Shin splints is a term used very loosely. There are a few types of shin splints.
The most common are the ones most easily treatable.

• Muscles irritation can cause irritation on the bone. This irritation is often caused by 'over doing it', whether its from running or jumping etc.
  Rest and ice. lots and lots of ice. Anti inflammatory medication and gels can also work wonders.

• Stress fractures. small fractures in the shin bones themselves again usually caused by 'over doing it'. Only thing to do here is rest. can take anywhere from 6 weeks to a few months to heal properly. You can confirm this through X-Rays

• Compartment syndrome. This is the one I have had personal experience with. usually occurring in the shin/calf muscles. It is when blood cannot escape from around the muscles and puts pressure on the nerves. To diagnose this a Dr can perform a compartmental pressure test. If rest doesn't help, and X-Rrays come back with nothing, its probably CS. Fix for this in general terms was surgery to release the muscle from its compartment. Relatively simple surgery

My suggestion is rest and ice. If it doesn't get better over 2-3 weeks see a Doc. If X-Rays come back with nothing asked to be referred to a Sports Physician. Best decision i ever made.

Hope that helps and good luck man.

i play football, and do full body ice soaks. If it's only your shins hurting, you could use a indoor trash can, and a 20 lb. bag of ice. Just fill, add ice, swirl around for a second or two, then submerge legs up to the knees for ten to fifteen minutes. Grab a stop watch to keep track of the time, you will definitely think you have been in longer than you really have.

I find that that stretching takes my shin splints away. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and with your right hand bend down n pull up your left toe n strech for ten second and then switch. Once I got on this and kept up with it I never got them again. Hope it helps,GL. DD