I have dealt with shin splints since I was 9. I am 33 now. I also have planter facitus. Both are painful. Luckily I don't have problems with my achiles.

I have 2 suggestions:

1)Don't just pay $80 for a good pair of shoes. You have to have your feet measured every time. That includes measuring the arch height. I just paid $135 for a pair of running shoes to walk and weight train in. I also got my new orthodics. What does this mean? Get measured properly and invest the money in shoes. Your feet will serve you much longer. Personally I like NewBalance because they come in widths.

2)You may need to invest in a foot stretcher. It stretches the achiles much more than you can. I got one after my 4th time in 2 years in PT because of leg pain. I have had those nice electrodes hooked up too. I know that is not the proper name--foot stretcher--but a good running store should get the idea. Mine is a semi-circle on the outside with a oplace for the foot--not flat--there is also a cut out for a good arch stretch. Wish I could remember the name of it.

Hope this helps.