A Variety of Shoes
Prone To Bunions? Here Are Some Tips To Keep Them At Bay
Tessa Jean
If your parents have bunions, you wear heels on a regular basis, or you have had a lot of foot injuries in the past, you are at an increased risk of bunions in comparison to the general population. Bunions, which are bony growths at the outside base of your big toe, can be pretty painful and make shoes hard to fit. So, you'll want to do a few things to keep their development at bay.
Minimize your use of high heels.
If you work in an environment where heels the the norm, this may be easier said than done. But there are a few small measures you can take, and these add up quickly to reduce your risk of bunions. Buy slightly lower heels when possible, as this puts less pressure on your toes. (For example, a 2-inch heel is not great, but it's better than a 3-inch heel.) Wear other shoes during your commute and when you're on lunch; change back into heels for meetings and other more formal occasions. Buy good quality heels from a reputable shoe store rather than suffering through cheap, uncomfortable shoes.
Massage your feet regularly.
Muscle tightness can put continued pressure on your big toe joints, making bunions more likely. A good way to alleviate this tightness is to massage your feet a few times a week. Just sit back on your couch, apply a little lotion to your feet, and give them a good rub. Start with light pressure, and build up to more intense pressure as you go. If you notice your feet getting tight throughout the day, you can even give them a quick massage to ease the discomfort.
Invest in orthotics.
Consider visiting a podiatrist and asking them to make specialized orthotics for your shoes. Even if you do not have any overt foot problems yet, your podiatrist can detect areas where your shoes are putting too much pressure on your foot. An orthotic designed especially for your foot can re-distribute the pressure so you're less likely to develop deformities, including bunions, over time. Over-the-counter orthotics from the pharmacy are a decent substitute if you're on a tight budget, but they are not as customized, so they may not be quite as effective.
To learn more about bunion prevention, talk to a podiatrist in your area. They can also look at your feet and tell you if you're beginning to develop bunions or if you're still completely in the clear. Visit a site like http://www.yourfootdocs.com for more information.
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Growing up, I was never very interested in buying a large quantity of shoes to pair with my outfits. I rarely owned more than five or six pairs of shoes at any given time. I usually wore either my favorite pair of sneakers, boots, flats, or heels everywhere I went. When I married my amazing husband ten years ago, my shoe closet expanded. My generous spouse encouraged me to buy some several pairs of cute shoes to match my clothing. After shopping for new shoes, I was hooked. Now, I rarely wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Thankfully, I’ve learned that wearing a different type of shoe each day is good for my foot health. On this blog, you will discover the most important benefits of wearing a different kind of shoe every day of the week.