Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on September 23, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580

Running Pain Treatment Oakville

Shin Splints – Achilles Tendinopathy – Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Since Covid our clinic in Oakville has been treating more runners with more aches and pains. From ITB issues to Shin Splints and Achilles Tendinopathies we have treated it all. More people have been hitting the trails and streets to run and get the blood pumping, and with that our Oakville chiropractors and physiotherapists have seen an influx in running injuries.

The list of running related injuries is long and complicated. If you are suffering from any of the below conditions, follow the link to the specific treatment pages. If you are suffering from Shin Splints, Achilles Tendinopathy or Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome continue reading below.

When pain starts limiting your distance, pace or consistency, bring your recent training history and footwear to the assessment. Our sports chiropractors in Oakville look at the injury alongside changes in workload and help you plan the next steps toward running comfortably.

Looking for sports physiotherapy for a running injury in Oakville? Vinaya, our registered physiotherapist with over 26 years of experience, provides physiotherapy in Oakville with hands-on care, targeted strengthening and a return-to-running plan tailored to your injury and goals.

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female running on a road into the sunset,

 

Links to common running injuries:

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Most Common Runners Injuries:

1. Achilles Tendinopathy:

The Achilles in a big tendon that connects your calf muscles into your heel. When the calf muscles are put under too much stress, the tendon can become irritated. This irritation can cause pain and inflammation, and make the back of the heel during walking and/or running very painful. If you’re a new runner, have recently increased your distance, or started running hills, be on the lookout for this condition!

Our treatment approach to Achilles tendinitis closely mirrors plantar fasciitis treatment, incorporating IFC, heat, shockwave therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue work, shoe recommendations, and ice. Watch the video below for additional treatment insights.

4 Steps to Achilles Tendinitis Treatment:

Our approach to Achilles tendinitis closely mirrors plantar fasciitis treatment, incorporating IFC, heat, shockwave therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue work, shoe recommendations, and ice. Watch the video below for additional treatment insights.

  1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) & Heat – Applied to the calf to improve circulation, loosen tissue, and reduce pain.
  2. Shockwave Therapy – A high-frequency, air-powered device targets the injured area, penetrating deep to accelerate healing—considered the gold standard for tendinitis treatment.
  3. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy (“Scraping”) – A metal tool is used to break up adhesion’s and scar tissue in the Achilles and calf.
  4. Active Release & Trigger Point Therapy – Our specialists use hands-on techniques to relieve knots and tightness in the calves and Achilles tendon.

Patient receiving IFC treatment for Achilles

2. Shin Splints:

 

Shin splints or “front shin pain” is usually a result from over training, poor footwear or bad biomechanics of the legs/foot or hips. The pain is located on the inside of the front part of the lower leg. Dr. Steve and our Oakville physiotherapy team recommends shin splint injury patients to seek treatment as soon as they notice symptoms as the injury could lead to an avulsion fracture pulling a piece of bone by the affected Tibialis Anterior muscle.

4 Steps to Shin Splint Treatment:

    1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) & Heat – Applied to front of the lower leg and shin to improve circulation, loosen tissue, and reduce pain.
    2. Shockwave Therapy – A high-frequency, air-powered device targets the injured area, penetrating deep to accelerate healing—considered the gold standard for treatment of shin splints.
    3. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy (“Scraping”) – A metal tool is used to break up adhesion’s and scar tissue in the Tibialis Anterio/Posterior and Soleus.
    4. Active Release & Trigger Point Therapy – Our specialists use hands-on techniques to relieve knots and tightness in the front of the lower leg inlcuding the Tibialis Anterior, Soleus and Flexor Digitorum Longus..

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Severe shin splints can lead to Anterior Compartment Syndrome, which can be a life and death situation and unfortunately cannot be treated at our clinic. If this is the case and you present with anterior compartment syndrome, we send you to OTMH right away.

A picture showing marks on leg with marker, to show the areas effected by Shin Splint

What is the Best Treatment for Shin Splints Oakville?

Treatment for shin splints at our Oakville clinic involves a combination of treatments. Most patients will receive 10 – 15 minutes of Suction IFC on the affected leg. After that, Shockwave Therapy will be performed on the area of pain. ART and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue will also be performed on the injured area. If you have ever had Dr. Steve’s “scraping” you know this is relatively painful, buts Dr. Steve is conscience of his patients pain tolerance.

Runners dealing with shin splints, Achilles pain, ankle injuries, knee pain or other training-related problems can learn more about our sports physio in Oakville with Vinaya and our physiotherapy team.

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What Our Patients Are saying

  • The staff is unbelievable, they are all so nice and quick with treatments and never behind on schedule! Dr. Steve is so easy to talk to and makes the physio fun. He knows how to help the injury and fixes it in just a few treatments! Definitely recommend!!

    haley box Avatar haley box
    June 2, 2026

    Steve and his team are absolutely amazing. Very efficient. Absolutely knowledgeable and corrected my issue Very quickly. Steve and team are so friendly and such positive high energy in the office. Love seeing everyone 💕

    Linda Paul Avatar Linda Paul
    December 7, 2024

    Steve is awesome! Helps my aching problems every visit and sends me stretches to help that I can do at home. I have a love/hate relationship with the machines but definitely worth it! Steve comes in after the machines and does his magic! So happy I found his services 😀... read more

    Kim Havenaar Avatar Kim Havenaar
    December 7, 2024

  • Dr. Steve & his team were amazing. Helped me with my back pain, always had great appointment times available and got me in and out in a timely manner. I would highly recommend for your chiropractic needs.

    Nicole Romkema Avatar Nicole Romkema
    September 7, 2024

    Highly recommend - Dr. Steve is an amazing chiropractor. As a huge bonus, he gives good running advice—so come see him if you want to get into running and learn how to stay injury-free!"

    Melissa R Avatar Melissa R
    June 13, 2026

    Dr. Steve is the coolest guy ever. He was so kind and communicative to me. My first experience ever going to a chiropractor and I was very nervous because physical contact makes me anxious. He talked me through everything, asked permission before every position and checked in on my comfort... read more

    Katie Chris Avatar Katie Chris
    February 6, 2025

  • Starting seeing Dr Knighton for my frozen shoulder. Using Shockwave therapy along with cupping I am now able to reach over my head and I am pain free for the first time in 3 years. Thank you Dr Steve and all your great staff. I highly recommend!

    Susan N (Momsy) Avatar Susan N (Momsy)
    August 7, 2024

    Dr Steve and team deserve 50 stars - what an amazing experience! From the moment my son arrived and we met the friendly and organized front office to the bold and welcoming intros with Dr Steve, followed by his assessment of the TOS condition, we were confident we were in... read more

    Sonia Scrocco Avatar Sonia Scrocco
    February 13, 2025

    Steve is an outstanding chiropractor. After seeing multiple practitioners for my injury without getting lasting results, Steve was able to identify the problem and resolve it. What I appreciated most was that he was realistic about the timeframe for recovery. He didn't make unrealistic promises and explained what to expect every... read more

    Jessica Cassidy Avatar Jessica Cassidy
    August 6, 2026

3. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, this condition accounts for the majority of knee pain in runners. It is caused by an imbalance in the knee that causes the patella to track through its groove improperly. This created an irritation of the cartilage behind the kneecap and can cause pain. There are a number of biomechanical factors that contribute to this condition including over pronation of the feet/ankles, weakness of the medial (inside) knee muscles and weak glutes. Think your knee pain is coming from over pronation, get in today and see if some custom foot orthotics will get you back pumping out the miles!

4 Steps to Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Treatment:

  1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) & Heat – Applied to front of the knee and quad to improve circulation, loosen tissue, and reduce pain.
  2. Shockwave Therapy – A high-frequency, air-powered device targets the injured area, penetrating deep to accelerate healing—considered the gold standard for treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. This can be a little annoying towards the front of the knee where it is mostly bone.
  3. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy (“Scraping”) – A metal tool is used to break up adhesion’s and scar tissue in the front of the knee including the patella ligament and quads..
  4. Active Release & Trigger Point Therapy – Our specialists use hands-on techniques to relieve knots and tightness in the front of the knee and quads. At times they will find trigger points in the hamstring and popliteus muscle.

Learn More About Oakville Orthotics Here

4. Hamstring Strains

The hamstrings help to move us forward when we run. If you’re new to running, or have recently started a more difficult running routine, your hamstrings may tighten or become strained as a result. The pain can be felt anywhere down the back of the upper leg, from right underneath the butt to the back of the knee.

Shockwave Therapy, Muscle release techniques, IFC, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy, acupuncture and a home exercise programs can help make your return to running easier. The hamstrings aren’t the only muscles that can become strained from running; the quads and hip flexors are also common sources of running-related pain. If you are experiencing muscle pain, come visit the clinic today!

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A graphic showing marks on leg with marker, to explain effected areas by Hamstring Strains

Shin Splints FAQs

Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on September 23, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580