Bunions aren’t fun to deal with. Over time they can become incredibly painful and interfere with walking, putting shoes on, and even standing.
While some bunions do require surgery eventually, this isn’t always the case. There are some simple steps you can take to help ease the symptoms of bunions at home.
What are bunions?
Bunions, called hallux valgus, form when the bone at the joint at the base of the big toe moves out of place.
Over time, the bunion grows and gradually the toe turns inwards. This limits the mobility of the toes and can be very painful - in many cases walking, and even standing, becomes difficult.
Wearing tight-fitting shoes that are too small for your feet is one of the main reasons bunions develop. However, they can also be caused by other factors such as arthritis, genetics, and injury.
A common medical condition, bunions can last several months or years. Depending on the severity, some bunions will require treatment by a medical professional - including surgery.
However, there are ways to help ease the pain and discomfort of this condition at home.
Note: Always seek advice from your medical professional. The below tips should not be considered medical advice.
Warm foot soak with Epsom Salts
Time to give your feet a little TLC.
A warm soak can assist in relieving painful bunion symptoms and alleviate tension, stress and general discomfort.
Using good old Epsom Salts, a relieving foot soak is simple.
Fill a basin with very warm water and stir in 2 – 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts. Soak your feet for 10 – 15 minutes. The magnesium in the salts soothes your pain and helps fight off infection.
Once you are finished soaking, pat your feet paying special attention to between your toes. Don’t forget to moisturise your feet afterwards as Epsom salts can be drying.
Choose shoes which are extra-wide in the toe area
The right choice of footwear is a must for bunion pain management. Opt for a wide-fitting shoe that offers enough space to fit your toes comfortably and spread during walking.
Shoes with added depth are also beneficial. The extra depth gives your foot more space, which can accommodate any calluses on the bottom of your foot. Extra-depth also gives you space to add an insert, which supports your foot.
Finally, shoes with adjustable straps are an excellent option. This allows you to loosen the shoe to accommodate changes in the size of your bunion over time.
Adaptive Clothing Australia is proud to promote a range of wide-fitting Cosyfeet shoes. This range is specifically designed with an extra-wide fit and adjustable fastening to accommodate bunions, swelling, problem toes and bandaging.
Cosyfeet are crafted with the highest quality leathers and fabrics along with advanced foot comfort technology to give you footwear that is consistent, comfortable, durable and a pleasure to wear.
Use a good arch support
Choose a wide-fitting shoe with good arch support, use custom orthotics or quality over-the-counter shoe insoles.
This will help transfer some of the pressure off the bunion joint and make things more comfortable. Just using a shoe insert or orthotic insole won’t cure your bunions but they can provide some welcome relief.
Protect with a silicone shield
A bunion shield is a soft gel pad that rests against the side of your foot to reduce friction against tender skin, cushioning and relieving bunion pain and toe pain. These shields slip over the big toe and usually fit most shoe sizes easily.
Massage with a tennis ball
Try rolling a tennis ball around with your foot to massage and loosen the muscles and encourage foot mobility. This can help relieve the pain from bunions. To massage your feet, sit in a chair and place a tennis ball on the floor. Move the ball along the length of the foot for about two minutes.
If you have any questions at all about Cosyfeet fit, style, or material, please reach out to our team on info@adaptiveclothingaustralia.com. We're here to help!
About Adaptive Clothing Australia
We are a Brisbane-based, family run business with more than 22 years' experience working with aged care mobility products and clothing. We pride ourselves on delivering quality services with a caring, personal touch. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the most accurate and reliable information to help you make informed decisions about your adaptive clothing needs.
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