage is often uncomfortable for the client, don't get carried away. Keep communication open and be aware of building muscle tension in the body which may be due to excess pain. Remember to cool down the area with gently massage strokes and even apply ice for 10 or 15 minutes to help flush toxins and reduce pain.
