New Research Shows Soleus Muscle Involvement in Shin Splints
New Research Insights into Dry Needling for Shin Splints
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), commonly known as shin splints, is a frequent source of pain for athletes, characterized by discomfort along the inner edge of the shinbone. It is commonly thought of as due to forces on the shin bone or due to muscle pain from the tibialis anterior or posterior muscles affecting the shin.
A new 2025 study shows that many cases of shin splints may be due to periostitis and muscle tension, particularly involving the soleus muscle. Standard treatments often include rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy, though these methods sometimes provide limited relief or prolonged recovery times. This study explored the effectiveness of dry needling in athletes experiencing MTSS.
Key Points
Medial tibial stress syndrome significantly impacts athletes, limiting training and competition performance.
Conventional treatments provide varied outcomes, prompting exploration of alternative therapies like dry needling.
Dry needling effectively reduced pain but did not improve ankle range of motion in athletes with shin splints.
Optimal dry needling targets myofascial trigger points in the soleus muscle.
Dry needling helps relieve shin splints pain
Overview of Shin Splints
Shin splints are commonly experienced by runners and athletes involved in high-impact sports. Symptoms include sharp or aching pain along the tibia, aggravated by physical activity and sometimes persisting into rest periods. Conventional therapies such as rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and NSAIDs provide temporary relief but are often insufficient for long-term recovery or preventing recurrence.
Treatment for shin splints involving acupuncture and dry needling may be effective in reducing pain, restoring function, and releasing myofascial trigger points that may be the source of shin pain.
Research Overview
Singh et al. (2025) conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 50 university-level athletes diagnosed with MTSS. The trial evaluated the short-term effectiveness of dry needling targeting trigger points in the soleus muscle compared to a control group receiving no dry needling treatment.
Research Findings
Pain Reduction: Athletes receiving dry needling experienced significant pain reduction, with Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores decreasing dramatically from an average of 7 to 2 after treatment. Conversely, the control group showed increased pain from a score of 7 to 7.1.
Ankle Range of Motion: Despite effective pain management, dry needling did not result in measurable improvements in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, suggesting its primary role is in pain modulation rather than biomechanical adjustment.
Recommended Dry Needling Treatment for Shin Splints
Based on study findings, an effective dry needling treatment for MTSS includes:
Primary Trigger Points:
Soleus Muscle: Targets myofascial trigger points responsible for tibial stress and localized pain.
Additional Considerations:
Anterior Tibialis
Posterior Tibialis
Gastrocnemius
Session Details:
Each session should last approximately 30-45 minutes.
Recommended frequency is once or twice per week for at least 3–4 weeks for optimal short-term pain relief.
Techniques:
Manual Dry Needling: Direct targeting of active trigger points to relieve muscular tension and reduce localized inflammation.
Electro-Dry Needling (Optional): May enhance pain relief through modulation of nerve activity for chronic or severe cases.
Strengths of Study
Well-structured randomized controlled trial with clear outcome measures.
Focused specifically on a common athlete population, enhancing the relevance of findings.
Clear demonstration of short-term pain relief benefits from dry needling.
Weaknesses of Study
Limited sample size with short-term follow-up only.
Did not explore combined treatment approaches or long-term outcomes.
Absence of improvement in ankle mobility may limit overall effectiveness.
Future Considerations for Research
Investigating combined therapies, such as dry needling with physical rehabilitation, to enhance comprehensive outcomes.
Conducting studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups to evaluate sustainability of results.
Exploring additional trigger point locations and alternative needle techniques to further improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Dry needling demonstrates significant promise as an effective short-term pain management option for athletes dealing with shin splints. While it notably reduces pain levels, combining this treatment with other therapeutic approaches may maximize overall effectiveness. Morningside Acupuncture in New York City provides evidence-based dry needling and acupuncture treatments, specifically designed to meet the needs of athletes seeking rapid relief and improved athletic performance.
Over to you
If you liked this article, please share with friends and family who may be suffering with shin splints.
Sources:
Singh, A., Wadhwani, N., & Sharma, M. (2025). Short-term effectiveness of dry needling on pain and ankle range of motion in athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome- a randomized control trial. The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy, 33(1), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2024.2384611
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