OPTP The Original Stretch-EZ, USA Made Top Choice Plantar Fasciitis Stretcher, Hamstring Stretch Strap and Achilles Tendon Stretcher, Stretching Strap for Physical Therapy

I grew up as a ballet dancer, and still have a great deal of flexibility from that. But now, as an adult, I am overweight, underexercised, and have plantar fasciitis which flares up from time to time. My boyfriend and I started going roller skating, and I have been coming home being unable to barely walk due to pain in my feet from the plantar fasciitis and pain in my calves from the exercise. This product has been a life-saver.The product is fairly simple - you put on the device by fitting your heel into the hole and securing with a velcro strap (which seems like it can fit almost any size ankle/calf). Then you use the straps to pull your leg and foot in different directions to stretch the muscles in your feet and legs. I like that the strap comes with many hand grips, so I can go as deep into the stretch as I want. I like that the bottom part is long and pulls your toes into a foot stretch. I wear a size 7.5 women's street shoe, and the bottom of the foot part is much much longer than my foot. I almost think they could make this in a smaller size for those of us with smaller feet.The package came with basic pictoral instructions on the back of the plastic package (so don't throw away!) - how to put on the device, and 6 or so basic stretches. I wish it came with more since I can see this helping with a wide range of muscle groups in the legs and feet, and maybe even being able to be used for certain arm stretches.In any case, this has helped me obtain a much deeper stretch than I am capable of without it (and my leg muscles are pretty flexible to begin with). For example, when you lie on your back and stretch one leg straight to the ceiling, I have a hard time keeping my knee straight to get the right stretch. This product allows me to hold the strap at a comfortable level so that I am getting a good stretch while my knee is only slightly bent. Also I like being able to pull the leg to one side to get a deep inner thigh stretch. In short, I think it is already helping my plantar fasciitis even after only a few short sessions (and not everyday), and it definitely helped me be able to walk the day after roller skating. I was in so much pain, but stretching with this band really helped to loosen up the muscles and reduce the muscle pain. I think it is designed with all the different grips to make stretching more accessible to those older folk who have trouble getting a good stretch otherwise.

Great and versatile product. It comes with a small sheet showing some options for different stretches. More details would have been appreciated, but not enough to mark it down for. There is an option for reversing the strap on your foot for pulling it back over your shoulder in a standing position, where your foot goes through the heel hole shown in the photo. As someone with size 12 Wide feet, this is not a very comfortable and easy fit. I only planned on using it in the way pictured in the main photo for this listing, so that is not an issue for me, but I wanted to point it out for others.

The Stretch-EZ is a great product. I HATE stretching and it helps me work my way through it because it makes stretching easier. It also helps stretch my foot and toes which you don't get when you stretch without an aid. I have used a couple other products but this one is better because it holds the foot and ankle more stable. With an aid I feel more like I am doing something and have a routine worked out with it. The Stretch-Ez was recommended to me by my physical therapist.The reason I gave the product a four star rating rather than a five is because one of the loops nearer to the toe area came unsewn after about five or six uses. The loops should be sewn more times--they are only sewn across one time. If you are very tight which I am it puts much more pressure on the loop and as they aren't sewn down as well they could come loose. Actually, anyone pulling with a lot of pressure could tear the loops loose. Despite this issue, I do love the product and would certainly recommend it and would purchase it again.

I have Cerebral Palsy and stretching my leg muscles is necessary to aide in pain relief from tense spastic muscles, to increase flexibility, and to strengthen weak muscles. The OPTP Stretch- EZ enables me to stretch and strengthen my leg muscles correctly and with ease. With this simple stretching tool I can do side lying leg lefts and straight leg lifts independently and without over exertion. Within just one week of using the Stretch- EZ daily to assist in an exercise routine recommended by a physical therapist, the pain in my lower back due to tight hamstrings was gone! My right hip was noticeably also stronger! I could climb the steps at the movie theater. The Stretch-EZ makes leg exercises that I have dreaded doing all my life much easier and much more effective. The stretch is passive so do not over do it. You may not feel the stretch during the exercise: but you will later. I just wish I could put it on my leg independently. I also wish the pull strap was a little longer!. I plan to buy another one so that I can stretch both legs at the same time.

I can't say this product is a cure-all becuase my PF is not gone yet, but i can tell you that I am using it a lot during the night to stretch my PF before i get out of bed. This gives my feet a gentler "warm up" than just standing up and my hope is that doing this will be an important step in breaking the cycle of inflammation in my PF. I use it lying flat on my back with my leg also flat on the bed. I use the next to last handle and use a gentle pull to activate the tendons on the bottom of my foot. Without it, i can barely walk to the bathroom! I'm also doing traditional stretching during the day when i feel the PF get tight. That and I ordered replacement insoles for my shoes to provide more cushion to my feet. I work on a concrete floor much of the day and it's not very forgiving. The rest of the time I'm sitting at a computer and, as most PF sufferers know, sitting just gives your PF a chance to "tighten up". But i do love this product. Another reviewer said the handle was too small, but that's only the "last" handle. There is an enitire row of good sized handles along the whole length of the strap. These allow you to vary the tension of your stretch and use two hands if desired.