Conference rocks::weight_control

    I don't think it is normal, I would invest in a good pair of walking
    shoes,  Reebock (sp?) is the  kind that I wear, try a pair of walking
    shoes but if the pain persist don't continue and go see you'r doctor.
                                              Lucie

    
    
    No matter what kind of activity I do, if my shoes aren't right the
    first pain I experience is in the shin.......alias shin splints.
    
    -les
    

.0>                      Could my shoes be causing this?  
    
    	Yes.  So could a stress fracture, tendon or muscle problem,
    or a bad stride form.
    
.0>                                                       Should I have
.0>    a Dr. check it out?
    
    	If it were me, I would see a doctor.  You might need orthodics.
    
    -mike z

    Virginia,

    You most likely have what is called 'perostitis'. This is an inflammation
    of the membrane that is around the bone. That explains also the pain in
    front of your shins, where there are normally very little muscles.

    I have had the same problem when I started jogging to loose some weight.
    My doctor told me that it is caused by having shoes that are not well
    fitted to run on a hard surface (bitumen for example). You should see
    someone who can advice you the kind of shoes that are fitted for the place
    where you walk a lot. Also see a dr. about it, because you probably need
    something to get rid of the inflammation. At least I did and in my case I
    also needed an insole, because of the formation of my feet. But then it
    went away fairly easy in my right leg, for the left I had to use the
    medicins.

    The only thing that can help you to get rid of it without medicins is
    rest, but I know that isn't always that easy. If I don't do my kilometers
    each week, I gain weight, that is why I opted for the small pills...

    Keep up the walking,

    Cor

    	In addition to what everyone else has said, are you doing any
    stretching before you walk?  I sometimes get shin splints, but I
    find that if I stretch well before *and after* walking, I don't
    have as much of a problem.  There are some good lower leg
    stretches that might help.  In general, you should always stretch
    before any kind of exercise, even just walking.

    	Amy

    I agree with Mike, go see a doctor - a podiatrist might be helpful.
    You may want to rule out any structural problems.  
    Pain is an indication that something is wrong.  For your own
    piece of mind, I'd suggest consulting a physician.
    
    Nance

          Overuse Injuries, RIGHA newsletter, Vol5 #2, Spring 89, p4

        
    	Many active people, young and old alike, will experience
    an overuse injury.  Overuse injuries are frequently the result
    of repetitive stresses on bones and joints, or working tendons,
    ligament, and muscle groups that may have been previously
    neglected.
    
    	For many people, the term "overuse injury" makes it seem
    that these typically painful conditions must be minor.  Many
    of these, however, are serious and very difficuly to recover
    from.
    
	As the overuse injury becomes more chronic, the orthopedist
    is faced with a greater challenge in providing effective care.
    The ultimate goal in treatment is adequate pain relief with minimal
    modification of activities.
    
	Tendonitis, a painful inflammatory reaction cause by excessive
    stresses on a muscle at a point where it attaches to the bone, is
    the most common overuse injury.
    
	Achilles tendonitis, one of the most common forms of heel pain,
    is an excellent example.  This tendon joins the large calf muscles
    to the heel, allowing us to push off ("plantar flex") our feet.
    Jumping activities, such as basketball or volleyball, are the common
    culprits.
    
	This is also a frequent overuse injury of runners, especially
    those who are just starting out or increasing their mileage. The
    athlete often experiences a burning pain early in the workout which
    becomes less severe as he "warms up", and then worsens after the
    run.  The pain may also appear when the patient takes his first
    step in the morning, followed by a graudla diminsihing of symptoms
    as the day progresses.  Upon exam, tenderness is often elicited
    one or two inches above the heel.  In severe and more chronic cases,
    swelling and a tender nodule may develop.  Treatment in the early
    stages is usually conservative : ice massage 3 to 4 times daily
    and an anti-inflammatory medication.  MOST IMPORTANT, THE ACTIVITY
    WHICH INITIATED THE TENDONITIS MUST BE STOPPED.  When the symptoms
    subside, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can be done
    to ease the athlete back into the activity.
    
    	[ section on tennis elbow ommitted .. mz ]
    
    	[ section on rotator cuff ommitted .. mz ]
    
    	These are a few of the ovreuse injuries an orthopedist is asked
    to treat in his daily office practice.  Many of these conditions
    require a treatment program designed by the orthopedist to meet
    the specific functional needs of each patient.  There are few cookbook
    cures for these injuries, but with early diaghnosis and proper inter-
    vention, successful results are the rule, rather than the exception.

    I haven't had the problem you're having with your legs, but I've
    been plagued with ankle problems for years -- since about three
    months after I first started running as a matter of fact.
    
    I went to doctors, all of whom told me to "just stop running and the
    problem will go away." Right.  But running will enable me to eat an
    occasional hot fudge sundae and is therefore an important goal. (^; 
    A very important goal.
    
    I *finally* went to a podiatrist who specializes in sports medicine. In
    fact, he treats many of the runners from the Aerobics Center, the
    institution started here in Dallas by Jim Cooper, who started the
    running craze here in this country with his book The Aerobics Way.
    Within 20 minutes, this doctor had identified my problem and
    recommended a treatment.  He was very careful to tell me that my
    problem could not be *cured*, but that we could *accomodate* it very
    nicely. 
    
    He made plaster molds of my feet, from which were casted a pair of
    orthotics (courtesy of John Hancock) that go into my running shoes. 
    
    So simple, and yet what pain I endured before finding this wonderful
    person!
    
    Moral of the story:  don't try to ignore it; it probably won't go
    away.  Have it checked by a competent physician, preferably (IMHO)
    one who specializes in sports medicine.  The solution might be the
    simplest, easiest thing you can imagine!
    
    							Pat

    I have had that problem before when I first starting jogging.  My
    problem was solved by buying good shoes that fit my foot.  I don't
    know if I would go to a Doctor until I bought some new shoes, simply
    because they use the old trial/error approach.  Every time I get
    shin splints it has been my shoes, nothing else.  I think that doctors
    sometimes don't know anymore than we do, especially about our own
    bodies.
    
    Sandy