That's the odd thing is that mine doesn't hurt first thing in the morning. I did sleep with the night splint last night that I borrowed from my friend. She said that it really helped her. I didn't notice a difference this morning, but I will probably keep trying it for another week or so. My sister, who is a massage therapist, worked on my food this afternoon and thinks that my problem is more in the ankle area. I'm going to look for some stretches to do for that also.