Anyone who regularly goes for a pedicure is familiar with toe spacers: plastic or foam pads that sit between the toes and prevent nail polish from wearing off.
But dr. Aaron Horschig, a Missouri-based physical therapist, author and strength coach, discovered that the tool has another, little-known benefit.
He says they can also be useful in the prevention and treatment of unsightly bunions.
About a third of Americans have a bunion – a bony bump that forms at the joint at the base of the big toe due to excessive compression of the bones of the foot.
The problem that can arise from wearing tight shoes can lead to bone deformity, pain and stiffness and there are limited treatment options.
In extreme cases, surgery is performed, which carries the risk of infection and requires weeks of recovery time.
But toe spacers, which cost less than $10 on Amazon, can prevent and even treat the problem in the first place, says Dr. Horschig.
“I’m a big fan of using toe spacers like Correct Toes, which are like braces to help align the toes with the metatarsals of your foot,” he said in a video on his TikTok channel .
The metatarsals are the long bones at the front of the feet that sit directly under the toes.
One in three Americans will be affected by bunions at some point in their lives, where the bones in the foot shift and cause a bump on the bottom of the toe. There are few treatment options other than surgery
According to dr. Horschig, toe spacers can “reduce the angle of an existing bunion” and relieve pain.
This is because over time they widen the top of the foot, forcing the legs to return to their normal position.
The claim appears to be supported by some research.
Spacers, or spacers, are used in pedicures to prevent nail polish from discolouring – but experts say they also serve a medical purpose
A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association found that wearing toe spacers for eight months reduced pain and increased flexibility in women with moderate bunions.
DR Hoschig gives another tip to bring the foot shape back to normal.
“Just buying wider shoes with a toebox that spreads the toes outward can reverse the negative reaction,” he says.
“We wear shoes that are way too tight and over time our feet get used to the shape of the shoe.”
Other experts recommend choosing shoes with a wide toe box (not pointed toes) and enough space between the tip of your longest toe and the tip of the front of the shoe.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
