Popular Q&A: Toes

At What Age Can Kids Start Wearing Correct Toes?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

This is a great question, and one that the team here at Natural Footgear often receives from curious parents. Quickly, though, before we dive into that topic, it’s important to note that long-term foot health is an incredible gift that parents can give to their children—a gift that will pay large quality of life dividends over time. It’s natural that parents want to ensure that their little ones put their best foot... Read more

Can Hallux Limitus Be Reversed or Improved Through Natural Means?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

While every case is unique and some individuals may have more advanced joint degeneration than others, we firmly believe that hallux limitus can often be significantly improved—and in some cases, substantially reversed—through natural, non-invasive means. At Natural Footgear, we've seen firsthand how powerful it can be when someone takes a proactive, holistic approach to foot health, especially when they catch the condition early or are willing to commit to consistent... Read more

Can I Wear Correct Toes in Popular Athletic Shoes?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

This is an important and frequently asked question, especially among those looking to combine the benefits of natural foot alignment with the performance of athletic footwear. At Natural Footgear, we advocate for tools and approaches that work with your body, not against it, and Correct Toes toe spacers are a cornerstone of that philosophy. Designed to realign your toes to their natural anatomical position, Correct Toes can yield remarkable improvements... Read more

Do Men Develop Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Bunions are often considered to be a female-specific foot problem, but the truth is, these deformities frequently occur in people of all genders and ages (apart from the very youngest in our society, at least until conventional footwear is adopted). For women who wear high-heeled footwear frequently throughout their life, the likelihood of developing a bunion is quite high. However, due to the flawed shape and construction of modern shoes,... Read more

Does Correct Toes Need to Sit at the Base of the Toes to Be Effective?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Some Correct Toes wearers may find that the spacers tend to sit a little further out on the toes, toward the ends of the toes, and this is perfectly fine. It does not in any way impact the effectiveness of the device or (for most people) how comfortable it feels on the toes. Many of the images showing the spacers in use have the device positioned near the base of... Read more

How Can I Treat Numbness in My Second Toe?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Numbness in the feet, including the second toe, may be the result of nerve impingement or nerve damage, and it can be caused by numerous health problems, including diabetes, Buerger's disease and other circulatory problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, and interdigital neuromas, among other causes. Diabetes is a common cause of foot numbness, and nerve damage is one of the principal consequences of diabetes. Alcohol consumption can increase the rate of... Read more

How Do I Track Foot Health Gains While Using Correct Toes?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

At Natural Footgear, we often say that foot health is a journey, not a destination. While Correct Toes is a powerful tool for realigning your toes, addressing a variety of common foot and toe problems, and restoring natural foot function, the changes they help create are often gradual and subtle at first. Tracking your progress can help you stay motivated and tuned in to the ways your body is responding.... Read more

How Does the Big Toe Affect Athletic Performance?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

The big toe plays a far more significant role in athletic performance than most people realize. Often overlooked in conventional training programs, this powerful digit is crucial for balance, propulsion, and overall movement efficiency. Whether sprinting, cutting, jumping, or stabilizing, a strong and mobile big toe provides the foundation for optimal biomechanics. Unfortunately, restrictive footwear and poor movement habits often limit big toe function, leading to diminished athletic potential and... Read more

Is Correct Toes Meant to Be Worn All Day?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

This is a question we often hear from folks beginning their journey toward optimal foot health. At Natural Footgear, we consider Correct Toes to be a tool for long-term transformation, not just a temporary fix. While the ultimate goal is to wear Correct Toes comfortably for extended periods—including all day, if possible—this outcome depends on the individual’s starting point. Factors such as foot structure, footwear choices, activity level, and how... Read more

Is the Little Toe a Vestigial Structure? Why or Why Not?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

A vestigial structure is an organ or physical attribute that has lost some, most, or all of its original or ancestral function but yet is still retained by members of a given species. Examples of vestigial structures in humans may include the palmaris longus muscle, the pyramidalis muscle, wisdom teeth, and the plica semilunaris (a fold of conjunctiva at the eye's inner corner). Suggesting that the little toe is a... Read more

What Are the Best Shoes for Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

While footwear alone is not likely to fully correct or heal a bunion, it can certainly have a massive impact on any bunion-related discomfort you experience as well as whether or not your bunion progresses and becomes more severe. The right footwear can also give you the best possible shot at rehabilitating your toes and restoring optimal foot health. So, paying close attention to the footwear you use on a... Read more

Why Do Some People Have a Longer Second Toe Than Big Toe?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Every set of feet is unique! Among the many possible foot characteristics that vary from person to person are: arch height, foot and toe width, and foot and toe length. Some people (probably somewhere between 20-30 percent of the population) possess an index toe (i.e., second toe) that is longer than the big toe. This is known as Morton’s toe, and it is hereditary. In most cases, the index toe... Read more