If you’ve ever experienced pain on the bottom of your foot, it may be because you have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of your foot, around your heel, and arch; most usually describes it as that classic stabbing pain in the heel. The condition can worsen over time if left untreated, luckily, toe separators for plantar fasciitis can help.
Plantar fasciitis is actually pretty common. Injury, habits like wearing pointy-toed shoes; and genetics can all cause painful foot issues, like hammertoes, bunions, and plantar fasciitis that can lead to cramps and reduce your activity over time. Most people turn to the same treatment options including rest, ice, and maybe some stretching. However, when things don’t seem to get any better, that’s where toe separators come into play.
Whether you have been experiencing the symptoms for a few days or a few months, toe separators are a great way to stretch the small muscles around the toes as well as the toes themselves. This fairly inexpensive way to reduce pain in your feet and toes can definitely be of great help when dealing with these painful foot problems, including plantar fasciitis.
As you can tell by now, toe separators for plantar fasciitis are a wonderful product that can reduce stress on the plantar fascia and potentially could also make the feet stronger. Therefore these can really make a difference in improving your pain.
Let’s face it, you are not going to stop wearing your favorite heels, so for some, plantar fasciitis is inevitable. But finding the best toe separators for plantar fasciitis can mitigate your discomfort and improve the condition.
It is safe to say that if you suffer from plantar fasciitis, trying out toe separators is definitely worth it as they offer numerous benefits. If you wish to learn more about it, understand how they work, where you can find them, tips, reviews, and more, continue reading this guide about toe separators for plantar fasciitis.
Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis Quick List
- Best Overall Toe Separators: Mind Bodhi Toe Separators
- Bestsellers on amazon: YogaToes GEMS Gel Toe Stretcher & Toe Separator
- Best Affordable Toe Separators: Agile Toes: Toe Separator
- Best for Nighttime Toe Separators: YOGABODY Naturals Toe
- Best Gel Therapeutic Toe Separators: ViveSole Toe Stretchers Separators
How To Choose The Perfect Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis For You?
When choosing products that can help alleviate foot pain, you need to consider important factors such as the quality of materials used, how they were designed, and how easy or difficult they were to use. Additionally, your toe separator for plantar fasciitis should exert a straightened force but should not cause discomfort.
You want to keep your eyes on separators that can be worn in a shoe as well as those that required you to stay off your feet. The model you choose should also match your lifestyle and types of shoes too.
Sometimes your toes have to work harder to stabilize your balance. As a result, people with too-flat or too-high arches tend to develop pain and discomfort more frequently. Proper padding for your arches can relieve symptoms, so look for toe separators that give the right amount of support.
Separators come in a variety of materials and styles, and they usually come in sizes small, medium, large, or extra-large to accommodate various sizes of feet. Some are meant to be used with shoes, and others without. Any shoes worn with them should be loose-fitting.
Price and budget were major factors, however, make sure you can find pain relief, even if your finances are a little tight.
Types Of Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Foam Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Foam and gel separators work similarly and are basically a thin board placed between the toes. Foam separators absorb friction and pressure and are usually made of several thin layers. They can usually be trimmed and are also washable.
Medical-Gade Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
The medical-grade gel is a fantastic option because it comes in fun colors and doesn’t irritate your skin. It’s also fairly comfortable and durable.
Gel Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Gel separators are similar to foam models, but contain a squishy material that releases a moisturizer, such as mineral oil. Both are intended for use in shoes and are washable and reusable.
Moleskin Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Adhesive moleskin and bandages may also be used to keep the toes apart. Users can simply cut the correct size strip and stick it between the toes. This cheaper alternative does not correct severely overlapping toes with the same effectiveness as products meant for that purpose, but it does help with friction.
Splints Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
These are made specifically for use at night and are not intended to be worn with shoes. These look quite similar to the separators used during a pedicure, and they are meant to train the toes into a correct position and provide some relief overnight.
Best Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis List
1. Mind Bodhi Toe Separators Plantar Fasciitis
Pros
- Gentle Correction
- Pain Relief
- Activewear Design
- BPA-Free
Cons
- Toes Might Get Sore
The toe separators for plantar fasciitis gently correct and restores the natural shape of toes and feet.
Modern footwear is designed for style, not function. As such, most footwear squishes your toes into unnatural shapes, which causes various forms of foot deformation, the most common of which are bunions.
These toe separators are made of gel, offering relief from bunions and relaxing tense muscles in your toes.
Comfortably wear these gel toe spreaders as you walk or lounge around. These are also podiatrists recommended. Toe correctors are designed for men and women to reverse toe damage.
What Our Testers Say
This product is soft, durable, and helpful. The only thing I would caution Is to work your way into wearing them. I have neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and severe tendinitis in both feet. So I am always looking for pain relief. I could only handle them for about 3 hours at first.
So I suggest wearing it for 2-3 hours for several days then slowly increasing 30 minutes every few days. I cans now handle them die about 6-7 hours. It helps relieve joint and tendon pain. Highly recommend.
Start reversing years of damage caused to your toes from your restrictive footwear, in a safe and natural way. Without invasive surgery or awkward footwear. Simply slip them on, go about your day and begin to notice a significant difference in how your toes look, move, and feel.
Easy to clean BPA free foot care products made from 100% medical-grade gel
Tips
The toe correctors help straighten my toes a little, but you have to consistently wear them for them to help to ease any discomfort of your toes.
2. YogaToes GEMS: Gel Toe Stretcher And Toe Separator For Plantar Fasciitis
Pros
- Open-Top Design
- Medical-Grade Gel
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Pricey
If you are suffering from Bunions, Hammer Toes, Plantar Fasciitis, or Chronic Foot Pain, YogaToes GEMS are a must.
Endurance, balance, and mobility all depend on well-functioning toes. GEMS soothe aching feet and strengthen neglected, weak toes fixing foot problems naturally. The toe separators for plantar fasciitis have an open-top design that allows for more flexibility and a customized stretch.
Begin wearing YogaToes GEMS for 15 minutes per session and increase up to an hour. At first, you may feel some soreness. Just like with all exercise, that’s normal.
What Our Testers Say
I have had ongoing Plantar Fasciitis for a year now. I have tried everything from shots straight into the fascia, to physical therapy, oral steroids, different gadgets, shoes, ortho, and massagers to no avail. I thought heck I’ve tried everything else, let me try this too.
I have gotten so much relief in the last 48 hours that it’s unbelievable! I can only hope and pray as I use the yoga toes more that it keeps healing. I’m just in awe that I didn’t have to hobble everywhere yesterday!
YogaToes GEMS are made exclusively with 100% hypoallergenic, medical-grade gel. We make sure there are never any harmful substances like BPA, lead, or similar toxic materials in YogaToes.
As with any conditioning program, Gems might be uncomfortable at first. This most often means your feet really need them.
Tips
Start slow. Begin wearing Gems for 10-15 minutes a day & build gradually up to an hour. For optimum results, use Gems consistently.
3. Agile Toes: Toe Separator For Plantar Fasciitis
Pros
- Toe Divider
- Therapeutic Relief
- Spa & Pedicures
- Men and Women
Cons
- Not Durable
These toe separators for plantar fasciitis are recommended by foot care professionals for gentle and holistic relief and gradual re-alignment of toes for bunions and a variety of toe problems.
These are non-bulky and lightweight which means this can actually be worn barefoot, with socks or wide-toed shoes – so light you sometimes forget you have them on!
What Our Testers Say
I wish I had bought these before I wasted my money on the ridiculously expensive CorrectToes brand I got from my doctor. These are WAY BETTER!!!! They actually stay on my toes!!! And they’re sooo soft and comfortable.
They can make my feet ache, but that’s to be expected because my feet have to adjust. So I just wear them a few hours a day while I’m active. I’ll increase wear time as my feet adjust. They’ve helped with my nerve pain (Morton’s Neuroma).
Made of highly durable and stretchable and soft material for a gentle but firm stretch, they feel cool and comfortable on the skin.
These are great for yoga, pilates, and after-sports stretch, as this help speed up recovery and improve blood circulation. Now you can undo years of tendon and ligament damage from high-heels, narrow shoes, football, and soccer boots, and impact from running, marathons, triathlons, and other sports.
Tips
Wear them to sleep and the chronic pain will start to lessen within a week.
4. YOGABODY Naturals Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Pros
- Latex-Free
- Nighttime Use
- Yoga Practice & Running
- Transparent
- Comfort Insole
Cons
- Rubber
- Pricey
Activewear toe separators for yoga, dance, running, and bedtime uses; were originally created to reverse lifelong buckled toes and tighten feet that were making it difficult to balance in yoga classes for example.
Awesome Toes naturally stretch your feet after a long day of work. Loved by anyone who wears high-heeled shoes, work boots, or spends all day on their feet.
What Our Testers Say
Easy to put in. Can already feel them working. Very comfortable- unlike others I have tried these can easily be worn while wearing shoes.
Buckled-up feet, overlapping toes, and even bunions and hammertoe can be caused by restrictive footwear and years of walking poorly. Awesome Toes! help stretch the shortened connective tissues of your feet so they regain their natural shape and range of motion.
AwesomeToes! can be used at night, while watching TV, while practicing yoga, and even in wide-toed athletic shoes for running.
Tips
Initially, aim to use it for one hour per day. Eventually, you’ll work up to four hours or more.
5. ViveSole Stretchers Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Pros
- Gel Therapeutic
- Correct Metatarsal Pain
- Cushion
- Comfortable
Cons
- Toes May Cramp Up
Gently stretching and realigning your toes, the ViveSOLE toe separators provide exceptional relief from plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, and overlapping toes. Great for yoga, ballet, athletics, and even pedicures.
Reducing friction and painful pressure, the toe separators relieve toe and foot pain by realigning toes and supporting proper positioning. Great for reducing pain caused by claw toes, Hallux Valgus, crooked toes, bunions, and plantar fasciitis.
What Our Testers Say
My feet have been sore and achy since mid-pregnancy..and it didn’t stop with delivery. I was miserable every morning; did some research and saw these were recommended. I wear them once or twice a day for 30 min to an hour, and I’m shocked at the difference they’ve made!
When I first put them on I didn’t even think they were doing anything-you start to feel a stretch after a while. I would absolutely recommend trying these if you are experiencing foot soreness/stiffness.
Providing a gentle stretch to the tendons and ligaments in the toes and forefoot, the gel separators increase flexibility in the toes which can prevent foot-related issues and injuries. This also increases overall balance and posture. Circulation is also improved by gentle, sustained stretching.
Constructed with an ultra-soft silicone gel, the gel toe separators provide comfortable cushioning between each toe. The medical-grade gel is latex-free and resilient for extensive use. Reusable, each toe separator can be wiped down for easy cleaning.
Tips
The ridges should be facing down when you put them on. Your feet will look like duck feet when it’s worn correctly.
Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis Buying Guide
What Are Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis?
Toe separators also called toe spacers or toe stretchers, are made from silicone or gel material. They look similar to the foam toe holders that keep nail polish from smudging during pedicures.
They slip over all of your toes, placing a gel toe separator in between each toe. They are different than a single toe spacer worn around one toe.
How Does A Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis Work?
The plantar fascia or aponeurosis is a thick band of tissue found on the bottom of the foot and consists of 3 bands: central, lateral, and medial, all of which are further divided into superficial and deep fibers.
The central band, which is the largest and most commonly stressed band, originates from the medial plantar aspect of the heel and travels towards the toes eventually dividing into one horizontal ligament connecting the metatarsal heads and five slips, each of which inserts onto the base of the toes.
This diverse splitting off of the plantar fascia creates a powerful connection between the front of the foot and toe alignment with the back of the heel and plantar fascia.
The diverse splitting off of the plantar fascia creates a powerful connection between the front of the foot and toe alignment with the back of the heel and plantar fascia.
These forefoot fascial connections are where the magic of toe separators happens and creates an easy way to stretch the plantar fascia. Through consistent use of the best toe separators for plantar fasciitis not only do you support toe alignment but also increase blood flow to the plantar fascia, which is necessary for tissue healing.
Toe separators for plantar fasciitis work by helping to realign toes to their rightful position while providing a gentle stretch. To use them, you just slide each of your toes into the designated holes, and that’s it. In a few words, separating your toes not only helps stretch the surrounding structures but also allows for increased blood flow to the area, leading to improved recovery and healing.
Features To Look For In A Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Materials
Toe separators come in a few different types of materials, including stretch fabric, foam, and medical-grade gel.
Stability & Mobility
Think about whether or not you want to walk when you’re wearing your toe separator. Some toe separators are meant for mobility, while others are not. You can also find toe separators that feature foot pads to help improve stability and cushion your foot.
Separation vs. Padding
Some toe separators are just meant for stretching and separating your toes, while others have both separating capabilities and padding. It’s important to find a toe separator with padding, especially if you have any calluses or bunions.
Fit
You could make things worse for yourself by wearing an orthotic that doesn’t fit properly too big and it could slide around, but too small and it could place too much pressure on the bones of your toes and feet, causing further injury. This is why the fit of your toe straightener is so important. If wearing it causes you pain or hurts after wearing them for just a short time, the fit may be to blame.
Make sure you use a toe separator for plantar fasciitis that fits snugly, without moving around, but doesn’t feel uncomfortably tight.
Arch and Toe Support
Proper padding for your arches can relieve symptoms, so look for straighteners that give the right amount of support. Toe straighteners that aren’t designed to be walked in won’t give your feet the support that they need and can even make matters worse if they aren’t used as recommended.
Single or Full Toe Separators
Toe spacers come in double, triple, quadruple, and full-toe designs. While double- and triple-toe separators spread two or three toes, full-toe separators are slipped over all the toes. Opt for an open or a closed-toe loop design that fully encloses the toes.
When and Where it will be Worn
There are several ways to encourage hammer toes to stretch and straighten out, but not all of them can be worn with shoes or as you go about your daily life.
If you need to wear one during the day, you’ll need to choose a style that can be worn with shoes; if you only want to use one at night (or while you’re binging Netflix), you have more options.
Color
If you want toe separators that come in fun colors, gel toe separators are a wonderful option. They typically come in fun colors like greens, purples, or blues.
Easy To Clean
Toe separators can get dirty pretty quickly, especially if you wear them regularly. Make sure to find a model that is fairly easy to clean. Most gel toe separators can be washed by hand with water and soap. Fabric toe separators need to be completely dry before wearing again to prevent any mold from growing.
Size
Larger types like YogaToes are meant to be worn barefoot and while off your feet, you can just pop them on while watching TV, and let them do their thing while smaller models with a flatter profile can be worn in shoes.
Pricing
Toe separators range in price from about $5 to more than $25. The most basic gel toe separators cost about $5, while the midrange toe separators range in price from $10-$25 and the high-end toe separators go for $25 or more.
Common Questions About Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
How can toe separators for plantar fasciitis help?
Toe separators can provide an extra line of defense against foot injuries like bunions and hammer toes, but more importantly, they may be able to help prevent plantar fasciitis. This common running injury is caused by damaging the thin band of tissue that connects the heel bone and toes. Toe separators help by keeping your toes spread apart more often, which helps boost the blood flow in the area of the plantar fascia, which can increase healing.
What are the benefits of toe separators for plantar fascitis?
They conform to your toes to separate them so they do not overlap, and work to release pressure and realign the toes where needed. The benefits extend past the toes and to the rest of the foot as well.
Toe separators help by keeping your toes spread apart more often, which helps boost the blood flow in the area of the plantar fascia, which can increase healing.
Toe separators for plantar fasciitis are extra-helpful for realigning the toes of those who shove their feet into confined spaces, the separators offer additional benefits, too. According to experts, these are a great way to stretch the small muscles around the toes as well as the toes themselves, which in return help in treating plantar fasciitis.
Toes function best when they’re mobile and spread out. The big toe plays a significant role in foot mechanics and balance. Cramped toes can lead to pain and dysfunctional movement, not only in the foot and ankle but also further up the body. Gel toe separators can help stretch cramped tissues and relieve pressure.
Toe spreaders can be used for general foot pain relief, bunion pain, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, or to improve alignment and foot strength.
Is it ok to use a toe separator while working out?
You can! However, you might need to wear shoes with extra room in the toes for a more comfortable workout. You should also make sure that you clean your toe separators more regularly, and keep in mind that your toe separators will wear out faster if you wear them while working out.
You can sometimes wear a toe separator while working out, depending on your shoes and the design of your toe separator. You can wear triple-toe and double-toe separators, as well as some full-toe models composed of soft gel, while you’re working out.
Can toe separators stop cramps in your foot and toes?
Toe separators can stretch and improve your tendon and muscle flexibility over time, which helps relieve toe and foot cramps. Toe separators are not a cure for cramps, but they can definitely help decrease the amount of cramping.
How long should you wear your toe separator?
Some toe separators, particularly toe separators models meant to reduce pain and cushion your toes, are comfortable enough to wear regularly without any issues. That being said, if you have toe separators that are meant to stretch your toes, you probably shouldn’t wear them all of the time.
Instead, you should wear the toe separators for only about 10 minutes at a time at first, then you can gradually lengthen the amount of wearing time. Other people choose to only wear toe separators overnight. You can test out what works best for you and your toes.
Are toe separators and toe trainers the same?
Toe trainers serve the same purpose as separators, in that they reduce friction and promote alignment. These trainers are small, cotton, covered foam splints that slide over the defective toes. They provide the strength of an overnight splint but can be worn under shoes.
Are toe separators and toe socks the same?
Toe socks perform a similar purpose as bandages and are basically fabric-based socks that slip over each toe separately. They can be found in full or small socks that cover only the balls of the feet and allow the ends of the toes to be free.
Enjoy Your New Toe Separators For Plantar Fasciitis
Think about it, your toes and feet bear your full body weight with every step, so flexibility is no small issue. Give your feet some needed loving care and get yourself the best toe separators for plantar fasciitis you can find. Remember, the key is to keep your feet strong, flexible, and healthy.
Now that you know the numerous benefit of toe separators, we hope your pain relief journey for toe separators for plantar fasciitis gets much easier. So feel free to pick any of the top models listed in this guide.
Let us know about any doubts or comments via message. We are always happy to hear from you.
