WHY NIGHTTIME MATTERS!
Hey everybody, and welcome back!
Today I’ve got my little assistant Lily Ray and Mr. Bob helping me talk about something we see all the time—kiddos developing tightness in their Achilles tendon and calf muscles!
Whether it’s a child with cerebral palsy or a kiddo who just loves walking on their toes, spending too much time up on those toes can lead to tightness pretty quickly.
Daytime braces can be super helpful, but here’s the problem: what happens when they go to sleep?
Most of us naturally sleep with our ankles pointed down, which can contribute to that tightness. That’s why nighttime stretching and positioning can be such an important part of the game plan.
A SIMPLER NIGHTTIME BRACING OPTION
Nighttime braces have been around for a long time, but getting kiddos to actually wear them can be a challenge.
Sometimes they’re complicated, uncomfortable, or the straps get pulled too tight. And when a kiddo wakes up uncomfortable in the middle of the night, nobody’s getting much sleep!
That’s where I’ve really been liking the Turtle Brace.
A few reasons I like it:
- Custom fit: It’s an off-the-shelf brace that we heat and mold directly to the child’s leg.
- Quick and simple: The fitting process only takes a few minutes once the brace is heated.
- Nighttime positioning: It helps hold the ankle in a more neutral or upward position instead of letting it stay pointed down all night.
- Easy to use: A simpler option that may make nighttime bracing more manageable for families.
DON’T LET NIGHTTIME UNDO THE PROGRESS!
The big takeaway here is that what happens at night can be just as important as what we’re doing during the day.
If we’re working hard to improve ankle flexibility and positioning during the day, we want to help maintain that progress overnight, too.
For the right kiddo, adding a nighttime brace like the Turtle Brace may be a great way to help manage tightness and support the overall treatment plan.
If nighttime bracing isn’t part of your game plan yet, it might be worth considering!
Have questions about the Turtle Brace or nighttime stretching options? Give us a call—we’re always happy to help!
Catch you next time!
Dave