Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (2024)

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Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (1)

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Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (2)

Question

I'm thinking about wearing my Correct Toes toe spacers at night. Is there any benefit to doing so? Any drawbacks?

—Submitted by Oliviafrom Las Vegas, NV

Our Answer

Somepeople do indeed wear their Correct Toes to bed as a “night splint” to help passively restore toe splay and address a variety of common foot and toe ailments.One other possiblemeritassociated with wearing Correct Toes during sleep is improved foot and toe circulation. Keeping your toes splayed at night can encourageoptimal foot blood flow, which means that blood can get into and out of your foot more easily, helping to wash away harmful metabolic byproducts that can accumulate over time and contribute to problems such as plantar fasciosis.

Anecdotally, some people also report that using Correct Toes as a night splint yields a variety of other benefits, including better sleep, less foot cramping, less foot pain upon awakening, etc. Not everyone who uses the device in this way may experience these benefits, but some people do and there is the possibility that you may too.That being said, one potential reason you might not want to use the spacers at night is that,while you're sleeping, you're not “aware” of your feet, and so if there's any numbness, tingling, or skin irritation that occurs, it could go unchecked, which can be problematic insomeinstances.*

  • Note: It's also common for the device to shift position and even work its way off the toes over the course of the night, whichoffsetsany potential benefits that may come from using the spacers in this way.

So, bottom line: For some people, wearing Correct Toes at night can be an okay option, and for others, not a good idea because of the lack of awareness thatoccurs during sleep.To get the most benefit out of your toe spacers, it's best to use them while weight bearing (i.e., standing, walking, or running)during your waking hours. The greatest corrective effect occurs when you wear your Correct Toes inside men's or women's footwear with an appropriately wide toe box and then participate in weight-bearing activities that impart forces through the joints and tissues of your properly splayed toes. Your tissues will adapt to these forces over time, and your toes will begin to spread out and your foot will become stronger.

Wearing Correct Toes while weight bearing is crucial in achieving long-lasting natural foot health, but there are a number ofother things you can do to help build a strong and resilient foot and enhance the effectiveness of the device. Key among these is performing specific foot exercises, including the Big Toe Stretch, theToe Extensor Stretch, and the Foot Arch Strengthening exercise.Choosing the appropriate footwear is also extremely important. And, finally,this article lists a number of the other top tools and strategies you can employ to bolster your foot health and function.

*Heavy top sheets, blankets, comforters, or duvets can have a significant impact onhow thedevice interacts with your toes overnight, so if you can't guarantee a force-free or even a low-force environment for your feet, it's probably best to simply avoid using Correct Toes while sleeping.

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.

About the Author

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (3)

Robyn Hughes, ND

Dr. Robyn Hughes is a naturopathic physician, or ND, with a special interest in natural foot health and sports medicine. After completing medical school at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Robyn trained extensively with renowned sports podiatrist and natural foot care specialist, Dr. Ray McClanahan. Dr. Robyn is a co-founder of Natural Footgear, a founding member of the Natural Foot Health Institute, a freelance health writer, and a regular speaker at foot care teaching events. Dr. Robyn lives in Asheville, NC, where she’s an avid road cyclist, trail runner, and yoga student.

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (4)

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Comments

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (13)

June 08, 2021

Carolyn

Dear Dr. Robyn, I wore Correct Toes at night for a while when my bunions were at their most tender and the weight of the blankets was too much for my feet. I wore Peds to keep the Correct Toes in place. More recently I’ve been wearing Correct Toes during the day, and my feet are getting stronger.

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (14)

June 08, 2021

Natural Footgear

Hi, Carolyn,

Thank you for your comment. I’m glad to hear that your feet are getting stronger since you’ve begun wearing your Correct Toes during the day! That’s great news. In terms of the issues you mentioned with using the spacers at night, some people will use a product that creates a little “tent for the feet” out of their bedsheets and blankets (to help remove the fairly substantial forces these bed linens can have on the feet). One such product available in the past was called Blanketbooster, though I’m not sure if it’s still in production. It appears that other, similar products now exist, though.

All the best,
Robyn Hughes, ND

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (15)

June 08, 2021

Cindy

I almost always wear my Correct Toes toe spacers to bed. I found that my toes experienced uncomfortable pressure from the weight of blankets (or even just a sheet), but when I wear my Correct Toes I don’t have that problem. And, yes, sometimes they work their way off, but at least I fell asleep first. The colorful ones are easier to find in the bed when I wake up!

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (16)

June 08, 2021

Natural Footgear

Hi, Cindy,

Thank you for sharing your experience with wearing Correct Toes at night! And you bring up a good point: The Aqua and Plum “splash” colors of Correct Toes are indeed a lot easier to locate among the sheets in the morning! Ha!

All the best,
Robyn Hughes, ND

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (17)

June 09, 2021

Donna

I just ordered gel toe separators. Unfortunately, none of my existing sneakers fit over them. The shoes are too tight!

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (18)

June 09, 2021

Natural Footgear

Hi, Donna,

Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry to hear that none of your existing shoes are able to accommodate Correct Toes! It’s essential that you pair your Correct Toes with footwear that possesses a sufficiently wide toe box to house the spacers. Footwear that’s too tight or too tapering in the toe box can significantly encroach upon the device and cause discomfort while negating the beneficial effects of the Correct Toes appliance. Fortunately, the footwear models you’ll find here are all Correct Toes compatible for most sets of feet:

www.naturalfootgear.com/collections/womens-shoes

Please let us know if you have any additional questions; we’re happy to help out however we can!

Kind regards,
Robyn Hughes, ND

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (19)

November 15, 2023

Chuck

What causes a hammertoe? And, can toe separators like Correct Toes fix the problem?

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (20)

November 15, 2023

Natural Footgear

Hi, Chuck. Thank you for reaching out to us with your questions. To answer your first question, inappropriate footwear is the most significant factor in the development of hammertoes. Shoes that are too narrow in the toe box force the toes into a curled and deformed position. Over time, the toe tendons adjust to this unhealthy configuration, causing the affected toe or toes to hold a hammered shape. Athletes and active individuals may be especially susceptible because of the increased forces on the toes from shoes that are too small or too tight. Heel elevation in footwear is also problematic, as it causes the toes to be pushed deeper into the shoe’s wedged toe box. Heel elevation, then, also contributes to a muscle/tendon imbalance in the foot and toes.

Using men’s or women’s foot-healthy footwear—footwear that gives the hammered toe or toes adequate room to straighten and splay—is a crucial first step in addressing this common (but not normal) toe problem or preventing it from getting worse. You had asked about toe separators, though, and this is indeed an important tool for fixing the problem. In fact, natural, noninvasive care strategies for hammertoes should be based around the use of Correct Toes, a toe straightening and spacing device that helps realign the toes to their normal anatomical position. Along with Correct Toes and healthy-foot-shaped footwear, Pedag metatarsal pads and the Hammertoe Stretch and Mobilization exercise are two additional things you can use or perform to help restore a balance between your toe flexor and extensor tendons. Injinji toe socks can play a supporting role here too.

For more information about hammertoes, including natural versus conventional approaches, we recommend that you check out this video featuring sports podiatrist and Correct Toes inventor Dr. Ray McClanahan:

www.naturalfootgear.com/blogs/educational-articles/hammertoes-conventional-vs-natural-approaches

And, of course, before beginning any treatment regimen designed to address toe problems such as hammertoes, we always recommend that you consult a foot care provider to discuss the nuances of your particular case and develop a plan that’s most appropriate for you.

Yours in Foot Health,
Drs. Marty & Robyn Hughes

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Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? (2024)

FAQs

Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night? ›

So, for some people, wearing Correct Toes at night can indeed be helpful in improving foot health, but to get the most benefit out of your toe spacers, it's best to use them while weight bearing (i.e., standing, walking, or running).

Should you sleep with Correct Toes on? ›

Correct Toes are most effective when worn while active, not sleeping.

How many hours a day should I wear Correct Toes? ›

Begin wearing your Correct Toes in increments of 30 minutes to 1 hour per day. For example, on the first day of use, wear your Correct Toes for 30 to 60 minutes. Each day, increase your wear-time by an additional 30 to 60 minutes. Wear Correct Toes around the house for several days before trying them in your shoes.

Should you wear toe separators over night? ›

It is generally safe to sleep with toe spacers on, but it may depend on the type you are using and your individual circ*mstances.

Are Correct Toes good for you? ›

Using Correct Toes as part of your regular foot care routine is a great way to build strong, healthy feet that will carry you far in your athletic pursuits and prevent the kind of foot and toe problems that sideline so many active individuals.

Why feet should not be covered while sleeping? ›

Sleeping with your feet outside of the covers can be a personal preference. Some people find it more comfortable to have their feet exposed to regulate their body temperature while they sleep, preventing overheating.

How should your toes point when sleeping? ›

Like we did with the standing posture; point your toes slightly in towards the middle, so that as you relax into this lying posture your knees will tend to either stay where they are effortlessly or drop towards each other where they will be supported (and not out where they will flop around).

How long does it take to see results from Correct Toes? ›

Most people can expect to feel and/or see toe spacer results within the first 30 minutes of use. However, for architectural changes to occur, both time and dedication to Correct Toes use is important.

Can you wear Correct Toes with socks? ›

Alternatively, Correct Toes can be prevented from sliding off by wearing them inside of socks or over toe socks.

Why are Correct Toes so expensive? ›

Our Answer. It's true that Correct Toes costs more than other toe spacing devices, and people often wonder why this is so. Here's why: Correct Toes is more than just a premium product; it represents an entire approach to foot care that upends decades of conventional foot care treatments.

What is the difference between yoga toes and Correct Toes? ›

Yoga Toes stretch the toes beyond natural anatomy, and can only be worn while at rest. The bulkiness of Yoga Toes makes it impossible to use while standing, walking and running, or in shoes. Correct Toes is the only toe spacing product designed to be worn during weight-bearing activities.

What are the negatives of toe spacers? ›

These drawbacks include the following: Individual toe spacers easily slip out of place during weight-bearing activity, even when worn under conventional socks, in combination with toe socks, or within a pair of sufficiently wide toe box footwear.

Is it OK to sleep with Correct Toes? ›

So, for some people, wearing Correct Toes at night can indeed be helpful in improving foot health, but to get the most benefit out of your toe spacers, it's best to use them while weight bearing (i.e., standing, walking, or running).

How long can I wear Correct Toes? ›

The best results are seen when people incorporate Correct Toes into their daily weight-bearing activities. Incorporate Correct Toes SLOWLY and progressively. We recommend wearing them for a half-hour the first day and then increasing the time by approximately 30 minutes each day.

Do podiatrists recommend toe spacers? ›

Almost anybody can wear toe separators, and they are highly recommended by podiatrists for pain relief. However, if you have any concerns or medical issues, it is always best to consult a medical professional before adding toe separators to your routine.

Can Correct Toes help hammertoe? ›

One option to consider is using toe spacers designed to help realign and restore the natural position of your toes. By wearing it regularly, you can improve toe alignment, relieve discomfort, and prevent bunions and hammertoes.

What happens if you stay on your tippy toes? ›

It will often lead to pain in the feet and lower legs and tightness in lower extremity muscles while walking and sitting. While less common, the same symptoms occur in adults who experience this condition. Muscle tightness in the calf is the most common symptom of toe walking.

Should you straighten toes? ›

If your toe has become rigid and permanently crooked, surgical treatments may be recommended, particularly if you're experiencing pain and issues with mobility. Surgery may involve cutting or removing a small section of the toe joint and rotating the toe into a straight position.

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