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Optional taping method that's easier than rainmaker's suggestion:
1- Cut 5 strips of athletic tape, aprroxiamately the same length from your heel to the ball of your foot.
2- Hold the foot in a normal position, 90 degrees to the leg.
3- Start at the heel and tape like a chicken foot, from the heel to just below each toe.
4- Stretch the tape as tight as possible.
5- You can wrap a piece of tape around the ball and over the top of your foot.
6- Then tape around the sole of your foot, again, tightly.
This method is a little easier than the figure 8, especially if you're doing the taping without help. The podiatrist taped mine with the 8 bvut I never was as successful with it as he was. He showed me this alternate method, which works well. Basically, you're allowing the tape to do the work of the tendon.
Using the towle is also a good idea. Sit in a chair, loop the towel around the ball of your foot and pul backwards, stretching the tendon. This is especially useful after games, as that's when the tendon really tightens up.
Finally, if you don't have the custom orthotics, pick up a pair of Spenco as a local drugstore. These are made of hard plastic, not the cushy kind that seem like they woul be nice and soft. You need arch support, not softness.
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