Are Yoga Toes A Gimmick?

I received a pair of yoga toes at work, brought them home and forgot about them.  That is ... until two weeks ago.  Now I'm obsessed with trying them out to see if they are of any benefit.  Yoga toes are sold as a natural way to stretch your toes and exercise your feet.  Enthusiasts claim they make toes and ankles more flexible, feet stronger, improve the circulation of your legs, stretch your leg muscles, realign foot structure, improve your arches, alleviate stress and correct common foot problems, such as bunions, hammer toes and varicose veins.

Well when you put a pair on, you definitely feel the lifting and spreading of your toes.  Yelp, that much is true.  The advise is, begin wearing yoga toes for 10 minutes, building up to one hour.  My tip is, slide your little toe into the stretcher-thingy first before the others.

Although I could immediately wear mine for an hour, or longer [fell asleep on my couch with them on], as well as, walk around my apartment to get stuff, I can't honestly say I feel or see a difference when I take them off.  After two weeks of daily wear, my feet feel exactly the same.

Some foot specialists do recommend them for soothing foot pain caused by squeezing feet into narrow shoes and high heels.  And according to UCLA's Dr. Carol Frey, a professor of orthopedic surgery, there's no real need to spend $39 - $49 for YogaToes.  Dr. Frey says yoga toes "are a straightforward design," so the cheap ones work the same "as long as they stretch the toes just enough without pain."  So buy the $10 knockoffs.  

I'm giving my yoga toes a month to do something spectacular for my active feet.  I'm w.a.i.t.i.n.g. ♬♪♪♫ and keeping an open mind.  What about you? 

You may also enjoy:

Relief For Sore Muscles  

How Will Changes In Health Care Effect You?  

Health Care Reform, A Doctor Weighs In  

Reduce Your Risk Of Lyme Disease