Bodyweight Toe Pulls

Shin splints are one of the most common injuries to runners. This simple but effective exercise is excellent for building up the anterior tibialis which is the muscle in front of the shins. Many times, tight calves antagonize the ability to pull your toes back and correctly gait. Flat foot running causes overuse injuries and far greater impact on joints. This toe pull exercise not only helps to stretch the calves, but also builds the muscles that work to pull the toes back while running. I typically prescribe 100 toe pulls per day in people with shin splits as well as a good calf stretching routine. When done in conjunction with a layoff in running for a couple weeks, many times we can completely alleviate shin splints.