I am a moderately-serious runner, running 30 miles/week on average, but only recently have started playing in soccer games. I’m a serious sprinter during the games, but have been developing moderate shin pain (4/10 on the pain scale, I’d say) by the end of the game, which comes back if I go running and even when I’m not (at about a 2/10 level). My pseudomedical research so far has indicated that I should stop running for 2–3 weeks, ice my shins for 15 minutes after exercise, take Ibuprofen, overstretch my calves, and see a podiatrist to get orthotics. I made an appointment with a podiatrist, but it’s 2 weeks out; I suppose the question is whether I should really actually not run or play soccer until I see the doctor and get orthotics (which could take another 2 weeks?), or whether this is more of a “take it as it comes” sort of thing due to the fact that my muscles and bones are adapting to the increased stress load. Running is my main form of exercise, and I don’t have a bike or swim, but I could go to the gym and use the elliptical; the question is, should I only be using the elliptical until this magical date when the pain finally subsides? And should I not play in my upcoming game?

Topics: sports, injuries, medicine, soccer, medical advice, Sports Injuries, sports medicine