Shin pains: stress fracture or shin splints?

[13huagra]

Hi, I am a competitive jump roper, gymnastic tumbler and run track in high school. I practice 4-5 hours everyday or every other day of hard core physical activity. For the past month have been experiencing sharp pain on the inner side of the bone of my shin bone. The pain is like a wave that will come and go and have experienced loss in power when jumping. When I press on the spot there is pin pointed pain. The pain increases with exercise and when no doing physical activity , there is still slight pain and it is pulsing and is always on the same point.
i have tried:
ice bucketing and ice massaging after physical activity
and heating before
and taping my shins

but the pain continues and it has been over a month. Is there anyway i can find out if it is a stress fracture or shin splints with out getting a costly x ray?

[Maria RN]

Imaging procedures such as x ray are important in determining the underlying problem. You can only get proper treatment once an accurate diagnosis is made. I strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor to find out what has been causing your symptoms and whether there's a need to restrict your physical activities.