Things You'll Need:
- orthotics
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Step 1
Decide on the severity of your bunion(s). Do you have bunions on both feet? Is one worse than the other? Do your toes overlap (does your first metetarsal - "big toe" - push your other toes so much that they are curling or overlapping?
If your bunion is so severe that you are in extreme pain, can't function normally or that your smaller toes are overlapping, surgery may be the only form of correction. -
Step 2
But if it is a mild bunion (ie your big toe mostly faces strait ahead), you can correct your bunion (relieve pain and the visual unattractiveness of the bump) without surgery.
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Step 3
Get fitted for orthotics. Your podiatrist can fit you for orthotics or you can contact companies like kevinorthotics.com or myofoot.com for at-home kits. These orthotic companies often will be able to send you a step-in mold. You mail the mold in and they send the orthotic back to you.
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Step 4
Make sure your arch is being lifted. Whether it is through custom orthotics or standard inserts, make sure that you are lifting your arch so that your foot is doing what is called "supination." When your arch is appropriately lifted, you will notice that your bunion seems to appear less severe.
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Step 5
Avoid, as much as possible, high-heeled and particularly pointy-toed shoes. Wear your orthotics as much as possible and vary the shoes in which you wear them.
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Step 6
Consider purchasing an item like Yoga Toes which help to separate and align your toes. You can wear these at night or at the office to train your toes to align regularly.
