Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment

Bunions are painful, frustrating bumps that develop at the base of the big toe due to joint misalignment. They can cause discomfort, interfere with your daily activities, and make it hard to find comfortable shoes. Traditional treatment options usually recommend surgery, but non-surgical solutions are available—and effective. Our chiropractic approach offers gentle, safe, and non-invasive bunion relief to help you regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve foot health.

The Truth About Bunions

From the outside, bunions look like painful bumps that develop at the inside edge of the big toe. It’s tempting to think that you could just get the bump shaved down and you’d be all set, and that’s traditionally what bunion surgery has promised—with pretty poor results, and often repeated surgeries: my Mom’s had three, and still has awful bunions!

From the inside, you can see that the bunion bump at the ball of the foot is actually due to joint misalignment further back in your arch. So cutting the bone down and even putting screws in your foot isn’t a long-term solution, as the underlying instability hasn’t been addressed.

Surgical Options vs. Natural Bunion Care

There are several surgical options for bunion treatment, some of which are being marketed to the consumer as “minimally invasive.” Here’s a quick overview of the options, minus the marketing terms and technical jargon:

• Cutting slices out of the bones of the arch and big toe to “reshape” them, then adding screws to hold them there (see photo).

• Another option is fusing the big toe joint so the bunion can’t get any bigger, but now your big toe can’t bend when you walk.

• The newest procedure, lapidus surgery, is being heavily marketed by the medical device manufacturer as solving the problem by “correcting the underlying deformity.” But it uses screws and plates to fuse the part of the foot that needs to move the most! You need to be able to control movement in this part of your foot, not eliminate it with hardware.

All of these options unfortunately involve weeks to months of being in a cast or boot, off your feet, unable to drive, and many of them ultimately prove ineffective: the bunion comes back or you have “new problems” in other parts of the foot, knee, or hip. The good news is, you can shrink bunions naturally without surgery.

Why Choose Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment?

Opting for non-surgical bunion treatment has several benefits:

• No downtime: Without surgery, there’s no need for long recovery periods. You can continue your daily activities without major interruptions.

• Holistic approach: We focus on treating the underlying causes of bunions, including foot structure, gait alignment, and hip weakness rather than merely masking symptoms.

• Pain management without surgery: Many patients experience significant pain relief without the risks associated with surgery.

Essentially, we mobilize things that are stuck and strengthen things that are unstable.

Our Natural Approach to Bunions: Treat the Whole Foot

We understand that each patient’s bunion and foot structure are unique. That’s why our chiropractic approach to foot health is customized, utilizing a combination of techniques to relieve pain and realign your whole foot and body over time. Here’s what our non-surgical bunion treatment may include:

1. Gentle Joint Adjustments: Dr. Sue uses targeted adjustments to realign the joint in your big toe. This helps reduce pressure on the bunion and can gradually ease the joint back into a healthier position.

2. Foot and Gait Analysis: A thorough foot and gait analysis helps us identify structural imbalances contributing to your bunion. By understanding the root cause, we can make adjustments to prevent further bunion progression.

3. Toe Spacers: Toe spacers support your feet in the correct position, taking pressure off the bunion and promoting proper alignment with each step. These fit comfortably in most healthy wide toe box shoes, offering stability and relief.

4. Targeted Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Specific stretches and strengthening exercises can reduce bunion-related pain and increase mobility in your foot. Strengthening the muscles of the foot and hip support its alignment and lessens discomfort.

5. Lifestyle and Footwear Guidance: Wearing supportive, properly fitting footwear is crucial for bunion management. We provide guidance on selecting shoes that accommodate and protect your feet, reducing stress on the bunion and preventing further pain.

Get Relief from Bunions—No Surgery Required

Our non-surgical bunion treatment can help you experience lasting relief without the need for invasive procedures. At Synergy Chiropractic & Bodywork, we’re committed to improving your quality of life through natural, effective solutions.