5 Tips To Prevent Bunion Pain
Bunions occur when excessive and continuous pressure on your feet forces your big toe to point toward the rest of your foot, causing misalignment. They are characterized by a bony bump that develops outside your big toe.
Aside from the pain and soreness, having bunions may also result in corns and calluses, further affecting your daily routines. That said, it’s best to learn how to prevent and alleviate bunion pain. Here’s what you should do:
- Wear Well-Fitting Shoes
One of the major risk factors for developing bunions is wearing tight, narrow, and pointy shoes. Because of the limited space ill-fitting footwear provides, they put excess pressure on your toes and mess with their proper alignment. If you already have a bunion, wearing these shoes will not only cause pain but also worsen your condition.
Because of this, it’s crucial to get footwear with the correct size. If possible, get a pair that has a roomy toe box, good arch support, and a comfortable fit.
- Use Padding or Shoe Inserts
Another way to prevent and reduce pain from bunions is by padding or adding orthotics to your shoes. Bunion pads provide additional cushioning to prevent your affected toe from rubbing against your shoes and causing discomfort. Meanwhile, custom shoe inserts help distribute pressure evenly on your feet, minimizing pain and the progression of your foot condition. To determine which works best for you, consult a podiatrist.
- Do Bunion Exercises
Exercising regularly helps improve your feet’s strength and mobility, thus relieving and preventing bunion symptoms like soreness and pain. Some exercises you can try are toe curls, toe stretches, towel crunches, and ball rolls. You can also talk to your foot doctor to ensure your routine is safe for your condition.
- Apply Ice to the Affected Area
This is one of the easiest ways to relieve painful, swollen bunions. If you notice these symptoms, especially after standing or walking all day, apply an ice pack on your feet for at least 10 minutes or more.
- Take Pain Medications
Of course, you can always take medication when you experience pain and inflammation with your bunions. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen can work wonders to reduce these symptoms. If necessary, your foot doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid injection.
Contact Us at Thomas Podiatry & Associates
Learning about these tips will help ease any pain and discomfort associated with bunions. If you need a routine foot check-up or professional advice on your bunion pain, consult a podiatrist. Reach out to us at Thomas Podiatry & Associates in Salisbury, MD for reliable podiatric services.