Bunion: A dislocation of the big toe, causing it to drift closer to the second toe.
- Reason: Hereditary structural problems (flat feet or low arches), excessive pronation; shoes that are so tight or short that they squeeze your toes.
- RX: Wear shoes with a wide toe box that won’t rub on the big toe; make sure you have half an inch of space between the end of your longest toe and the tip of the shoe; use a bunion cushion (sold in drug stores) to protect the protrusion. Schwartz suggests doing exercises with spacers (www.yogatoes.com) placed between your toes to help straighten the big toe and strengthen the muscles weakened by the bunion.
Hammertoe: This occurs when one of the small toes bends at the joint nearest the nail and points down, like the business end of a hammer—and stays that way.
- Reason: Tight shoes; hereditary structural problems that can worsen over time as foot muscles weaken; muscle weakness in the calves and shins; arthritis; instability in the foot as it pushes off during walking or running.
- RX: Wear shoes with high toe boxes so there’s no pressure on the hammertoes and exercise the muscles on the bottom of your feet and backs of your legs (see No. 6 above).
By Jennifer Lang for Natural Solutions Magazine. Originally published on Care2.com.
