Ongoing mystery Calf/Shin pain

[Willo15]

I had a lot of trouble last season (rugby) with shin splints and generally poor flexibility - I stopped playing completely in March and saw a specialist/physio. I did a lot of work which has greatly improved my flexibility and also did no impact work which loosened up my calves and eliminated my shin pain. However when I tried to become more active during the summer I could feel more tenderness on the shin bones as before (is this normal after shin splints?) - I was advised to get insoles as I was told I overpronated - I wore them for around two weeks and did no physical activity(only walking) and all of a sudden my calves became very tight and knotted especially deep in my calves and my peroneal muscles so I stopped wearing the insoles. It's been around two months now and no matter how much stretching and self massage work (rolling on a tennis ball etc) I do, the knots aren't going away. I,ve tried swimming, light running, rowing etc to loosen them up as well ice/heat contrasts but the knots remain even though my calf/achilles flexibility/mobility is good and get no pain when weight training or running lightly. My first thought is that the insoles (arch supports) messed up my biomechanics and caused the stiffness/knots but I don't understand why they haven't dissapeared after removing the insoles. I've been told by a doctor since that my arches are fine and don't require insoles.
When I stand relaxed my feet/arches do collapse but once I contract my glutes and vastus medialis (externally rotate the femur) my arches 'pop' up so I've been doing a lot of strengthening/acticvation work for these muscles.
Is there any advice you can give me as I can't afford to go back to see more specialists who will insist on a large number of expensive appointments!!!!
should I just do a lot of exercise for the lower leg muscles i.e. plantarflexion/inversion/eversion etc with resistance bands???

any help would be great!!

[Heidi]

I would find out for definate what type of foot movement you have when you run and walk. Have you had a gait assessment or just had your feet looked at when you are standing still? I would advise you to get this done if you haven't already.

You do sound as though your are doing the right things in terms of stretching and self-massaging the calf muscles. Keep this up. The only other thing I can say is that sports massage will do wonders. Find out if there is a college near you where they teach it. If so they probably want people to practice on (supervised of course!). This is a much cheaper way of getting a massage!

Good luck!