Tuesday
Jun152010

Shin Splints?

DateTuesday, June 15, 2010 at 8:53PM

I've heard from more than a few of you telling me that you think you may be plagued by the dreaded 'shin splint'.  Let's take a look at the 'shin splint' and figure out if its what you are in fact suffering from.  

The proper name for a shin splint is a Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS).  The muscle that is causing this pain is the muscle known as the posterior tibialis, or your medial tibial muscle.  In most cases of MTSS, the muscle becomes too overworked and ends up ripping away from your tibial bone either resulting in an avulsion fracture (the muscle pulling tiny pieces of bone off of the tibia) or a stress fracture which is a fracture of the bone that may vary in severity.  Reasons for this MTSS can be multi faceted, however the main cause is due to a biomechanical need called pronation that occurs in the arch of your foot.  In order to absorb impact while running or walking, your foot automatically pronates or rolls in.  In cases where the arch rolls in too far, your posterior tibialis is working too hard to keep the arch up, and in turn becomes stressed out.  

Signs and symptoms include pain (usually a broad area on the inside of the shin several inches up from the ankle).  Possible swelling may be evident, but not always.  Pain with Inversion of the ankle (not sure what this is?  see me!)  Pain with jumping, running and walking on your toes.  If you have point tenderness (meaning that you can point with one finger and one finger only as to where the pain is, its not a shin splint!  it may be a stress fracture.  

Can you run through the pain.  Yes, if you want to make it worse, you certainly can!  its almost impossible to rest the shin due to the fact that we walk everywhere.  But if you keep stressing it out, guess what's gonna happen?  Good inserts or proper footwear may be very helpful to aiding the muscles in your lower leg.  Deep tissue muscle massage may expedite the healing process by promoting proper blood flow to the area.  and last but not least, ice the affected area after workouts!

AuthorJames | CommentPost a Comment |
Tuesday
Jan122010

Questions Of Cost

DateTuesday, January 12, 2010 at 8:56AM

Pretend you're a trainer.  Sitting across from you is a prospective client who contacted you and asked for a consult.  When you ask what you can do for them, they immediately and predictably say:

"I need to get in shape," or "I need to lose some weight."

You nod and smile, because you can help this person.  At some point in the conversation, they ask you how much it will cost to join the gym.

Regardless of your answer, this question of cost runs a lot deeper than it looks like.  And if you, the trainer, merely quote a number with a dollar sign on it, that is a superficial treatment of a profound issue.

What you might really be asking when you ask how much it costs to be healthy

  • Will this cost me the lifestyle I am used to?
  • Will this cost me effort?
  • Will I be required to pay with some discipline?
  • Will I have to make changes that I would rather not?
  • Will this cost me more than a debit charge from my bank account?
  • Will I have to sweat?
  • Will I have to test my limits?
  • Will I have to learn things about myself that I may not like at first?

What the trainer might say in return

  • It will cost you some donuts
  • You may need to go to bed earlier and get more rest
  • You will need to become comfortable with hard, hard work
  • You will have to break old habits
  • You will have to create new habits
  • It will cost you more than you've ever given before
  • It will cost you a drive to the gym, or many

Money is rarely the issue

I could personally let go of TV, Internet access, eating out so often, going to the movies, pay-per-view UFC fights, diet sodas, protein shakes, and new clothes if I was desperate to free up the money for a gym membership.

We spend money all the time, without hesitation, and often without remorse.  We spend it on things we don't need, things we won't use, and often on things that are bad for us. But wham! We swipe the card and think on it no more.

Is $50, $80, $100, or $500 really so much for your health?  Really?  REALLY?  I've never seen a gym that charged $500/month, but they're probably out there.  The point is, if you can actually put a price tag on your health, well-being, and longevity, you need a lot more help than something as trivial as a gym membership can give you.

Food for thought, for the trainer and the trainee. 

Josh

 

 

AuthorJosh | CommentPost a Comment |
Monday
Dec072009

The Upside Of Strength

DateMonday, December 7, 2009 at 3:03PM

Being strong makes you:

  • Confident
  • Look better
  • Feel better
  • Better
  • The adult in the room
  • Age gracefully
  • Tough
  • More tolerant to pain
  • Mentally tough
  • Aware of your body

Most of these qualities result in:

  • Awesomeness
  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased happiness
  • The satisfaction of being able to set and reach goals
  • Less scared of the things that don't matter

Strength is a gift to yourself.  Give it freely, often, and be generous. 

You owe it to you.

Get after it,

Josh

AuthorCrossfit NRG | Comment2 Comments |