WHAT ARE BUNIONS?
Bunions are often associated with runners, however, that’s not always the case. They can be formed on anyone’s foot. A bunion is a bony bump that forms a connection between the big toe and the first metatarsal. A bunion is a foot deformity of both bone and tissue.
The most common cause of bunions is by wearing shoes that are too small or too narrow for excessive hours. High heels and ballerina flats can cause women to have bunions. It is said that women are much more likely to form a bunion than a man is, due to the restrictive shoes women often wear.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A BUNION?
Many people may believe they have bunions and will try at home remedies to treat or correct the issue. One way to do this is by purchasing a bunion foot brace and wearing it overnight. Another way is by purchasing new work shoes that are wider in the toe area and are designed to alleviate foot pain.
There are also foot stretches you can do to help relieve any excess pain in the foot. By doing foot exercises, you can help reduce the chances of a bunion forming or of the condition getting worse.
Here are a few bunion exercises you can do at home:
Toe Stretch
Sit with your feet bare, no socks
Place your foot flat on the floor
Taking your hands, grab your big toe and stretch it away from your other toes and hold this stretch for 15 seconds. Let the toe go back to normal position and repeat 3x, twice daily
Picking Up Marbles
Place a marble on the floor and sit on a chair
Without wearing socks, pick up the marble with your big toe
This allows your toes to stretch and strengthens the big toe muscles which help prevent bunions
Ball Roll
Place a golf ball or a small ball on the floor
Placing your bare foot on the ball, roll the ball back and forth
This helps stretch and relax any muscles that may be contracting and causing the bunion
If your bunion has not subsided and the pain has increased, it’s important you call your local podiatry office to schedule an appointment and have a podiatrist treat you.
At River Podiatry we provide individualized, comprehensive, evaluation and treatment of patients with podiatric issues. The practice specializes in foot surgery and the treatment of foot pain. Expect the best possible care utilizing the most modern techniques.
