Discussion: big toe

Is one supposed to be able to move the big toe independently of the other toes? My five toes are like a paddle and I just thought the ability to move the big one independently was genetically determined, like rolling the tongue (which I *can* do!).

Lifting my big toe while the rest stay down, and vice versa, I do daily to help my PF.
Rolling my tongue doesn’t help anything.

Ok but if you can't do it how do you learn to do it? I'm not sure that holding the other toes down is effective since they are still "pushing" against my hand.

Apparently, I _should_ be able to move just the big toe, without holding down the other four. Guess I have to keep practicing my "Jedi mind trick" to get it to move. Today I stared and stared at it and it barely moved.

It might be shy. Look away and try moving it.

so there are no additional instructions beyond "just try to move it by itself"?

I think of pushing down with the other 4 toes which engages muscles in the bottom of my foot. That let's the big toe stay up by itself. That's how my PT person explained it to me.

That makes sense. Now I have something new I can work on during mandatory concerts.

@Sandy, I'm impressed that you can do this. At the moment, I can only move my big toe separate from the others if I hold down one side. Guess that is why I need the PT!

More practice!