2 Tips For Preventing The Formation Of Bunions On Your Toes
If you tend to suffer from recurring bunions, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to help prevent the formation of the painful spots on your toes. If so, use the following tips to help keep the pressure off of your toes and make the bunions less likely to develop.
1. Make Sure Your Shoes Fit Properly
One of the very first things you should look at in your efforts to prevent the formation of bunions on your toes is your shoes. Since bunions are caused by constant pressure on the skin covering protruding bones, having shoes that pinch your toes together or make your heels higher than your toes will contribute to them.
Try to avoid shoes with pointed toes or high heels when you are prone to the development of bunions. Your shoes should fit snugly around your toes while still leaving enough room for you to wiggle them.
Also, make sure that your shoes provide ample arch support to keep your heels and toes on the same level while cushioning the middle. This helps to distribute your body weight evenly and keep the pressure off of your toes. You may want to consider having your podiatrist fit you with orthotic inserts that are measured and custom-made to your feet's specifications.
2. Perform Toe-stretching Exercises a Few Times a Day
Even when you have shoes that fit properly, your toes are still cramped up inside of them for a good part of the day. This causes them to put pressure on each other for hours, which can contribute to the development of bunions.
One way you can help relieve some of the pressure is to perform toe-stretching exercises a few times a day, especially if you have to have shoes on for a long stretch of hours. Even when you are at work, try to slip your shoes off and spread your toes. Then, flex them several times before putting your shoes back on. Once you are home in the evening, you can beef up your exercises by attempting to pick up small items such as marbles or a pencil.
Even if you use the above tips, you may still find that you constantly develop bunions on your feet. If so, make an appointment with a foot specialist to have them examine your feet to determine the underlying cause of the issue as well as discuss treatment and prevention options.
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