Bunion Surgery

I received an email from a visitor who was asking about natural/home remedies for bunion pain. After doing some research online I have compiled a short list which may or may not help with your bunion pain.

Hi,

I’m wondering if you tried any home remedies for the bunion pain before opting for surgery? I really don’t want surgery just yet, and I’m wondering what would help my poor feet!

Thanks!
Liz

Thanks for the question, Liz.

If you have bunions, you may wish to try some simple home remedies for relief instead of opting for painful surgery. Wearing the right kind of shoes to start with can certainly help, and the following natural home remedies have been shown to have some effect on bunion pain:

Ice

If your bunions are swollen or inflamed, ice can help relieve the pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it to your bunions for ten to fifteen minutes, up to three times per day. The ice will reduce the swelling and help the throbbing pain.

Massage

Massaging your bunions and the area around them can often help with pain relief and stiffness of the joint. Rub in a circular motion, gently at first, and press harder as long as it’s not too painful. Peppermint oil brings soothing, cooling relief to painful inflammation.

Toe Spacers

Bunions cause your big toe joint to become enlarged, which pushes your big toe in towards your other toes. This unnatural alignment puts pressure on the big toe joint which, eventually, will make walking even short distances a painful exercise.

At the drugstore or online, you can find toe spacers that can be slipped between your big toe and second toe. These spacers help push the big toe back into its regular alignment, which takes some of the pressure off of the joint.

Epsom Salts

Soaking in Epsom salts has been used as a home remedy for many ailments. Soaking your feet in Epsom salts and very warm water can help relieve the pain and swelling of bunions.

You can also try some of the commercial foot soaks you find in the drug store.

Try Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter pain relievers can ease the pain caused by your bunions. While OTC medications that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with the pain, anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) will relieve both the pain and the inflammation.

Hope that helps!