Do you suffer from bunions?
Have you seen one starting to develop? Or do you know that bunions were in your family and you want to know how to prevent them with proper foot wearing?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes then this article is for you.
Actually, this is a common problem that a lot of people face that causes them pain and gets in the way of them enjoying their meaningful activities and exercise.
So, what can you do about it?
We’re going to discuss how footwear may or may not be part of the prevention and part of the solution as well.
So does wearing minimal footwear or you know ditching the high heels and wearing barefoot types of footwear that make a difference?
What kind of shoes not to wear if you have bunions?
The clearest sign of a bunion is a bump that sticks out from the side of your big toe.
If you have one, it can be a rather painful experience.
The proper medical term for a bunion is hallux valgus. if you wear incorrect footwear then the risk of developing this deformity becomes higher.
Your toes are meant to lie flat and feel comfortable inside a shoe without getting pressed against one another they should have enough room to move.
However, if you wear high heels you might encounter a couple of problems.
They put all your body weight onto your toes and they usually crowd your toes together while wearing high heels you can’t wiggle your toes because they are performing the important function of keeping you balanced. So, they’re tight and under the pressure of your weight ideally, you should wear shoes with heels less than two inches.
If you wear shoes that are too narrow or tight there won’t be any room for your toes to move.
If you wear shoes that are too pointy like flat shoes with a pointed toe then not only are your toes getting crowded but they’re also being shaped into an unnatural position where your big toe has been inward.
So, this is the time to give your toes some relief by getting some proper footwear.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information– Bunions are far more common in women than in men – probably because they tend to have weaker connective tissue in their feet and are more likely to wear tight, high-heeled shoes. It is estimated that about 1 out of 3 people over the age of 65 have a bunion to some degree.
What type of shoes is better for a person with bunions?
We all know that wearing the wrong footwear can lead to many foot conditions like bunions, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, etc. but how to choose the right one.
Let discuss,
1. Think about proper shoe sizing
If you have bunions, it is crucial that wear properly sized footwear. Measure your foot properly before choosing one.
So, the first step to improving the alignment of our toes and avoiding unnecessary bunion strain is to select shoes that are the right fit for you. If you want to know how correctly measure your foot check out this article.
Also, make sure that wide enough in the toe box to accommodate our toes and their spread during walking.
2. Toe box design
If you have bunions, it is important to make sure you get a wide-toe box that leaves room for your bunions.
According to the research wearing minimal footwear with a wide toe box may not only help reduce the risk of forming bunions later in life but even if you already have bunions, you actually may be able to reduce the amount or severity of those bunions.
So, it is important that choose shoes without generating any type of pressure or discomfort in the bunion area. The use of narrow shoes at the front should be limited as much as possible, as they will only contribute to accentuating the pain.
3. Avoid high heel shoes
Foot experts say people who suffer from bunions should limit the use of high-heeled shoes as much as possible, especially for prolonged periods.
This type of footwear places all the pressure and weight of the body on the forefoot, increasing discomfort and contributing to the further development of the bunion.
4. Weight of the shoes
You may probably know that lightweight shoes are better for people with bunions and other foot problems.
If you have bunions, wearing shoes that are too heavyweight for a long time, encourages the pressure of your forefoot which promotes the formation of the characteristic bony bump that distinguishes this condition.
Can shoes really correct bunions?
It really depends upon your condition. if your condition is worse consult with your doctor or physiotherapist. However, the early stages of bunions can be treated with proper footwear and toe separators.
Does not wearing shoes help bunions?
The exact cause of a bunion is not known, but there are several factors that increase the risk of suffering from it.
As we have said, it is a more common disorder in women, mainly in the elderly.
It is also more frequent in people whose family already has cases of bunions since an arrangement of the structure and anatomy of the foot can be inherited.
Another risk factor is secondary foot injuries or arthritis, a disease that inflames the joints.
Generally, the appearance of bunions is associated with the use of inappropriate footwear. For example, it can be caused by frequent use of high-heeled shoes or shoes that are too narrow or tight at the toe, as the bones and muscles of the foot are put under greater stress when walking and the side of the shoe pushes and twists the big toe on the foot.
The question is does not wearing shoes help bunions?
The answer is YES. But not wearing shoes all time is not practically possible. So, wearing wider-toe boxed shoes and minimalist shoes or wearing flip-flops and crocs are helpful.
Final Thoughts
The idea is that the treatment of bunions is conservative, that is, based on non-aggressive measures, but this is not always possible.
Since people who suffer from it usually consult their doctor when the problem has already advanced and they feel pain or suffer difficulty with shoes or walking.
However, the best thing we can do to take care of our feet is to wear proper footwear.
That is, narrow-toed shoes or shoes with a heel that is too high should be avoided.
On the other hand, those with a wide last and whose heel does not exceed four centimeters should be chosen. It is also convenient that the skin of the upper part is soft and flexible.
I hope you found this article interesting and useful.
With that, it’s time to hear what you have to say.
Now you may have a clear idea about what type of footwear is best for bunions and how to choose the right one.
Or maybe you have a question.
Either way, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
