Bunions are one of the most painful orthopedic issues that one can experience. Bunions – or bony lumps that form on the base of your toe joint due to an imbalance of pressure on the foot – can make daily activities difficult, such as walking, exercising, and even sleeping. Dealing with the aching pain of bunions with each step you take during the day is bad enough, but you shouldn’t have to experience throbbing bunion pain at night as well.
So, what can alleviate bunion pain symptoms while lying in bed trying to recharge your batteries for another day? Luckily, there are a few things you can try. Keep reading to learn about some of the best methods to alleviate bunion pain at night, so you can finally get a good night’s sleep.
Medication
One of the fastest ways to alleviate bunion pain at night time is by taking over-the-counter pain medication such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), or naproxen sodium (Aleve). While these medications cannot treat bunions at the source, they can help provide long-lasting relief from bunion pain so you can get a restful night of sleep.
Sleep With Splints
If you suffer from bunion pain and don’t have a splint or a brace, you are costing yourself sleepless nights that could otherwise go primarily undisturbed. Bunion splints are sold over the counter at many drugstores and can ease bunion pain at night, so you can finally get some rest. Utilizing a splint while you sleep can keep your bunion toe straight to alleviate some of the throbbing discomforts. Also, using a brace or splint can reduce friction and unwanted rubbing against your protruding bunion. Whether you’re using it at night or during the day, purchasing a splint is well worth the money when it comes to coping with bunion pain.
Apply Ice
Nobody wants to deal with throbbing bunion pain at night while trying to get their precious beauty sleep. Applying ice effectively silences the throbbing pain and reduces swelling, especially after spending a long day on your feet. Several ice packs can be used while sleeping; their cooling agents fight against inflammation. You can significantly reduce your overall discomfort by using an ice pack throughout the night—or even for a couple of hours during the day.
Late Night Stretching
One of the simplest ways to reduce throbbing bunion pain at night is by implementing a late-night stretching routine into your life. Plenty of different bunion exercises keep the toe flexible and increase mobility, along with relaxing the muscles right before bed to eliminate tightness. Some quick and easy stretches include curling and straightening your big toe with added pauses, clutching small objects with your toe and lifting or dragging them, pulling your toe lightly, or even making circular motions both clockwise and counterclockwise, among many others. Light stretching will help relax your muscles and loosen built-up tension right before bed, ensuring a more restful sleep. Plus, consistent stretching can help to prevent bunions from developing in the first place.
Shoe Inserts
Bunions are caused by an imbalance of pressure being placed throughout your foot. Padded shoe inserts can help distribute pressure evenly when you move your feet, reducing symptoms of bunion pain and preventing your bunion from worsening. In addition to wearing shoe inserts to ease bunion pain, be sure to wear comfortable shoes that provide your feet and toes with plenty of room to stretch to relieve bunion pain and avoid further complications from developing.
Throbbing bunion pain at night can disrupt your sleep schedule and prevent you from getting the rest you need, leading to many other problems. By utilizing resources like ice packs and bunion splints and implementing toe stretches into your nightly routine, you will be putting yourself on the path of recovery for endless hours of sleep.
Still experiencing bunion pain and difficulty sleeping at night? It might be time to contact a medical professional about possibly undergoing bunion removal surgery. While over-the-counter medication and tools such as splints, shoe inserts, and ice packs can help alleviate bunion pain symptoms, these methods do not treat bunions at the source. Removing bunions through surgery is often the only way to relieve pain once and for all.
Want to learn more about your options for treating throbbing bunion pain at night? At Northwest Surgery Center, we can assist you in managing your condition and eliminating it. Our professionals have performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures, and you could be next. Just give us a call at 800-873-1060 or contact us today to get started!
