Here at Smart Feet, we are fond of anything that lets us do 2 things at once and bed time is the perfect time for that! We aren’t just resting when we’re sleeping, we are repairing and building for the next day. Unfortunately for some, they can also be causing themselves pain by what goes on in their bed. So, we’ve collected some of the things that we can do while sleeping. Some may apply to you and others won’t but if you want to get some things done while you sleep, here is a list of possibilities:
Gout, toe tingling, peripheral nueropathy,1st toe and 1st metatarsal pain, Hallux rigidus and Hallux limitus: These are all forefoot and toe issues and those with them are not always aware of how the tightness of bed sheets and covers affects them. Gout attacks make that part of the foot highly sensitive to touch so they need that area above their feet clear just to get to sleep!
For toe tingling and numbness, some have peripheral neuropathy but others don’t. In both cases, the first thing to do is check the tightness of the bed sheets and covers! When they are too tight, circulation gets cut off as the toes become bent overnight and that will cause or add to numbness and tingling.
For those with big toe and 1st metatarsal issues, such as arthritis in the joints or Hallux rigidus or Hallux limitus, bed sheets that are too tight exert overnight pressure at the exact part of the foot that is sensitive. Loosening the sheets can help reduce pain in those joints.
One way to loosen the bed sheets is to………loosen them! The feet need to point toward the sky without bending or undue pressure at the toes and forefoot. If you can do that by just loosening the sheets and covers, then it’s done. However, here are 2 other ways to do it: 1) Place a pillow or other object at the foot of the bed so the sheets are lifted up. 2) The other is a “blanket lifter” or similar name. It comes in a variety of adjustable sizing. The picture below shows how it fits under the box spring and how the sheet and covers clear the feet. Unlike the picture, however, you can put your sheet and covers over the top of the lifter so you aren’t left without covering at the foot of the bed.
Bunion and toe stretching: There are devices that stretch the toes and forefoot that are worn at night. Those with bunions say the bunion regulator helps slow progression of the bunion, including pressure from the toes pressing together. The Snoosy, a stretching device for the toes, can be worn either at night or during waking hours and it nicely stretches the toes and forefoot.
Heel pain: If you’ve ever had the heel pain of plantar fasciitis, you know what “first step pain” is. We recommend the BioOrthotics supports for this condition. It is especially helpful to keep these in a pair of slippers or shoes at your bedside or inside a pair socks that you wear to bed. When you do this, your “first step” will not have “pain” attached to it. You’ve protected that fascia at the heel by letting the orthotic safely stretch the plantar fascia when you take that first step. It speeds healing too.
There are night splints for treatment of the heel pain from plantar fasciitis that stretch the foot overnight to reduce heel pain. It has worked for some, but we recommend the arch support as the splints are bulky and not as effective as the BioOrthotic supports.
Skin care: This the most obvious since skin creams are applied to the face at night and the same principles apply. Our feet need regular moisturizing just as the rest of our skin does. Bed time is the perfect for it. When lotion is applied during the day, it causes slipping in the shoes and that is uncomfortable as well as dangerous. Calluses can be softened when the lotions or creams are used at bedtime. Placing a sock over the lotioned foot works. For heel softening and callus control there is the heel sleeve, a good way to quickly soften hard callusing on the heels.