Popular Q&A: Bunions

Are Bunions Hereditary?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

A lot of people with bunions assume they are predisposed to developing this foot problem because their older relatives had bunions. But it's impossible to state that bunions are hereditary if all the members of one's family have worn shoes with tapering toe boxes. Shoes with this injurious design feature hold the big toe in a bunion configuration for prolonged periods and are the direct cause of bunions in most... Read more

Are There Any Exercises to Remove Bunions Instead of Surgery?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

The short answer is yes! But this depends on the severity of the bunion deformity and how long the problem has existed before beginning a bunion rehabilitation program. In our experience, we have found that the Big Toe Stretch is a helpful first-line exercise in achieving bunion correction. Stretching the tight muscles and tendons on the inside aspect of the big toe is an important step in this process, though... Read more

Do Men Develop Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Bunions are often considered to be a female-specific foot problem, but the truth is, these deformities frequently occur in people of all genders and ages (apart from the very youngest in our society, at least until conventional footwear is adopted). For women who wear high-heeled footwear frequently throughout their life, the likelihood of developing a bunion is quite high. However, due to the flawed shape and construction of modern shoes,... Read more

How Do You Prevent a Bunion From Getting Worse?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

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... Read more

What Are the Best Shoes for Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

While footwear alone is not likely to fully correct or heal a bunion, it can certainly have a massive impact on any bunion-related discomfort you experience as well as whether or not your bunion progresses and becomes more severe. The right footwear can also give you the best possible shot at rehabilitating your toes and restoring optimal foot health. So, paying close attention to the footwear you use on a... Read more