Shin splints are micro tears of the muscles that attach to the tibia. They have to be distinguished from stress fractures, which could be caused by running and excessive use. Usually this can be done with an x-ray. And if that doesn’t prove positive, you can use an MRI to definitively diagnose a stress fracture. Usually stress fractures are treated with rest. However, shin splints can become chronic. They are due to the pain of the tearing of the attachment of the muscle to the tibia. Prolotherapy helps to heal these conditions in 90% of the cases. It only requires injections each week for five weeks and staying away from anti-inflammatories. You can still continue to exercise, and 90% of the time, you’ll have a good result.