Bunions are a common inquiry here, mainly amongst females who are prone to developing bunions for one reason: high heel shoes, ones that are tight fitting.

“More than half of U.S. women have bunions, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and nine out of 10 bunions occur in women. The main culprit for bunions is wearing tight, narrow shoes and high heels, the AAOS says. Ill-fitting shoes also can cause corns, calluses, and hammertoes.” – Brigham and Women’s Hospital

I have always wondered how women tolerate wearing high heel and tight-fitting shoes, especially tight fitting shoes. As a man, it’s baffling to me how women will tolerate the pain of wearing tight fitting shoes just to look good or sexy. And please, I’m not judging women at all!

I’m just trying to figure out what’s the incentive? What is the incentive, health-wise? An illusion? Something superficial? You develop bunions because you like the color and style of a shoe that just happens to be unhealthy for you?

As the body speaks via metaphor, bunions convey information – that your shoes are too tight! When your feet hurt and there is pain, this means the shoes are too tight and you need to stop wearing the particular shoes causing the problem (pain) and start wearing shoes that fit and that are comfortable.

What good is it to have pretty shoes but ugly feet because you got “Hammer time” going on with your toes? It really doesn’t make sense when you think about all the harm and damage done to your feet all in the name of fashion and style. You don’t have to harm yourself to look good.

Most bunions are the result of wearing tight fitting and thus uncomfortable shoes. What does wearing poor fitting shoes over a number of years get you but ugly feet and unnecessary surgery (to remove the bunions)?

A bunion is medically defined as “an abnormal enlargement of the joint at the base of the great toe. It is caused by inflammation of the bursa, usually as a result of chronic irritation and pressure from poorly fitted shoes. It is characterized by soreness, swelling, thickening of the skin, and lateral displacement of the great toe.” Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 3^rd edition, p. 179

The bursa is a fibrous sac between certain tendons and the bones beneath them. “Lined with a synovial membrane that secretes synovial fluid, the bursa acts as a small cushion that allows the tendon as it contracts and relaxes to move over the bone.” Ibid

Whatever may be the cause of the pressure to the big toe, it needs to end and fast. The health of your big toe (and all toes) depends on it.

Healing Bunions Naturally

Bunions can be treated by simply switching to shoes that fit properly, are comfortable, and that don’t squash the toes. Surgery is really unnecessary in the majority of cases:

“Most bunions do not need to be corrected with surgery, particularly if they are not causing pain.” Ibid

Feet should be soaked daily, especially after work, for a good 20-30 minutes. Soak the feet in warm water and 13 ounces of sea salt. You may add essential oil of Wintergreen, Eucalyptus, or Peppermint to the water if you like. After soaking your feet, oil them with a good oil, preferably our Healing and Rejuvenating Foot Oil. If you suffer from a toenail fungal infection, apply our “Toenail Fungal Oil” after soaking your feet.

If you have corns and/or calluses, after soaking your feet gently remove the callus or corn with a pumice stone, Hindu stone, or emery board. But remember, calluses and corns will go away on their own if proper care is given, i.e. comfortable shoes are worn, the feet soaked periodically and oiled afterwards, and/or massaged (reflexology).

Make sure you get your feet measured annually because as the older you become, the more your feet can grow and thus affecting the size of shoes you wear:

“Your foot size can change as you grow older and that's why it is important to have your feet measured regularly. Other tips from the AAOS for buying good-fitting shoes: (1) Always try on shoes to see if they fit. Don't just go by the size marked on the shoes, because shoe sizes can vary among brands. (2) Measure both feet, because most people have one foot that is slightly larger than the other. Fit the shoe to the larger foot. (3) Go shoe shopping at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest size. (4) Always stand up when you try on a shoe to make sure there is enough room for your toes. You should have at least a half-inch of space between the toe of the shoe and your longest toe. Walk in the shoe to check the fit and comfort. (5) Don't buy a shoe that is too tight, assuming that the shoes will stretch with wear.” Ibid

I highly recommend the wearing of sandals (if possible), even at work. One would be wise to forgo beauty and/or fashion and style and opt for comfort and health.

To naturally reduce the swelling, redness, and inflammation of a bunion, oil the bunioned toe (actually, all the toes) with a good botanical oil, i.e. olive, coconut, grape seed, or almond, and massage essential oil of Wintergreen, Peppermint, and/or Spearmint oil into the toe(s), or simply use our Healing and Rejuvenating Foot Oil.

Consume herbs such as Mullein leaf (capsules or tea form) or Acid Buster Formula and/or Mucus Buster Formula (capsules or tea).

Wear blue-colored socks as the color blue is the antidote to the color red which is the color of swelling and inflammation.

If you own an ozone machine, wrap the feet up in a large plastic bag and tie a string around the bag to trap in the enhanced oxygen (ozone), insert the hose into the bag (making sure no air can escape), and ozonate your feet for a good 30-60 minutes. Do this 2-3 times per week! Ozone will greatly rejuvenate your feet and toes – guaranteed!

If you like, you can get your feet waxed periodically with paraffin wax. Hot wax treatment can greatly help with swelling of the feet and toes. Hot wax machines are pretty economical and can be purchased at department stores or stores such as Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

With proper knowledge, you don’t have to be burdened by bunions.

Thank you for reading!

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