Whatever specific structures are injured in your heel to cause your pain, many people suffer great pain for those first few steps in the morning and after sitting for a period, this often eases (a little) after a period of movement.

This pain on rising from bed and rest is often because of swelling and increased tissue pressure in the heel area. When you are walking and standing your body weight applies a very effective compression on your heel tissues restricting the amount they can swell, through the repetitive re-injury of your footsteps. When you rest and take the weight and compression  of your heel for a while, the tissues swell and when you stand, it can be like walking on a “tense balloon of tissue fluid” in your heel.

Night splints hold your foot and ankle at right angles overnight (or for a period of time during the night) and restrict the swelling and subsequently reduce your morning pain. There may also be a medium to long- term rehabilative and strengthening effect on the tendon and fascial structures that are injured.

Adjustable Night Splint

Soft Night Splint