Night Splints
A night splint works by holding the foot in a flexed position and stretching the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is the tissue band connecting the heel to the toes. When we sleep, the foot relaxes, and the plantar fascia becomes shorter. This can cause pain and stiffness when an individual wakes up because the tissue is tight.
A night splint keeps the foot in a flexed position so that the tissue doesn’t become too tight overnight. Therefore, it’s essential to wear it consistently every night to see results. Individuals with plantar fasciitis should also wear it for at least 6 hours per night, although they may need to wear it for longer periods at first.
One type of night splint for plantar fasciitis is a calf-stretching night splint. This night splint stretches the calf muscles and Achilles tendon as you sleep. This gentle stretching can help relieve pain and discomfort in the heel and Achilles tendon, which are often affected by plantar fasciitis. Calf stretching night splints are typically made from soft, comfortable materials and can be worn with or without socks.
