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Custom orthotics
Achilles problems may not be fixed by stretching/warm up if the root cause is the shape of your foot and your stride. To get this checked go to a professional. Sports medicine department at the local clinic worked best for me. I originally got my custom orthotics about 10 years ago when I started training for my first marathon. Most places will take a mold of your foot either by a foam process or a cast process. Orthotics are then designed to correct the flaws in your foot and stride to relieve the extra work for your achilles and the pain goes away.
Stretching/warming up properly deal with the symptoms to some extent but not necessarily the cause. My orthotics cost between $350-400 but between our joint insurance coverage the cost to me is less than $100, very much worth it. My current athletic type orthotics are made of silicon with a leather insole attached. My previous orthotics were made by a non-sports medicine provider, more of a generic common provider and were bulkier but tended to break down after a couple of years but they also relieved the pain.
I don't need to wear my orthotics for everyday use but wear them when I run, officiate or play basketball. Hiking, backpacking and other walking type activities don't cause me any problems without the orthotics.
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