Natural Treatment for Bunions

Treatment for bunions

Treatment for bunions is important because this simple medical condition limits your daily activities. The optional treatments for bunions vary depending on the severity of the bunion and how much pain it causes. In this article, Dr. Tsan will share his experience on how to treat a bunion naturally and traditionally.

Conservative treatment for bunions

Non-surgical treatment of bunions can ease the pain includes the following methods:

Shoes for bunions.

Wear spacious, comfortable shoes that have plenty of room for your toes.

Padding.

Over-the-counter, non-medicated pads or cushions can help. They can act as a buffer between your foot and your shoe and thus relieve your pain.

Medication for bunions.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help you control bunion pain. Cortisone injections can also help.

Shoe insoles for bunions.

Padded shoe insoles for bunions can help evenly distribute pressure as you move your feet, reduce your symptoms, and keep your bone of the foot from getting worse. Over-the-counter aids can provide relief to some people; others require prescription orthotics.

Applying ice.

Ice applications on bunion after being on your feet for too long or if bunion becomes infected can help relieve pain and swelling. If you have a decreased feeling or blood flow problems in your feet, talk to your doctor first before applying ice.

Bunion physical therapy

Physiotherapists are specialists who provide treatments for bunions using massage, electric stimulations, and other physical therapy approaches to improve their quality of life. Bunion treatment courses can consist of exercises for bunions, hands-on care, and patient education. A physical therapist will create a protocol to take care of your specific symptoms of bunions. The goal of treatment is to improve ankle, foot, and toe function, reduce pain and get you moving again. Your treatment plan may include:

Patient education. A physical therapist will work with you to detect and eliminate any external factors that cause pain. The type and amount of exercise you do, your athletic activities, and your footwear can all be discussed. A physical therapist will propose changes to your daily actions and create a customized exercise program to help ensure a pain-free come back to your preferred activity level.

If the distortion of your bunion increases to the point that you can no longer obtain comfortable bunions shoes or walking turns out to be very challenging, you may choose surgery for a bunion to modify the position of the big toe. After surgery, a physical therapist can help restore strength and movement to your big toe, reduce pain, and allow you to return to the highest level of function possible.

Immediately after surgery, a hospital physiotherapist will teach you how to walk with a cane, walker, or crutches to avoid putting weight on the surgical area. They will also teach you how to use ice packs and how to elevate your legs to control pain and swelling.

Bunion surgery – the most aggressive form of treatment for bunions

Some people with bunions may need bunions surgery. There are several bunions surgery procedures available when bunions need to be operated on.

Bunioon surgery

Bunions surgery may be suitable for people who:

  • Have pain and inflammation that don’t get better with other treatments
  • have a deformity that is so severe that the toe can cross another toe
  • cannot bend or straighten a toe due to its stiffness

Ball toe surgery is very rare in younger people with bunions. The bunion surgery intends to alleviate pain, readjust the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), and fix any abnormalities that are causing the problem.

If conservative treatment does not relieve your symptoms, you may need bunion surgery. Bunions surgery is not recommended for cosmetic reasons; only when a bunion causes frequent or constant severe pain or interferes with your daily activities.

There are many options of bunion surgeries available, and no single technique is the best for every problem.

Bunion surgery procedures can be performed as single procedures or in combination. They can involve:

  • Remove the swollen tissue around your big toe joint.
  • Repair of tendons and ligaments. This bunions surgery treatment includes cutting any vulnerable joint tissues and extending the tip. Repair of tendons and ligaments often occurs in conjunction with an osteotomy.
  • This is a bunion surgery that aims to cut off the swollen joint surface. The podiatrist then puts in screws, wires, or plates to lock up the joint together as it restores. This procedure usually helps people with a severe bunion, arthritis, or those who have had bunion surgery without success.
  • The podiatrist eliminates the bump on the side of the affected toe joint. They will often perform this surgery in conjunction with an osteotomy. Exostectomy does not usually treat the underlying cause of the big toe.
  • This is a restorative procedure to readjust the joint. Podiatrists use pins, screws, or plates to fix the bone and thus align your big toe by removing part of the bone.
  • Arthroplasty resection. This is a procedure to remove the damaged part of the toe joint, providing more space between the toe bones. Surgeons reserve this procedure for:
    • older adults with bunions
    • people who have had bunion surgery that has not resolved the problem
    • those with severe arthritis who cannot undergo arthrodesis
    • Realign one or more bones of the forefoot in a more normal position to correct the abnormal angle of the big toe joint
    • Join up the bones of your impacted joint permanently
  • Podiatrists do not typically suggest this bunion surgical procedure.

You may be able to step on your foot right after a bunion procedure. Nevertheless, full improvement time can take calendar weeks or even months. Regular visits to the doctor may be required.

To prevent a recurrence, you will need to wear appropriate bunion shoes after recovery. For most people, it is unrealistic to expect to wear narrower shoes after surgery.

Talk to your doctor about what to expect after bunion surgery.

What is a bunion?

About bunions

A bunion is a skeletal bulge that arises on the joint at the bottom of a big toe. It occurs when some b the bones in the front section of a foot dislocate. This causes the tip of your big toe to pull toward the smaller toes and force the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out. The skin on the bunion may be red and sore. This deformity of the foot occurs as a result of many years of pressure on the big toe joint (metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP). Eventually, the toe joint does not align and a bone lump is formed. The scientific name for bunions is hallux abducto valgus. Smaller bunions can develop on the little finger joint.

What are the types of bunions?

Bunions developed on a big toe are the most typical. Other types of bunions are:

  • Hereditary bunions: Some babies are born with bunions.
  • Juvenile or adolescent bunions: On rare occasions, teens and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 can suffer from bunions.
  • Tailor’s bunions aka bunionette, these bunions form on the outer base of the little finger (little finger).

Bunion Serverity Guide

What causes bunions?

Pressure from the way you walk (foot mechanics) or the shape of your foot (foot structure) causes the big toe to bend towards the second toe. Bunions happen gradually over time. Standing for long periods and wearing narrow, ill-fitting shoes can make bunion pain worse, but they don’t cause the problem.

There are several concepts about how bunions develop, but the accurate causes of bunions are unidentified. Possible causes of bunions are likely to include:

  • Inherited foot type
  • Foot strain or injuries
  • Birth defects

Experts disagree as to whether shoes that are too tight, high-heeled, or too tight cause bunions or whether shoes only contribute to the formation of bunions.

Bunions can be linked to certain types of arthritis, especially inflammatory forms such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of bunions

A bunion looks like a turnip, especially when it is red and swollen during a flare-up. In fact, some experts mention that the word bunion happens from the Greek term for turnip.

bunion symptoms

The most common bunion symptoms are:

  • Swelling, redness, or pain around the big toe joint
  • Inability to bend the big toe or pain and burning when trying to bend it.
  • Difficulty wearing normal shoes.
  • Corns or calluses (thickened skin).
  • Hammer of the feet (tender and painful tendons and joints).
  • Constant discomfort and ache or a pain that comes and goes
  • Limited movement of your big toe
  • Numbness in the big toe.

Natural treatment for bunions

Bunions can be treated naturally. However, if you don’t find relief, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Natural approaches can stop bunions from advancing, lessen the pain and swelling related to them. However, they cannot correct the underlying causes. treating bunions naturally is a great first step, however, it is important that the treatment is provided by well-trained medical practitioners.

Surgery is another option to treat bunions, but doctors would recommend it if you have:

  • Excruciating pain
  • Interference with daily activities
  • Natural remedies being ineffective

Home remedies for bunions

Home remedies for bunions

Home remedies for bunions may include:

  • applying a cool compress for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours, wrapping to protect the skin
  • using over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as paracetamol, to relieve pain
  • relieving pressure from the legs, avoiding prolonged standing
  • lifting legs while resting
  • use of shock-absorbing insoles or instep supports to reduce pressure when walking
  • padding of shoes, such as fleecy spider webs, fleecy foam, felt or gel coatings
  • using metatarsal pads or a metatarsal bar to support the foot and relieve metatarsal pressure
  • preserving a normal body weight to prevent extra pressure
  • It is also critical to pick the proper shoes for bunions.

Tips for choosing the proper shoes for bunions:

  • avoid high heels
  • avoid tight or pointed shoes
  • choosing shoes with adequate support and cushioning.

Bunion diet – an essential part of any treatment for bunions

For most bunion sufferers, bunions exist in a state of constant inflammation, that is, stuck in tight-fitting shoes with pointy, ill-fitting toes. If the degree of bunion strain is extreme, almost any shoe will rub the bony bumps into a red, coarse fit. For certain individuals, inflammatory arthritis is a direct cause of bunions.

Everything is good in moderation so eliminating foods that promote inflammation in the body like soft drinks and sugary foods, junk food, and white or refined flour can better help prevent bunion pain.

Below are foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties:

  • Leafy vegetables – kale, spinach, lettuce
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Onions, garlic, ginger
  • Berries
  • Tomatoes
  • peppers
  • Nuts
  • Turmeric
  • Grape seed extract

Exercises for bunions

Certain exercises can help manage pain in the metatarsal area. However, it should be remembered that metatarsalgia can arise from a number of problems. Always check with your podiatrist first that the exercises you plan to do are appropriate. Bunions can be a real pain. Not only do they cause a lot of discomforts, but they also interrupt daily functions and interfere with the activities you enjoy. Fortunately, there are lifestyle and exercise modifications that can help relieve your symptoms and prevent future bunions. Whether you’re in pain from a bunion or you are attempting to stop a bunion from developing, executing regular exercises for bunions can help keep your feet healthful and, optimistically, surgery-free.

Reducing the tightness of soft tissues under the foot

  1. Be seated in a chair with both feet flat on the floor surface.
  2. Place a tennis ball under your foot.
  3. Move the tennis ball backward and forward with the affected foot.
  4. Repeat at least twice a day.

Tennis ball under foot

 

Stretching the calf muscles

  1. Sit on the floor with one leg straight and the other knee bent for stability.
  2. Wrap a towel or cloth around the center of your foot.
  3. Holding the towel with both hands, pull your toes up, keeping your heel on the ground.
  4. Add extra traction to stretch the calf muscle.
  5. Let go and relax.

Ankle Mobility and Flexion Plantar

Stretching of the Achilles tendon

  1. Stand up straight in front of a chair, with your hands on the chair for support.
  2. Place the foot to be stretched slightly behind the other foot.
  3. Push the heel of the rear foot down as you bend the knee.
  4. Relax and switch feet.
  5. Repeat 10 times.

Achilles Tendon Strech

Stretching of the calf muscles

  1. Stand with both hands on a wall or the back of a chair to hold steady.
  2. Place one foot forward, keeping your feet flat on the ground.
  3. Bend the front leg and keep the back straight.
  4. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then relax and switch feet.
  5. Repeat 10 times.

Calf stretching

Acupuncture treatment for bunions

Like many other folks, you may consider Acupuncture for bunions before taking steroids and having surgery.

The reasons for acupuncture in addition to its anti-inflammatory effects are:

  • It is minimally invasive compared to steroid syringes and surgery. The acupuncture needle is as fine as your hair is thin. And about an inch or a half long. After removing the needles, you can hardly see a mark.
  • it generally has no side effects
  • It doesn’t take 6 to 8 weeks of recovery time like a steroid injection and surgery.
  • It’s very economical compared to having surgery, which usually costs around $ 30,000.
  • It has no more scars. and can be repeated if necessary.
  • It’s not as painful as steroid injections and surgery.
  • The bunion can grow back. So acupuncture is a better solution than surgery to combat persistent inflammation of the foot pain.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bunions are called sugar fingers. This is due to the fact that bunions grow on the meridian, which is responsible for sugar metabolism. This meridian is called the Foot Tayyin, or the Spleen Meridian. It starts from the big toe, runs along the medial side of the foot and lower leg to the trunk. Some of the conditions that are treated along this meridian are digestive problems, diabetes, intestinal upset, swelling, and even bruising. A biweekly acupuncture treatment using an ointment every day should provide good relief from sugar toes.

Homeopathic treatment for bunions

Homeopathic treatment for hallux valgus can provide a complete cure for hallux valgus. With the help of homeopathic remedies, based on the rules of similarity, the pain and swelling around the big toe are alleviated, followed by a complete cure of the ball of the big thumb. The homeopathic remedies are carefully chosen on the basis of distinguishing symptoms described by each particular patient.

Benzoic acid:

Benzoic acid is the best homeopathic medicine for bunions accompanied by acute swelling and pain. Natural homeopathic medicine Benzoic acid is the best remedy for treating pads with acute swelling and pain. The person has significant swelling and redness over the big toe with severe pain. The pain can have different characters, such as stabbing pain or tearing pain. The pain and swelling are reduced very quickly through the use of benzoic acid. This homeopathic medicine is also of great help when the pain in the big toe mostly gets worse at night.

Silicea:

Silicea is a homeopathic treatment for hallux valgus associated with blistering.

For the healing of bunions in which eruptions and blisters have developed on the big toe along with other symptoms, Silicea is the most useful natural medication. In the majority of cases, the blisters contain liquid or pus and Silicea is a great homeopathic remedy in both scenarios. Along with blisters, pain can be felt in the toe or it can extend across the sole of the foot. Pain can be dull, excruciating, or stabbing in nature. A marked feature that adds weight to the choice of the Silicea homeopathic remedy is excessive sweating of the feet. Sweat is most often offensive in nature. Extreme sensitivity to cold air is another peculiar feature along with sweat which must be considered a symptom of high value when choosing Silicea as a homeopathic remedy for hallux valgus with blisters.

Hypericum:

Hypericum is a very effective homeopathic medicine for severe big toe pain due to bunion. Hypericum is a homeopathic medicine that is of great help in all cases of bursitis in which severe excruciating pain in the big toe is expressed. The pain can sometimes be specifically described by the patient as pain from a needle stick. Severe pain indicates nerve damage. The fingers are also sore to the touch with swelling. The patient can get rid of severe pain in the toe with bursitis with the homeopathic remedy St. John’s wort without any side effects.

Rhus Toxicodendron and Ruta:

These two homeopathic remedies are effective for bunions associated with edema.

The natural homeopathic remedies Rhus Toxicodendron and Ruta are very helpful for bunions with swelling and thickening of the skin surface. The toe also has a distorted shape. Both Rhus Toxicodendron and Ruta are the best homeopathic remedies for joint capsule diseases. Pain in toes and feet can be noticed with any of these remedies. Rhus Toxicodendron is the best homeopathic remedy when pain in the big toe and feet increases during rest and improves with walking. Ruta is the ideal homeopathic medicine when the pain worsens from standing and walking.

Natural treatment for bunions in Philadelphia.

For natural treatment of bunions contact Philadelphia Holistic Treatment. At the clinic, we have all holistic techniques performed by licensed professionals under the strict supervision of medical doctor Victor Tsan.

To schedule your appointment for evaluation call (267) 284-3085 or scan the QR code below.

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