How Do You Prevent a Bunion From Getting Worse?

A natural approach to bunion rehabilitation can, in many cases, be very helpful in preventing the deformity from getting worse, though this always depends on the severity of the bunion and how long the problem has existed before beginning a foot and toe rehabilitation program.

In our experience, we have found that the Big Toe Stretch is an effective frontline approach in preventing the worsening of a bunion. This exercise can be performed on a regular basis to help stretch a tight adductor hallucis muscle (a common finding in people with bunions). Stretching the tight muscles and tendons on the inside aspect of the big toe is an important step in preventing a worsening of the bunion deformity, however, performing this stretch alone may not be enough for most people to successfully reverse their bunion, especially if the bunion has been present for a long time and the tissues that surround and act upon the big toe are tight and stiff.

For most people, using Correct Toes toe spacers in combination with men’s and women’s foot-healthy footwear (i.e., footwear that respects normal and natural foot and toe anatomy) is one of the most effective strategies in reversing bunions or preventing bunions from worsening. It is vitally important to avoid using footwear (that’s any footwear with a tapering toe box) that forces your toes into a bunion configuration. Simple and unobtrusive metatarsal pads (as well as toe socks) can also be very useful in realigning the toes, including the big toe, and the FootFitter Shoe Stretcher can help modify footwear to better accommodate the bunion deformity and prevent rubbing. BlackBoard ToeBands are another tool you can use to prevent a bunion from getting worse and build stronger feet. There are also several easy exercises (in addition to the Big Toe Stretch) that help manage existing bunions, and they are demonstrated in this video.

If you want to learn more about bunions and their true underlying cause, as well as natural, non-invasive, and non-surgical approaches to this common foot problem, this video provides some excellent insight.