Educational Articles

Six Reasons to Realign the Big Toe

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Disclaimer:

The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.

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Comments
May 02, 2015
Derrick Elliott Jr

How will I know when I’m finished with correct toes

May 08, 2015
Natural Footgear

Hi, Derrick,

Thank you for your comment. You pose an excellent question. I think it’s important to keep in mind that toe and foot problems often occur over a very long period, and so it’s most likely that the recovery or rehabilitation process will also take some time. Please view the following article to learn more about Correct Toes results and expectations:

www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/product-info/17922240-correct-toes-results-expectations

Kind regards,
Marty Hughes, DC

July 04, 2016
Joan Taggart

Many thanks for your generous sharing of information. I want to try hard to avoid surgery. My big toes are badly out of line, and I am already using Correct Toes and Lems shoes. I would greatly appreciate the info about the bunion stretch. I will work hard to make it work. Thank you in advance!

July 04, 2016
Natural Footgear

Hi, Joan,

Thank you for your message. And thank you for the positive feedback. Much obliged!

I have included some resources below that discuss natural approaches to bunions and achieving optimal foot health. I think you may find these links helpful:

Big Toe Stretch:
www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/17856416-big-toe-stretch

Free e-course on Bunions:
www.naturalfootgear.com/pages/do-you-have-foot-pain

Bunions: Conventional vs. Natural Approaches:
www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/17856712-bunions-conventional-vs-natural-approaches

Please let us know if you have any additional questions. We are here to help!

Kind regards,
Laura Trentman

August 02, 2016
Eva Grayzel

What is your opinion about just using a single toe spacer between the big toe and second toe, where the problem is? At least work up to wearing the full toe separator device. Also, would you recommend wearing the toe spacers all the time? Thanks for a very informative article.

August 02, 2016
Natural Footgear

Hi, Eva,

Thank you for your comment. We don’t typically recommend wearing just one spacer, or even part of a spacer on one foot (unless modifications to the device are required). Correct Toes is intended not only to splay the toes, but to do so in an anatomical (as opposed to an arbitrary) fashion. The device is also designed to improve foot and toe circulation, balance, and general foot health.

To start, we recommend a gradual introduction to the device. Wear your Correct Toes for about 30 minutes per day at the start and then slowly increase wear-time (by about 30 minutes per day) as they begin to feel more natural on your feet. Correct Toes works best when used during weight-bearing activity, so walking and doing activities while wearing your Correct Toes will help accelerate toe realignment and other benefits associated with the device.

I hope this information helps! Please feel free to email us directly with any further questions. In addition, I have included some resources below that you may find helpful:

Correct Toes Q&A:
www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/product-info/36584197-correct-toes-q-a

Free Correct Toes e-Course:
www.naturalfootgear.com/pages/do-you-want-to-learn-more-about-correct-toes-toe-spacers

Correct Toes and Circulation:
www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/36183429-correct-toes-circulation

Correct Toes vs. Other Toe Spacers:
www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/product-info/17922312-correct-toes-vs-other-toe-spacers

Kind regards,
Laura Trentman

February 08, 2018
Kaila June

Hi! I have a client who has excessive pronation and knee valgus. I am working with her to restore muscle length tension relationships and proper biomechanics through corrective exercise. However, she also has painful and limiting capsulitis of the 2nd metatarsal. Do you think toe spacers would be a good intervention for her? Thanks!

February 08, 2018
Natural Footgear

Hi, Kaila,

Thank you for your comment! In our experience, we’ve found that Correct Toes toe spacers (www.naturalfootgear.com/collections/correct-toes) can be a very effective tool in treating capsulitis. Metatarsal pads (www.naturalfootgear.com/products/pedag-metatarsal-pads) or Strutz foot pads (www.naturalfootgear.com/collections/strutz-foot-pads) can also be very helpful for this purpose. These pads help guide the forefoot fat pad back to its intended (and protective) location beneath the metatarsal heads.

Another major consideration is addressing the possible causes of your client’s condition in order to prevent its recurrence. This video dives a bit deeper into the underlying causes of capsulitis:

www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/17853268-ball-of-foot-pain-conventional-vs-natural-approaches

I’ve included another link below to a detailed article on capsulitis that I think you might appreciate:

www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/17860972-capsulitis

I hope this info helps! If you have further questions, please do let us know.

Cheers,
Andrew Potter

October 22, 2018
Timothy Lamps

What brand/make of shoes are in the topmost picture, with the toe spacers and toe socks?

October 22, 2018
Natural Footgear

Hi, Timothy,

Thank you for your question. That would be Be Real Shoes. To the best of my knowledge, these shoes are no longer being manufactured. The closest alternative would be Vibram FiveFingers shoes.

I hope this info helps!

Kind regards,
Marty Hughes, DC

February 22, 2021
Nan MacPherson

I have a bunion that is affecting the alignment of my big toe. I have no pain in the area and wear sensible shoes. However, I have had lots of falls damaging most of my joints, and I would like to figure out if walking on four toes is the reason for the loss of balance. I can tell by my feet and shoes that I am not putting my foot flat on the ground, but instead walking partly on the outside of my shoes. Is there anything I could buy to push my big toe down to stop walking on the four remaining toes?

February 22, 2021
Natural Footgear

Hi, Nan,

Thank you for posting your comment and question. To help address the concerns you mentioned, I think the best approach here is to adopt a comprehensive strategy that seeks to realign all your toes and build a stronger, more functional foot overall. I recommend that you check out the various tools and tips that we’ve put together in the following article for how to get started on this path:

www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/educational-articles/10-best-natural-foot-health-tools-tips

Please send any additional questions you might have our way; we’re happy to help out however we can!

All the best,
Marty Hughes, DC

January 11, 2024
Art

I have a bunion that caused the hammering of my second toe. This hammertoe overlaps the big toe and sits partially on top of it. Will Correct Toes stay in place for me while wearing the device?

January 11, 2024
Natural Footgear

Greetings, Art! Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns about using Correct Toes for your specific foot situation and circumstances. We understand that dealing with bunions and hammertoes can be challenging, and we appreciate the opportunity to address your question. At Natural Footgear, we prioritize effective, comfortable, and noninvasive solutions for various foot and toe issues, and we’re committed to helping you restore optimal foot form and function using natural methods as best we can. In terms of the Correct Toes device itself …

Correct Toes is designed to help align the toes and improve overall foot function by promoting natural toe splay. While individual experiences may vary, many users have found success in using Correct Toes for conditions like bunions, hammertoes, and overlapping toes. The medical-grade silicone material of Correct Toes is flexible enough to adapt to the unique contours of each foot but also structured enough to maintain its shape and stay set in place during wear. Indeed, most people find that the spacers remain rooted while wearing them, but there are a few simple things you can do—such as wearing them within a conventional sock, wearing them with toe socks inside an appropriately wide toe box shoe, and/or using two thin velcro straps to secure the device to your big and little toes—if you find the spacers shifting on your toes.

It’s important to note that individual foot anatomy and shoe fit can influence the device’s effectiveness. We always recommend wearing the spacers with Correct Toes-compatible footwear to ensure the best possible outcome (try performing the Shoe Liner Test before you buy, if possible). Additionally, consulting with a foot care professional can provide personalized advice based on your specific foot conditions. We value your trust in Natural Footgear and want to ensure you have a positive experience with the products we offer. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to submit another comment here or send us a message via our website’s contact form: www.naturalfootgear.com/pages/contact. We’re here to assist you on your journey to healthier and more functional feet!

Yours in Foot Health,
Drs. Marty & Robyn Hughes

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