Educational Articles

A Natural Approach to Foot Care: How It All Began

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Disclaimer:

The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.

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Comments
November 03, 2023
Louise

I have a bunion on my left big toe and nothing on my right foot. Apparently, my toes are very flexible. Is there something noninvasive to help correct the misalignment?

November 03, 2023
Natural Footgear

Hi, Louise. Thank you for your question. We’re sorry to hear about the bunion at the base of your left big toe. The fact that your toes have retained good flexibility is a plus when it comes to the foot and toe rehabilitation process. Indeed, flexible toes are likely to respond more quickly to natural, noninvasive attempts to restore optimal toe alignment, though even folks with less toe mobility can still often benefit greatly from this kind of approach. It’s quite common for individuals to develop a bunion on just one side, as feet are frequently of different lengths and are impacted differently by footwear and other factors.

The most common underlying cause of bunions is conventional footwear, which possesses a variety of design elements that force your foot into a bunion configuration and hold it there, rigidly in some cases, for prolonged periods while you’re weight-bearing or at rest. Thus, footwear selection is a major consideration when it comes to rehabbing your affected big toe and giving your feet the best possible environment in which to thrive. We find that flat, flexible, and wide toe box footwear (and widest at the ends of the toes) works best. Other essential footgear we’ve found to be helpful for noninvasive bunion correction includes Correct Toes, Injinji toe socks, Pedag metatarsal pads, and BlackBoard ToeBands.

Certain stretches, including the Big Toe Stretch and the Toe Extensor Stretch, can be helpful for this purpose too. Also, we have a number of resources on our site that discuss bunions in greater detail, and we encourage you to check them out and let us know if you have any questions. Of course, before you begin any protocol intended to address a particular foot health concern, we always recommend that you consult a foot care provider so that you can receive the most nuanced and personalized care and treatment plan possible. We wish you all the best on your journey back to optimal toe alignment and foot function!

Yours in Foot Health,
Drs. Marty & Robyn Hughes

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