Many runners, athletes, and those who engage in high-impact activities suffer from shin splints, a common and painful condition. Shin splints are caused by inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the shinbone (tibia). Shin splints cause sharp or dull pain along the inner side of your shinbone, swelling, and tenderness. Shin splints can adversely affect your performance, mobility, and quality of life.
If you suffer from shin splints, you may have tried various treatments such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching, and strengthening exercises. If you have flat feet, overpronation, tight calves, or weak hips, these treatments may not be enough to prevent or heal your shin splints. In addition, your traditional health care system may charge high fees, copays, deductibles, and coinsurances for each visit, test, or procedure, making it difficult for you to access timely and affordable care.
This is where Direct Primary Care (DPC) can help. DPC is a new model of health care that offers you unlimited access to your primary care physician for a flat monthly fee. With DPC, you will have a direct relationship with your doctor without the middlemen of insurance companies and third-party payers. DPC offers many benefits for managing your shin splints, including:
Your doctor will create a customized treatment plan for your shin splints based on your history, symptoms, goals, and preferences after listening to your shin splints symptoms, goals, and preferences. You will be able to contact your DPC doctor via phone, text, email, or video chat, and schedule same-day or next-day appointments at your convenience. Your doctor will also monitor your progress and adjust your plan accordingly. As needed, your DPC doctor will coordinate your care with other specialists, such as physical therapists, orthopedists, or podiatrists.
During your visit to DPC, your doctor will not only treat your shin splints, but also help you prevent them from recurring or worsening. As part of your preventive care and wellness services, your DPC doctor will provide annual physicals, health screenings, immunizations, nutrition counseling, weight management, smoking cessation, and stress management. You will also learn how to prevent shin splints by choosing the right shoes, warming up properly, avoiding overtraining, and incorporating cross-training and recovery days into your training schedule.
By charging a flat monthly fee that covers all your primary care needs, your DPC doctor will help you save money on health care expenses. You will not have to pay hidden fees, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. Additionally, you will be able to save money on lab tests, imaging, medications, and procedures. You will receive transparent and upfront pricing for all of the services you receive from your DPC doctor, and your doctor can assist you in comparing and negotiating prices with other providers if necessary.
As the famous runner and author George Sheehan said, “The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy…It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.”
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