If you are one of the many experiencing bunion pain, you may be looking for a natural bunion treatment to ease your discomfort. Leading podiatrists say surgery is the only way to correct bunions but recommend natural home remedies first. In fact, for some people, using these home remedies might be just the trick for your bunion pain! In this article, we will discuss what bunions are, what causes them, and how to prevent them from occurring or getting worse with 12 at-home treatments for bunion relief.
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In this article:
- What is a bunion?
- What causes bunions?
- Common treatments for bunions
- 12 home remedies for bunion pain relief
- Additional remedies
- When to see your docotor
What is a bunion?
A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe. This is caused by the big toe being pulled or pushed towards the second toe. The big toe joint begins to bulge out causing pain when wearing certain types of shoes or during daily activities.
What causes bunions?
Bunions can form for a few different reasons. They could result from wearing narrow or pointed shoes, high heels, or shoes that do not fit your foot. If you have a physically active job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods combined with wearing shoes that do not have good support for your foot type, this can increase your risk of forming a bunion. They can also result from genetics or medical conditions such as arthritis/ rheumatoid arthritis. It’s important to understand how bunions occur so you might avoid making your bunion worse.
Unfortunately, bunions cannot be reversed, so once they have formed, it’s important to treat them as soon as possible. This will prevent the bunion from getting worse and reduce discomfort.
Common treatments for bunions
Most doctors will recommend these home remedies before bunion surgery unless it is medically necessary to perform surgery sooner. Unfortunately, surgery is the only way to reverse a bunion once it is formed. But with these home remedies and a few tips, you might be able to prevent your bunion from getting worse and relieve any discomfort it is causing without the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery.
12 Best Home Remedies for Natural Bunion Pain Relief
1. Ice Packs and heating pads—Applying an ice pack at the base of your big toe can temporarily relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Alternating cold and hot packs increases circulation in the area, reduces swelling, and reduces pain. It is recommended to start with 5 minutes of cold, then 5 minutes of heat, 5 minutes of cold, and ending with 5 minutes of heat for a total of 20 minutes.
2. Bunion pads or cushions—These provide padded cushioning to the bunion, causing less friction and providing pain relief to the area. Bunion pads or cushions are often worn with shoes to provide comfort and pain relief.
3. Bunion splints look like foot braces and help align the big toe in the correct position. While this device is helpful, some bunion splint designs are not practical for daily use. Find a splint that works for you and won’t disrupt your daily routine. These would be good to wear while at home or while sleeping to provide relief and comfort.
4. Comfortable shoes- many foot problems start with the wrong kind of shoes. Shoes should provide enough room in the toe area while providing good arch support. Many find a wider shoe necessary to provide adequate space for their foot shape and size. Heels are not recommended if you have bunions. Popular brands that support folks with bunions include New Balance, Birkenstock, Nike, Naturalizer, and Sole Bliss. Make sure to try on shoes in the store to make sure they fit your feet comfortably.
5. Custom orthotics—Shoe inserts like orthotics may help if you have flat feet that cause your toes to misalign. Orthotics are custom-made, but arch supports can also be found at your local drug store or online. Talk to your podiatrist about making custom orthotics to support your feet.
6. Foot stretches—There are many yoga stretches that you can do to stretch out your feet and toes and release tension that causes severe pain or discomfort.
7. Weight management- if you are carrying excess weight, losing weight may help reduce pressure on the toes providing relief of bunion symptoms. Consult with your doctor and nutritionist to determine what is your healthy body weight. Eating a low inflammatory diet will help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce inflammation- it’s a win, win!
8. Epsom Salt has magnesium, which can ease aches and pains. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to 2 quarts of warm water. Soak feet for up to 20 minutes. The warm water will also increase blood flow to the blood vessels in the area, providing pain relief. Repeat this foot soak daily or as needed.
9. Toe Spacers– create space between the first and second toe. They help to align the toes in the proper position. Many people find temporary relief with toe spacers.
10. Nettle tea– while this is not a topical solution, nettle tea is a natural analgesic, meaning it helps to reduce pain and inflammation in the body.
11. Castor oil pack- is a natural anti-inflammatory home remedy that can be applied directly to the side of the foot. You can do a castor oil pack which would require applying castor oil to a small piece of wool or gauze and then applying it to the bunion. Wrap plastic wrap around the ball of the foot to secure the castor oil fabric to the foot. Then wrap the foot again with an ace bandage to secure the castor oil fabric and plastic wrap. Leave overnight and remove in the morning.
12. Essential oils are one of the best ways to provide bunion relief. Popular essential oil remedies include peppermint, chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, clary sage, sandalwood, and frankincense. Use high grade essential oils. We like Jade Bloom because they are high quality and affordable. Before applying any essential oils mix with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Start with only one drop of essential oil at a time to ensure there are no skin reactions or allergies.
Additional Remedies for Bunion Pain Relief
NSAIDS- while we try to avoid over-the-counter medication as much as possible, it may be necessary at times to use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to reduce pain and inflammation quickly. It’s important to limit use to avoid certain gastrointestinal issues. Talk with your doctor to determine what the best options are for you.
Acupuncture- is a great way to decrease inflammation and pain naturally with the use of very small, fine needles. Acupuncture is an ancient medicine that has been used for centuries. Depending on your acupuncturist’s education, they may also recommend herbal remedies to help with pain and inflammation.
When to talk to your doctor about bunion treatment
It may be time to make an appointment with a podiatrist if you have any of the following symptoms:
- A bony bump is on the outside of your big toe near the joint.
- The pain is disrupting your daily activities
- You have difficulty moving your toes or feet
- It’s hard to find shoes that fit your feet well due to your bunion size
It’s important to consult your podiatrist to determine the best treatment route for your bunion relief. Consider these 12 natural home remedies to prevent your bunion from getting worse and find pain relief.
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Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bunions/symptoms-causes/syc-20354799
https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/essential-oils-to-relieve-pain/
