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He’d Tried Everything But the Pain Just Wouldn’t Go Away

By the time he came to see us, he’d been struggling for eight months. A 23-year-old runner, fit and motivated, but stuck in a frustrating loop. Every time he ran, pain would start to creep into the inside of his shin. Always around the 4K mark. If he kept going, the pain got worse. And the next day, just walking around would leave the area tender and sore.

He’d tried everything you’d expect from someone who wanted to stay active. Rest. New trainers. Off-the-shelf insoles. Painkillers. He even took breaks from running to let things settle, only to get the same result the moment he laced up again.

It wasn’t just the physical pain that was wearing him down. It was the not knowing. Why 4K? Why would the pain go away for a day or two and then come roaring back the moment he tried again? Like many runners, he started questioning his body, wondering if maybe he just wasn’t built to run.

That’s when he decided to come in. Not for a quick fix, but for a proper look at what was really going on.

The Story His Body Was Telling Us

What stood out to me straight away was how long he’d been putting up with this. And how many things he’d already tried. He wasn’t lazy or reckless. He was doing what most people do. Guessing. Googling. Trying one thing after another in the hope that something would click.

We started with a full biomechanical assessment. Not just a look at his feet or how he was running, but an in-depth review of his foot and ankle mechanics, gait pattern, pressure loading, and how his whole lower body was functioning as a unit.

The findings were clear. His arches were collapsing moderately during load, which was increasing stress on his lower legs. But more importantly, he had a condition called ankle equinus which means he didn’t have enough range of motion through his ankle joints. So when he ran, his ankle and shin bones were making contact earlier than they should, forcing excessive pressure through the inside of his shin.

That pressure was showing up exactly where he felt pain at 4K.

Finally, we had answers. And once you know the why, you can build a proper plan around the how.

Building the Right Plan Not Just a Quick Fix

We started with custom 3D printed orthotics to help control the arch collapse and improve shock absorption. We also made one crucial change to his running shoes. He had been running in six millimeter heel to toe drop trainers. Because of his ankle restriction, we shifted him into a ten millimeter drop which allowed more movement and reduced the stress on his shin during each stride.

But footwear and orthotics were just the beginning.

He had significant tightness in his calves and hamstrings and poor hip stability. All of which were contributing to poor running mechanics. So we implemented a tailored strength and conditioning program. We focused on calf endurance, single leg stability, hip control, and running drills designed to retrain movement patterns. Weekly soft tissue therapy helped ease tightness and improve mobility.

We didn’t rush his return to running. Instead, we gradually increased his distance over four weeks after the initial eight week rehab period. At each stage, we monitored how his body responded. And finally, when he hit five kilometers pain free and remained pain free the day after it was a huge milestone.

Sharp Physiotherapy helping a runner with shin pain relief and injury recovery in Bawtry, Lincoln and Newark.

He Got His Run Back And His Confidence Too

Today, he runs regularly again. He continues his strength and conditioning, does mobility work to maintain flexibility, and wears his orthotics part time during daily life. He doesn’t run in them. He doesn’t need to. He sticks to higher drop trainers, gets a soft tissue treatment every six weeks, and most importantly feels in control of his running again.

And that’s what so many people in his position are missing. Control.

When you’re injured, especially with something like shin pain that doesn’t show up until a certain distance in, it’s incredibly easy to feel helpless. You don’t know why it’s happening. You try things that don’t work. And eventually, you start wondering if your body just isn’t meant to do what you love.

But with the right assessment and a clear plan, you can break that cycle.

It’s Not About Guessing It’s About Listening to the Body

If there’s one thing I hope this story shows, it’s that persistent pain like this doesn’t just show up for no reason. There’s always a cause. And more often than not, it’s hidden in the way your body moves.

Runners often hear a lot of conflicting advice. Rest more. Run less. Stretch this. Strengthen that. But unless someone takes the time to look at your unique movement patterns, your footwear, your muscle control, and your joint function, most of it is just guesswork.

A proper biomechanical assessment doesn’t just explain the pain. It helps build a map out of it.

This runner’s story is one I see versions of every day. He didn’t need to stop running. He just needed someone to guide him back the right way.

Joe Sharp

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

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Emma
Emma
Am 47 years old and had a car accident 13 years ago leaving me with a plate in my wrist , nerve damage and Thoracic outlet syndrome. I had spent thousands on physio with little to no joy of managing my pain and discomfort. I could not sleep through the night , I would grind my teeth, I couldn’t get back in to a pool to swim , no one was able to touch my wrist. I didn’t let people close because I did not want people to know how much I struggled. I just couldn’t imagine growing older and coping with it all. Lucy has changed all this , she is amazing , I went swimming in the sea within 3 months of seeing her . I can let someone hold my hand , I sleep, never felt poorly after my appointments. Lucy as gave me my life back , hope , took away fear and anxiety and that ground hog day feeling. Listen to Lucy and you should go Far. Great team , great company have a lot to offer.
Emily Flemming
Emily Flemming
After several knee dislocations, I was considering surgery on my knee. However after a block of sessions with Joe, I am now the strongest I have been and no longer need surgery. I started only being able to walk for 15 mins pain free and now can run and walk pain free. The whole team are lovely and welcoming and it’s been a fantastic experience - would hugely recommend!
Tom Stretton
Tom Stretton
Could not speak highly enough of the team for how much they helped me. I reached out to them around a month post elbow surgery with very limited movement capability in my elbow. My injury was given a full review, after which the team put together a full exercise program for me to follow which allowed me to continue to make progress in between appointments. Even the specialist surgeons at the hospital commented on how quickly I was progressing in terms of regaining movement, all thanks to the team at Sharp. I even received scar tissue treatment as part of the sessions to help reduce sensitivity, which was above and beyond what other physio’s would generally do. Would definitely recommend!
Beth Garlick
Beth Garlick
Can't recommend Sharp Physiotherapy enough. After seeing Sam for a few sessions for a problem with my knee I was still able to do the half-marathon I had planned, and learnt so much about the issues I was having and how to prevent them going forward. They really listen to you and make it a comfortable experience.
Katy Moss
Katy Moss
Have had a great experienec with both Joe and Matthew, they both helped me massively with my back pain where with the odd bit of maintenance I am pain free. Thanks guys!
Sam Kent
Sam Kent
Joe and lucy at sharps physio and all the team Know there jobs inside out and not just the best physio about there Genuine lovely people couldn’t recommend enough
Emily Cahill
Emily Cahill
I highly recommend the team at Sharp Physiotherapy! Matt at Bawtry was excellent in all aspects of treatment, and is a great person. Thank you again!
Ella Walker
Ella Walker
Could not recommend Sharp Physiotherapy enough! After my hip arthroscopy my hip didn’t feel right and Joe and Lucy agreed. The team helped me find another surgeon for a second opinion and the surgeon agreed my hip was not right. I underwent another arthroscopy to sort out the issues from the first surgery and Lucy worked alongside the surgeon and treated me weekly to help with my hip. I then underwent a major hip surgery and then got an infection and Lucy was there to help with my rehab and treatment. I could not recommend Lucy enough she has helped me through so much, treating me, being extremely patient, understanding but also very knowledgeable. Lucy has been there for me and my family every step of the way! Lucy has worked alongside my surgeon to create a successful rehab plan. The team have managed to fit me in for appointments when I’ve been struggling with pain. I would not go anywhere else for Physiotherapy and can not recommend Lucy and Sharp physio enough!
Jayne Beilby
Jayne Beilby
Sharp Physio are the absolute best! I've tried several before but never stuck with it as they never solved the problem. Lucy, Joe and the whole team want to get to the root of the problem, sort that out, then work on building you up from there. I've referred several people now and they have all had great experiences for different ailments/injuries. I honestly wouldn't look anywhere else! Your'e getting local physio's who have worked at Olympic & pro sport levels. The premises are lovely too so you feel welcome and looked after but not in a hospital type environment.😊
Sarah Timmins
Sarah Timmins
I had tried many different practitioners over the years to help treat my headaches and neck pain with no one seeming able to help. Having seen a physiotherapist for 6 months with no results and then finally going to my gp who seemed clueless, I decided to give Sharp Physiotherapy a go. I was skeptical and unsure that they could help after many years of unsuccessful treatments. I had a telephone consultation and session with Sam T who put me at ease telling me that he was confident he could help. After my first session my headaches were instantly better, I was not expecting that at all. For years I have been in pain which has taken over my life and now I feel like my old self again and more importantly pain free! Sam seems to know where to target the pain and release the tension in my head and neck. I would not hesitate to recommend Sharp Physiotherapy to anyone, they are a fab team and very helpful.