Katie L asked:


I workout probably 3-5 times per week and sometimes use the treadmill. When I do though, I end up getting severe heal pains and have to stop, but this doesn’t always happen on the elyptical. Could it be the way I’m running on the treadmill or just weak heals?

2 Responses to “Can treadmills cause shinsplints and heal pains?”

1. lestermount on November 6th, 2008 11:45 am

   You do not have weak heels. It is probably from the way you run. If you are landing heel first then it can cause injury. Shinsplints may happen regardless of the surface or your shoes. One of the theories about their cause is muscle imbalance, and the angle of the feet to the direction of travel. You will not have these problems on the elliptical because there is not impact. Try to land flat rather than heel first and to do this do not over stride, land more under your center of gravity. Make sure you have good quality shoes that are not worn out. Warm up before running. Cool down after.

2. NVAJacketFan on November 8th, 2008 12:49 am

   If you have a stride issue, pronation or suppornation, running on a treadmill will bring the effects upon you faster do to the complete repetition of act and footfall. Aka, if you run out side there will be at least slight variations of the terrain that your foot strikes upon, on a treadmill there is no variation at all.

   Go to a store that specializes only in running shoes, have them watch you run, and buy the correct shoe.