Basketball players, soccer players, and in particular, runners,
will often suffer from Tibial Stress Syndrome, commonly referred
to as shin splints. The pain of shin splints occurs because the
tibia (shinbone) and the connective tissues attached to it
become overloaded. This happens when athletes train too hard or
for too long, or when they suddenly increase the intensity or
duration of exercise. For example, when runners add to their
mileage, or alter the terrain or incline of their workout, shin
splints are a likely result. Shin splints may be accompanied by
swelling and hardening of the soft tissues. While there are a
number of physical therapies and medications one can take to
relieve the symptoms of shin splints, one must begin by resting
and limiting any stress or load to the shin area. One possible
treatment increasingly used by athletes for shin splints is
acupuncture. This treatment is most effective when the symptoms
first occur. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese
medicine, acupuncture w