~*PhatKat*~

anotapotamus

Hey - I've got a great shinsplint stretch if you're interested. I think I can describe it well enough. I used to get them all the time before I got shoes that fit right - and even now - if I'm running next to the curb a lot or on another uneven surface, they'll flare. And you can do it practically anywhere. If you're not interested, just disregard the rest as unsolicited advice.

If you're down on one knee, like you're about to stretch your a hip flexor (in fact, this is my usual follow up stretch for that), instead of dropping your hips forward, pull your hips back like you're going to sit on the back heel and let the front leg go long. That's usually a hamstring stretch. Now, rather than flex the front foot to get the hamstring, keep the foot long and pigeon toe it in just a little bit. Put your pinky toe in line with your ankle if you can. Concentrate on having all 5 toes on the ground - and try to spread your toes - hold it for 30-60 seconds while you think about that pinky toe staying on the ground. It's a really subtle stretch. So you won't feel some great pull and you might not even think anything is happening at all, but trust it. It lengthens out that whole front area of the leg.

If you try it and get used to it, you'll find you can do it in a lot of different ways. I tend to find myself doing that stretch when I've got my feet up on the ottoman at night. Just lengthen out the front of the feet and pigeon toe in a bit.

My yoga teacher gave me this one and it is quietly awesome.

 

phatkat811

Oooh....that provided me some relief this morning! I'm going to do that one over and over and over. Very few stretches work that particular spot, but that one is fantastic. Thanks!!!