Bunions (Hallux valgus)

What you need to know:

Although many people used to blame bunions on wearing shoes with very pointed toes, this condition very often runs in families. If one of your parents or grandparents had them, you’re quite likely to get them too - even if you only ever wear sensible Clark’s sandals or Doc Martins.

However, if you’re a woman and wear this year’s very elegant high-heeled shoes with pointed toes all the time, you’re heading for trouble. Great - and very sexy - if you’re going out, but not when you’re on your feet all day at work, running for a bus or train, driving for hours or dashing around the supermarket. And apart from the risk of bunions, you’ll be putting your back, knees and Achilles tendons at risk, too.

It’s just as important to make sure that your socks are the right size - especially for young children, as their bones are soft and can easily be deformed by the pressure of tight socks.

There are some ways you can help yourself if you have bunions:

Get some foam rubber toe spacers - you can buy them from any chemist
Put one between the big and second toe so that it gently pushes the big toe into its proper alignment.
Change them regularly and throw them away when they become decompressed

Do this exercise as often as you can:

Take a wide 4-6 in. rubber band
Sit with your heels together and put the band round the tips of both big toes
Keeping your heels together, twist your legs outwards so that your feet form a V shape
Hold for a minute. Repeat 10 times
Do this exercise as many times a day as you can

Also, whenever you have a bath, try to hold each big toe in turn and wriggle it around in all directions.

If you already have arthritic bunions, these natural anti-inflammatories will help

The most useful Herbs:

Birch
Black cohosh
Meadowsweet
Poplar
Willow
Devil’s claw
Ginger - extracts of the medicinal Chinese variety of this herb

The most useful Supplements:

Green-lipped mussel extract
Evening primrose oil
Glucosamine
Cod liver oil
Fish oils
Pycnogenol

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The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.