5 Tips To Relieve Bunion Pain Naturally Without Surgery

Bunions can be unsightly, painful, and plain mortifying if you have a thing for dainty sandals. A bunion, medically known as hallux valgus, is a bony protrusion on the base of your big toe.

[pullquote]Causes Of Bunions

• Genetic and can run in the family
• Certain foot structures at birth¹
• Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis (you can also develop arthritis in the toe if you have a bunion)
• Inflexible joints, loose ligaments, and poor muscle tone (e.g., in cerebral palsy and Marfan syndrome)
• Uncomfortable shoes²[/pullquote]

It develops when the big toe points toward the other toes, causing the joint where it attaches to the rest of the foot to stick out. Your shoes could put extra pressure on this joint, which eventually becomes inflamed and painful.³

Bunions are uncommon among people who don’t wear shoes. Tight shoes can cause your big toe to stay in a bent position, while high heels can cause the front of your foot to take most of your body’s weight, putting a lot of strain on your toe joints. So while anyone can get a bunion, it’s found more commonly in women, probably because of the style of shoes women use.⁴

Bunion May Cause

• Pain, swelling, and reduced flexibility around your big toe joint
• Hard, thickened, reddish skin at the base of your big toe, and calluses and corns where the big toe overlaps with the second toe
• Distortions in the shape of your foot, which might make it difficult to find the right shoes.⁵

Unfortunately, the only way to correct a bunion completely is through surgery. Your doctor will recommend this if your bunion is interfering severely with the quality of your life and causing you a lot of pain. But even after surgery, 15% of bunions have been known to return.⁶ So what are your options if you don’t want to go down that road? Several non-invasive and natural ways can help treat the pain or discomfort caused by bunions.

1. Wear Proper Shoes And Protections

• Switch to low-heeled shoes that are wide enough for your toes. This not only prevents the problem from aggravating but also often sorts it out.
• Using foam, felt, or gel bunion pads can stop your shoe from rubbing against your foot and protect the bunion.
• Some devices can help improve the alignment of the bones in your feet. For instance, bunion splints which go over the top of your big toe can straighten its alignment while toe spacers can separate your first and second toes. ⁷

2. Strengthen The Foot With Exercise

Strengthening certain muscles in the foot and calf – which keep the arch of the foot from rolling inward, and support body weight as well as forward motion – can reduce pain and improve ease of movement in people with bunions. Three simple exercises can help:

• Short foot exercise: Shorten your foot by raising the arch of your feet, without curling your toes or lifting the heels.
• Toe spread: Lift and spread your toes while keeping the rest of the foot on the floor. Now, touch the floor with your little toe and then move your big toe to the inside of your foot.
• Heel raise: Bend your knees while standing and lift the arch of your foot. Now raise the heel while putting pressure on your big toe.

Hold each position for about 5 seconds and repeat the exercises till your muscles start to get tired.⁸

Certain yoga asanas like Parsvottanasana (intense side stretch), Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasan (three-limbed forward bend), Virasana (hero pose), and Janusirsasana (head-to-knee forward bend), done serially, can improve the tension of the abductor hallucis muscle, which pulls the big toe towards the second toe. Start these as early as you can for maximum benefit.⁹

3. Use Homeopathic Medicines Using Marigold

Creams, ointments, oils, or tinctures containing marigold are used in homeopathy to treat bunions. Your homeopathic doctor will apply medication on the bunion joint using a cavity pad once a week for about a month; this can be followed by home treatment using a prescribed tincture or oil for a few months.¹⁰ Marigold has anti-inflammatory and keratolytic (thinning the skin) properties and various studies have found that this treatment reduces inflammation and pain.¹¹ Foot exercises and foot baths may also be incorporated into your homeopathic treatment plan.

4. Adjust The Pain With Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment, which primarily uses manipulation (adjustment) of the body’s structure (mainly spine) can improve foot function and pain in people with bunions. Treatment consists of mobilizing the joint between the big toe and the rest of the foot as well as adjusting other fixations in the foot and ankle. Ice is also used to bring relief.¹²

5. Massage With Essential Oils

Aromatherapy recommends massaging the bunion with 3 or 4 drops of undiluted essential oils like frankincense, balsam fir, lemon, or lavender. After the massage, cover the bunion with a moist, warm cloth for a few minutes. This should ideally be repeated 2–3 times a day. You could also soak your feet in some warm water with Epsom salt and massage a couple of drops of undiluted lemon essential oil on the bunion after your foot is dry. This will soothe the bunion and reduce swelling and inflammation.¹³