Thursday, October 30, 2008

How to Deal with that Bunion Ouch!

Shoes play a significant role in our wardrobe. Without them our look would never be complete. Functioning as a necessary tool for both protecting and beautifying our feet, hardly any of us would ever want to be seen walking around barefooted. For ladies, most especially, shoes contribute greatly to their overall physical appeal. Wearing those pointed stilettos does not only add inches to their original heights, but it also gives them that sexy allure. However, despite the glamorously sexy appeal these stilettos may lend its users, they could also pose danger not just because they are trip and slip-prone, but also because they can cause those ugly painful nodules called bunions to form on our feet.

Hallux valgus, more commonly known as bunions, are those uncomfortable (not to mention unsightly) deformed structural protrusions located in the middle of our foot and big toe. Having a bunion may cause our big toe to slant and lean toward our second toe. Moreover, the surrounding tissues are liable to become swollen and tender. More often than not, bunions are due to a mechanical deformity in the foot structure, which is primarily hereditary in nature. However, narrow-toed, high-heeled, and improperly fitted shoes are also known to cause them. Hence, it is no wonder more women than men are reported to suffer from them.

Several suggested treatments are known to address the problem of bunions. Bunion pain relief, on the other hand, can be resolved using other measures aside from surgery. Here are some techniques that might help provide even a little bit of comfort.

* Avoid wearing those pointed, tight shoes that crowd your toes. The same thing goes for those high heeled-shoes or stilettos that force all your toes to your shoes' front. Opt for low-heeled and rounded or square toed shoes that allow more room for your toes to breathe and does not apply pressure to them.

*If you do not want to buy new shoes, try stretching them instead. This is necessary to provide more room for your toes.

*Provide support for your foot arches by using shoe inserts, which are intended to diminish pain and prevent your feet from leaning inwards.

*Use a pad to cushion the bunion. However, this would only work for mild cases. Moderate to severe bunions may worsen if you use a pad because it tends to crowd them even more.

*Ice can be used as a bunion pain relief. It can lessen the pain's intensity. You can apply ice on your bunion many times during the day.

*Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage bunion pain.

*Physical therapy can work, too. Whirlpool baths and ultrasound therapy are known to be effective in easing bunion pain.

*Surgery can be done to relieve you of bunion pain. However, do not jump to this without consulting your doctor seriously first. This should be the last resort. On the whole, it is not a necessitated procedure, unless the bunion already gets in the way of your living your usual life.

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