They do "hurt," but they seem to REALLY work at relaxing (and somehow realigning?) your feet. As a caveat, we have not owned them long -- a few days, honestly, but the difference in your feet can be felt IMMEDIATELY. I originally bought this product for my young pre-professional ballerina. She has struggled for at least 2 years against "gripping" her feet against the floor -- starting that habit when she was trying to prevent the "rolling in" at her ankles. She's working on building her ankle strength instead, but finds that she continues to "hold" her ankles up with her feet, causing her to have problems relaxing and working through her feet when she's dancing. I bought this product (along with the rolling ball) when she expressed frustration to me at not being able to stretch out her muscles enough. The ball was recommended by a pilates instructor to help with her hip, back and hamstring tightness. When I purchased the Yamuna ball, I also bought the foot rolling product, thinking that she might have the same "tightness" problems with the tiny, overworked muscles of her feet. And I am so glad I did. Both the rolling ball and the foot saver kit are flat out amazing. I use them too (have suffered with plantar fasciatis in the past and have previously worn orthotics). The exercise for the "foot saver kit" FORCES the muscles in your foot to relax - but uses your own body weight to do it, so you do not feel as if you are pushing or forcing anything. Your muscles "melt" underneath your body weight. It's like a deep tissue massage for the inner muscles of your feet, and after doing the exercises, your feet feel awesome -- wider (somehow) and deeply relaxed (almost flattened, but "springy-er" -- like they've stretched or spread out on the floor, but the muscles are more able/willing to use them the way they were meant to be used). Both of us have been amazed at the difference in our bodies and muscles these products (the feet product and the rolling ball) have shown us in our bodies. We both have mentioned that we did not even realize we were carrying tension in certain areas until we "rolled" them and then felt the release of the constriction -- suddenly those areas feel shockingly "oiled" and "loose." You can't help BUT notice the difference, and LOVE it. I'm addicted to the feeling at this point, and have used both products at least twice a day since we've received them. My daughter states that it's much easier to work her feet (and legs) properly, although now she finds that she must build back up her ankle strength, since her feet are finally fully relaxed, the need for additional ankle strength has again been highlighted to her. It takes some courage to buy them and use them, but I believe they will work for the long term. I will try to update at a later time after using them for a longer period of time. Excellent, sturdy construction. Small enough for the ballerina to carry around in her dance bag and whip out to use before/after class. Efficient use of time (5 mins or so) for amazing, immediate results. Intuitive use -- honestly, once you've done the exercises a few times, you understand quickly how to use them. Highly recommended.
