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(Side eyes my jacked-up baby toe.)
She is also a yoga instructor.
board-certified podiatrist and human movement specialist, and global leader in barefoot science and rehabilitation at the Center for Functional and Regenerative Podiatric Medicine
Wondering how the heck giving your toes a little breathing room could help you athletically?
What are toe spacers?
And indeed, some are made of the same squishy styrofoam material you see at the salon.
But more often these toe spreaders are made of stretchy silicone.
Put simply, they are designed to undo the damage that modern-day shoes inflict on our feet.
Naturally, our toes are meant to spread freely and widely, explains Dr. Splichal.
Beyond being cute, those little toes are super flexy!
Unfortunately, our feet lose that flexibility after spending hours upon hours upon years (!)
Over time, this restriction can cause mayhem in your feet, she says.
board-certified podiatrist and human movement specialist, and global leader in barefoot science and rehabilitation at the Center for Functional and Regenerative Podiatric Medicine
What are the benefits?
When worn routinely, they can help return your feet and toes to their natural alignment.
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And when your foot is back in its natural alignment?
Any pain resulting from joint and muscle misalignment and weakness can begin to subside.
People withbunionsmay also notice relief from toe spacers, she adds.
Greater power during any kind of sport that requires running, walking, or jumping.
First order of operations: Find a set.
A pair from brands likeJeobest Mind BodhiorThe Toe Spacerwont put you out more than 12 bucks.
But you dont need special equipment, says Dr. Kelley.
you’re able to even just take a sock and weave it in and out of your toes.
How should you start using toe spacers?
Begin with just 5 to 20 minutes per day, suggests Dr. Splichal.
Longer than that can sometimes be irritating to the toes.
As your toes adjust to the sensation and manipulation, you could gradually build up daily wear.
Reebok, Brooks, and New Balance are all known for being wider-set).
This is especially important if you have hammertoes, bunions, or any other underlying foot condition.
Failure to clean them can lead to odor and bacterial build-up, says Dr. Splichal.Ick.
If your specific set has cleaning instructions, follow those.
But soap and warm water will usually do the trick.
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