Shin/Toe cramps?

[OakLeaf]

hips aren't related to calves

I KNOW you've had enough bodywork and PT in the last few years that you know that isn't true! If your hips are getting that tight, I'd suspect they're part of the problem.

Not that stretching the calves and hips isn't a bad idea, but I'd focus more on stretching (and strengthening, too) the muscles that are cramping. Stretching only the opposing muscles won't help and might even aggravate the imbalance. Sitting or standing while holding something for balance, toes pointed, flipped down and "anchored" on the ground, then push the ankle forward until you feel the stretch in the anterior compartment; roll the ankle slowly to feel the stretch in different areas in the shin and the top of the foot.

Also strengthen the ankle and foot extensors with resisted toe raises (sitting on the floor with legs extended, with a stretchy band anchored to something opposite you, is an easy way).

But I'd stretch the hips, too, if you're noticing them being extra tight. Some of the hip muscles are hard to stretch in the car (unless you have a hatchback, and even then it can be awfully cold in winter), so probably it's best to warm yourself back up when you get home, either with a warm shower or bath or a short brisk walk around the parking lot, then do 20 or 30 minutes of stretching.

I'm also wary of drugstore brand supplements. There have been so many scandals. I'll spend a little more for a brand I trust. I'm partial to Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate 1:1. Solaray has calcium and magnesium supplements in a variety of formulas - the one I take has oxides as well as citrates, and since they don't specify, it's probably mostly oxides. But it comes in capsules that are both easy to swallow and easy to digest, and most importantly for me is the 1:1 ratio - when I'm sweating a lot, I need at least as much magnesium as calcium, and buying that one saves me from having to get an additional magnesium supplement. It also comes with or without vitamin D, which you might want in winter.