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Three Ways To Soothe Your Bunions After A Long Day In Shoes

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After spending all day in uncomfortable shoes, bunions can get pretty sore. While the only way to permanently fix the problem is to have your bunions corrected surgically, most mild to moderate cases of bunions can be made less annoying by simply treating the pain and discomfort when it occurs. At the end of a long day, try one or more of these methods to alleviate bunion pain:

Epsom Salt Soak

When you soak your feet in Epsom salts, the magnesium ions in the salts actually penetrate your skin and work their way into your muscles and other soft tissues, where they help alleviate soreness. Make an Epsom salt soak by tossing a generous handful of Epsom salts into a soaking tub filled with a few gallons of warm water. Let your feet soak for 20 - 30 minutes. You should notice an immediate reduction in pain and stiffness.

Oily Foot Massage

Massaging your bunions can help loosen the muscles in the area, so there is less strain on your toe joints. Using oil is essential because it allows your hands to move smoothly over the skin instead of causing further irritation with friction. If you do not have massage oil at home, just use a little coconut oil or olive oil.

Foot Exercises

There are numerous foot exercises you can perform to help alleviate bunion pain. You may have to try a few before you find ones that work for you. Simple exercises to try include:

Flexing against a wall: While standing, press your toes against a wall. Your heel should still be resting on the ground. Hold your toes in this flexed position for about 10 seconds, and then step away from the wall and curl your toes under your foot. Hold this position for another 10 seconds. Repeat this process about 3 times on each foot.

Ball Rolling: Place a tennis ball under the ball of your foot, and roll it back and forth across the floor. This exercise is particularly useful if you have cramping in your feet.

Towel curls: Sit on the floor with one leg stretched straight out in front of you and the other one bent at the knee. Wind a towel into a tight bundle, and loop it around the toes of your outstretched leg. Push it away from you with your toes, and then use the towel to pull your toes back toward you.

By exercising, massaging, and soaking your feet, you should be able to alleviate mild to moderate bunion pain. If you are unable to experience relief with these tips, contact a podiatrist. He or she may be able to recommend additional exercises, splints, or surgery to keep your bunion pain at bay.

For more information, contact Allied Ankle & Foot Care Centers PC or a similar organization.


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