Remedies to Relieve the Pain of Bunions

If you wear narrow shows frequently you will run the risk of getting those painful bunions that develop on the toes, especially the big toe. Bunions are caused by a swelling of the joint and produce a red, swollen, and painful knot on the bone just under the big toe. Serious cases of bunions often result in your big toe literally being pushed on to the second toe in a crocked position. This can mess up the alignment of your foot causing extreme pain and difficulty walking. You will no longer be able to wear narrow or high heel shoes. Many people are forced to have the bunions surgically removed because of the intense pain, discomfort and the inability to wear some shoes. Sometimes narrow shows are not the only cause, heredity can play a part in who is more accessible in getting bunions. Those who have a low arch or no arch can develop bunions if they wear narrow shows often.

Many doctors advise people to wear more comfortable, wider shoes to treat bunions. However, other than wearing different types of shoes there are a number of home remedies that are very effective in relieving the pain caused by bunions. The first remedy to relieve bunion pain is to stretch the big toe. As simple as this sounds it helps reduce the pain of bunions. But stretching your toe is much different and difficult than stretching a muscle. So, what you need to do is get a thick, stiff rubber band and wrap it around both big toes. Keep your heels together and move the tops of your feet apart forming a V shape. Hold the stretch for 5 to 10 seconds, relax, and repeat 10 to 20 times. If it is too painful, reduce the number of times you perform the stretch but do some because eventually your toes will strengthen.

For fast relief from the pain of bunions, try applying ice wrapped in a cloth or plastic bag to the bunion in three 10-minute intervals. Apply for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, doing this two to three times a day. Soak your feet but not just with warm water, get some aspirin, crush it, and pour it into the warm water soaking your feet for however long you need. Another remedy to relieve the pain of bunions is to apply some castor oil to help reduce the swelling. Yu can run some castor oil after your foot soak and cover with a cloth or soft bandage so the oil will stay in place. The last remedy to help relieve bunion pain is to massage your foot and leg. You can use some massage oil rubbing in a circular motion starting with your ankle and moving up to your leg pressing firmly with both thumbs. Massage the areas up to a minute changing directions after each minute. Press hard enough to feel discomfort but not so hard that the pain becomes unbearable. Continue the massage all the way to just below the knee and then do the other leg, keep doing this massage everyday until you feel relief from the bunion pain.