Fall Sports Are Back: How to Prevent Shin Splints & Early-Season Injuries | Rehab Report

By: Tom Leyden

High School fall sports are officially back, and unfortunately, that means some athletes will soon be dealing with the aches, pains and injuries that come with jumping back into full-speed practices.
 
In this edition of The Rehab Report, Tom Leyden sits down with Dave Fleischman of APR Physical Therapy to talk about some of the most common early-season injuries he sees, including shin splints, ankle sprains and other nagging issues that can derail an athlete’s season.
 
Dave explains why conditioning BEFORE the season matters, what actually causes shin splints, and why athletes shouldn’t wait for a small problem to become a bigger one.
 
Plus, Dave demonstrates some of the recovery tools athletes can use, including percussion massage devices, vibration therapy and vibrating foam rollers.
 
🏃 Why shin splints develop
🏈 The danger of ramping up activity too quickly
⚽ What athletes should do when pain begins
🏑 When it’s time to see a physical therapist
💪 Recovery tools that can help athletes stay on the field
 
The biggest takeaway? Don’t wait. If something doesn’t feel right, addressing it early can make the difference between a minor interruption and an injury that lingers for weeks.
 
Dave Fleischman and the team at APR Physical Therapy have locations in Westwood and Foxborough.
 
Subscribe to Westwood Living for more Rehab Reports, local sports coverage, health and wellness advice, community stories and conversations with the people who make our community special.
 
Learn more about APR Physical Therapy by visiting www.aprpt.com
 

The Rehab Report with Dave Fleischman

 

August 25, 2026 – Fall Sports Are Back: How to Prevent Shin Splints & Early-Season Injuries

 

August 11, 2026 – Fall Sports Are Back: How Young Athletes Can Get Their Bodies Ready for the Season

 

July 24, 2026- LeBron Sticks with The Sixers

 

July 14, 2026- Acute IT Band Strain with Laser Treatment

 

July 7 2026- The Benefits of Membership

 

June 30, 2026- Tennis Elbow and World Cup Excitement

 

June 23, 2026- The Giannis Trade and World Cup Injuries

 

June 2, 2026- Roman Anthony’s Finger Injury

 

May 19, 2026- Piriformis Syndrome

 

May 12, 2026- Garrett Crochet’s Shoulder Injury

 

May 5, 2026- Jayson Tatum… What Could Have Happened

 

April 28, 2026- Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury (Impact of Bone Bruise)

 

April 22, 2026- Dave Merson on Balance & Symmetry

 

April 14, 2026- Oblique Injuries

 

April 7, 2026- The Luka Doncic Hamstring Injury

 

March 31, 2026- What Exactly Is Achilles Tendinitis?

 

March 24, 2026- Quick Ankle Rehab to Return in a Week

 

March 17, 2026- Injuries You Might Suffer Chasing a Leprechaun

 

March 10, 2026- Previewing Hockey Title Games and Preparing for the Spring Sports Season

 

March 4, 2026- Helping Female Athletes Protect Their ACLs

 

February 25, 2026- Lindsey Vonn & Compartment Syndrome

 

February 16, 2026- Dave Merson – Working with Olympic Figure Skaters

 

February 3, 2026- Drake Maye’s Shoulder Rehab

 

January 20- The Bo Nix Injury

 

January 13- Patriots/Texans Preview, Achilles Talk

 

January 6- Gearing Up for Wild Card Weekend

 

December 30 – Most Rewarding Case of 2025

 

December 23 – Naughty and Nice

 

December 16 – ACL Injuries and Recoveries

 

December 11 – The Toughness of Quarterbacks

 

December 4 – Bye Week Priorities & QBs Playing Through Pain

 

November 25 – Will Campbell’s Knee Injury

 

November 11 – Warming Up in Cold Conditions

 

November 4 – Dislocated Elbow

 

 

October 30 – Groin Injuries

 

 

October 22- Broken Clavicle

 

 

October 14- When Injury Strikes Midseason

 

 

September 30- Tyreek Hill Leg Inury

 

 

September 23 – Turf Toe

 

 

2023-24 Season

January 21 – End of Season Realities

 

January 21 – Hip Injuries

 

 

January 14 – Knee Sprain/Strain

 

 

January 8 – Advising Eager Clients When They Want to Return To Action

 

 

December 31 – The Value of Rest

 

 

December 23 – Major Knee & Shoulder Injuries, The Dangers of Specialization

 

 

December 18 – How It Works: Low Level Laser Treatment

 

 

December 3 – PCL Injuries

 

 

November 26 – Thanksgiving Injury Prevention

 

 

November 19 – Broken Clavicle

 

 

November 12 – Wrist

 

 

November 5 – Shoulder

 

 

October 29 – Groin

 

 

October 22 – Achilles, Hamstring, Ankle Dislocation

 

 

October 15 – Fractured Tibia and Fibula

 

 

October 8- Eversion Ankle Sprain

 

 

October 2- ACL Recovery, Hip Pointers and Shoulder Injuries

 

 

September 24 – High Ankle Sprain vs. Low Ankle Sprain

 

 

September 17 – Torn Pectoral Muscle/Concussion/Fibula Fracture

 

 

September 10 – Achilles/Calf

 

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