Shin splints is a term used for overuse syndromes involving the lower leg muscles that move the ankle and foot. During the first injury, most often due to running in poor shoes, the muscle fibers tear from the bone. During the body’s attempt to heal this tear, the site can become fibrotic. This fibrotic (scar) tissue becomes less resilient than normal muscle attachments. During further use (running) these muscles can fail to lengthen properly, which increases the tension on the already scarred attachments. Proper soft tissue treatment will breakdown the fibrotic tissue (scar) tissue making the muscle behave more like a rubber band than a tight rope as it lengthens during activity such as running.  It is also important to consider that the opposing calf muscles, if tight, will cause the anterior tibialis (shin splint muscle) to work much harder.