Many talented actresses and actors are nominated for the 2015 Academy Awards—simply being selected is an achievement in itself. Even winners can be losers too, though, if someone develops bunion pain from wearing high heels to the ceremony.
High heels don’t cause bunions, a subluxation of the big toe joint that creates a bony prominence on the inside of your foot, but they can aggravate the deformity. When you put your foot in a high heel, all your body weight is shifted onto the ball of your foot, where the bunion is. The pressure and stress on the bones create aching bunion pain that gets worse over time. Some people who have a bunion also have a displaced bone that changes the way their foot moves, which can further aggravate the area.
Pointy toes can also cram the digits together, further squeezing your bunion and creating discomfort. This may cause your big toe to drift towards your little toes, a common visible characteristic of a bunion.
Your first plan of attack could be switching to lower heels (less than 2 inches high). However, if the bunion is already there it’s only going to get worse and cause you more pain in the future. Surgery to straighten the toe is the best solution.
At Kevin J. Powers, DPM, we offer multiple types of procedures to help you banish bunion pain. Dr. Kevin Powers has performed hundreds of successful procedures in his 25 years as a podiatrist. Please make an appointment at (812) 333-4422 to discuss your options with professionals.
What do you do on a rainy day in the summer with the family at home? Go find a great music concert! Check out Summer Jam at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, IN. Rock out and dance the night away at this family-friendly show with loads of great music and talent. If you have painful bunions on the other hand, you may not want to step foot on a dance floor period. We don’t want our patients being hindered by foot pain, so here are some easy bunion exercises that you can do right at home.
Start by sitting in a comfy chair with your feet flat on the floor. Place twenty marbles on the floor and use your toes to pick them up one by one and drop them into a bowl next to your feet. Place a golf ball under your foot and roll it around underneath for a couple of minutes to help with cramping and foot strain. Massaging your foot with a frozen water bottle is also effective. Next, point and then curl your toes under ten times in a row for a good toe stretch. Bring one foot up over to rest on the other knee and gently stretch your big toe back into proper alignment. Hold it there for ten seconds and then repeat this four times on each foot. Now, wrap a towel or resistance band around your big toe and press down with your toe while you pull back. Last, press your toes flat against a wall to flex and stretch them. Hold the position for ten seconds and repeat several times before switching feet.
Bunions are often progressive and will get worse if you don’t care for your feet. Do these bunion exercises at home, wear good, supportive shoes, and see us if your pain persists. Contact Kevin J. Powers, DPM for conservative treatment options that will keep your feet healthy and pain-free on the dance floor, and all day long. Call our Bloomington, IN, office at (812) 333-4422 or use our contact page online to reach us.
Photo Credit: David Mark via Pixabay.com
