Unsure if you need to use toe spreaders? Think of a duvet.
Yes, yes. A duvet.
Imagine it’s the end of winter and you’re putting away all your warm stuff. Since you’re very smart and you know how to save space, you keep your duvet in an air-tight bag. That bag compresses the duvet so that it takes less space than it would in its normal state.
Saving space is great when talking about your wardrobe, but how does it sound if I tell you to do the same to your feet?
Unluckily for most of us, that’s how we’ve (unconsciously) been treating our feet. Chances are that if you take a look at your toes now, you’ll realize they’re not naturally shaped.
Let’s do a test. Look at the following two images and compare them to your feet. Which of the two do your feet look more like?
On the left: narrow forefoot and unstable toe position.
On the right: healthy feet with well-aligned toes.
“Are my feet really shrinking?”
It’s completely normal that you hadn’t realized before that your feet are more narrow than they used to be (or than they should be). But think of how many years you’ve been keeping them inside a sock and a shoe.
Yes, shoes are very useful but they have their downside too: they keep your feet trapped in an item that’s more narrow than your forefoot.
So what happens after years and years of having your toes trapped for the most part of your day?
You guessed it: your toes are compressed, forced to get closer to one another. That compression changes the shape of your feet, and by consequence, they end up “shrinking”.
In result, what you get over the years is rigid compressed feet that create an unstable walking base. This can have a tremendous effect in your health and your body’s day-to-day functions (like balance and posture).
Don’t panic too soon though! As well as it’s important that you realize the importance of having healthy feet, you’ll also be happy to read that there’s an easy fix to this problem. They’re called toe spreaders and today you’re gonna learn everything about them!
What are toe separators exactly?
If you thought toe spacers are only used for the correct application of nail polish, you’re wrong. Toe separators are an amazing tool that helps increase the space between toes. When you use toe spreaders regularly you will get many benefits.
Now you probably have a million questions:
How long does it take for toe separators to work?
What are the specific benefits?
Can I wear toe spreaders all day?
Can they help with bunions, plantar fasciitis and other conditions?
You’ll find the answer to all these questions (and more) in this article. So keep reading!
Important FAQ before you start to use toe spreaders
What are the benefits of wearing toe spacers and how long until I see results?
Toe spacers have lots of advantages! The main one being they help your foot go back to its natural shape, with your toes well spread. This, in return comes with:
– Better balance. When you use toe spacers, your weight is spread out evenly over your feet, which helps you gain stability. This is great for standing, walking, exercising and improving posture.
– Better blood flow. Have you ever wondered why your feet are always cold? One explanation could be poor circulation. Toe spacers can help with that since it’s been proved they boost toe blood flow.
– Stronger feet. When your toes are well spread thanks to the use of toe spacers, your foot muscles activate easier, and your arches get stronger.
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Can I use toe spreaders all day long?
If you do it properly and respect your body’s timings, you can ultimately wear them for most of your day! Still, make sure you learn how to work up to this level of wear time by reading step number 4 of the next section How to use toe spreaders: The Step-By-Step Guide.
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Can toe separators help with bunions, plantar fasciitis and other conditions?
When you use toe spreaders, you’re helping your toes get back to their natural shape and alignment. This plays a huge role in preventing problems like bunions, flat feet, hammer toe, etc.
Furthermore, toe spacers have an immediate effect in decreasing the pain caused by these issues. In fact, research shows that wearing toe spreaders with custom shoe insoles is more effective in decreasing pain than other solutions.
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Now that we’ve covered the main FAQ, we’re ready to delve into the proper use of toe spreaders, so let’s take a look at the step-by-step process on how to properly wear them!
HINT : Pay special attention to step number 3 because most people get it wrong!
How to use toe spreaders: The Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1. Choose the right toe spreader
There are different types of toe separators so, before you begin, make sure you get the right ones for your feet (and your wallet!).
Beware that most toe spreaders come in just one size so, even though they’ll most likely fit you, it’s important that they’re adequate for your feet! You may also start by getting a low-cost pair of toe spacers and, over time, evolve to more sophisticated ones.
The spacers should fit comfortably between your toes without being too loose. At the beginning, they can cause a feeling of tightness but they should never feel painful.
Let’s review 6 of the most common toe spreaders in the market!
Sibba Toe Separators
These are mainly pedicure toe separators although they could work as a beginner-level toe spreader. They won’t allow you to walk or move around while wearing them, but you can use them when resting and sitting down to test out how your toes feel.
These are not the most adequate when trying to solve orthopaedic issues like bunions, toe deformities, hammer toes, etc., but they can relieve pain and discomfort.
Promifun Toe Separators
The biggest advantage of these toe spreaders is that they fit in most shoes and socks. They’re a good option for when you only have an issue in 1 or 2 toes, not the whole foot.
The downside part is that if they’re a bit too big for your toes, they might move and, therefore, not be fully effective.
If they fit well, you’ll be able to wear them for longer periods than the Sibba Toe Separators since these ones allow you to walk and move.
Welnove Toe Separators
These toe spreaders are best suited to solve problems on the smaller toes.
As noted with the Promifun toe separators, these toe spreaders could also fit loose on thin toes. However, they have a loop flat around the toe that helps to keep them in place.
Pedimend Toe Separators
These are high-shaped toe spreaders designed for orthopaedic purposes like bunion correction and pain relief, as well as for big toe spreading.
They might not be very comfortable when worn with shoes or walking.
Mroobest Toe Separators
These low-shaped spreaders are a great option for equal toe-spreading and alignment. They fit perfectly in a sock and work wonders when used with wide fitting shoes.
They’re also a great option for exercising.
ReachTop Toe-Separator Socks
This final toe separator alternative is probably not the best option for the summer. Nonetheless, this all-in-one solution is very handy for those who don’t want to start with a regular toe spreader.
Also, since the separators are incorporated in the sock, they stay in place, which makes them a great option for those who feel too lazy to wear too many things on their feet.
Step 2. Clean and dry your feet
Once you’ve gotten the perfect toe spreaders for your feet, it’s time to put them on.
This step might seem kind of obvious and irrelevant but it’s very important to stress it: make sure your feet are clean and dry before using toe spreaders. This will help prevent infection and irritation!
Step 3. Insert the toe spreaders (the right way!)
Putting toe spreaders on is very quick and easy: just gently slide them between your toes, starting with the largest toe and working your way to the smallest. Once in place, make sure all your toes are properly spread out and confirm you’re not feeling any discomfort.
But…BEWARE! Most people wear their toe spreaders the wrong way. They’re moulded in a specific way that follows the natural shape of your foot so it’s important that you place them properly.
To help you with that, here you have a video by Grown & Healthy where he shows exactly how to wear them:
Step 4. Use toe spreaders for the recommended amount of time
Slow but steady wins the race.
You should start by using your toe spreaders for a short period of time (around 30 minutes) each day. After a few days -and as long as they don’t cause any pain-, you can gradually increase usage time.
You can wear them while sitting, standing, walking and even exercising. Use them barefoot as much as you can, but also when wearing footwear -especially if you have foot-shaped shoes!
Once your feet are used to the toe spreaders, you can wear them for several hours each day (about 5-6 hours), or even for most of the day!
Anyhow, keep in mind that it’s not recommended to wear them overnight.
Step 5. Remove and clean
Once you’re done wearing your toe spreaders, gently remove them and wash your feet to get rid of any sweat or dirt that may have accumulated.
Toe spacers are generally very easy to wash as well. Use a little bit of soap and water after each use and you’ll be able to reuse them for days on end.
Step 6. Be consistent
Even with an easy and quick fix like toe spreaders, consistency is key. To get the most benefits, it’s important to use them regularly and in the right way.
Remember the steps we’ve talked about in this post and be patient.
Your healthier feet are just one step away!
Final tips on how to use toe spreaders
Now that you’ve learned how to properly wear toe spreaders, you’re ready to go back to Step 1 and choose the most suitable ones for you.
Here you have some extra advice for when you start your toe-spreader journey:
- Start slowly and increase usage gradually.
- Don’t get fancy. You can start by getting lower-cost toe spreaders to see how your feet like them, and after that, you can move on to more sophisticated options if you wish.
- Always check with your doctors first if you have any medical conditions. Toe spreaders aren’t a substitute for medical treatment.
- Consider adding foot exercises for maximum benefit. Strengthening and stretching your feet will help improve your balance, flexibility, and overall foot health even more.
So yes! Starting to use toe spreaders is one of the simplest things you can do for yourself today!
Wearing toe spreaders is such a low-cost and simple solution that we can all agree that they’re 100% worth a try!
Go get yours now, incorporate them into your daily routine and, just after a few days, you might be surprised at how much of a difference they can make!