The ways you can minimize a bunion include:

Many people with toe neuromas or degenerative changes to the foot or toes find that toe spacers can provide good relief, even while inside their shoes. As long as the spacer doesn’t negatively impact your foot strike biomechanics, they can be very useful to allow a wide and comfortable forefoot splay.”

Do toe separators really help? It depends on what you’re using them for, Dr. Jung says. These devices are designed to hold your toes in the “correct” position, which can help reduce pain, prevent ingrown toenails, and may help conditions that benefit from stretching, like hammertoes.

1. Wear wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole. In most cases, bunion pain is relieved by wearing wider shoes with adequate toe room and using other simple treatments to reduce pressure on the big toe.
2. Try bunion pads.
3. Hold an ice pack.
4. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
5. Try to lose weight.

1. Maintaining a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing pressure on the foot can help minimize bunions.
2. Use shoe inserts.
3. Orthotics and arch supports.
4. Apply ice packs and heat.
5. Wear comfortable shoes.
6. Toe points and curls.
7. Toe spread-outs.
8. Toe circles.

No. Bunions are progressive foot deformities that will only get worse with time. Orthotics and splints can change the positioning of the foot, aid foot functioning, and relieve pain, but they cannot reverse or stop a developing bunion. The only way to permanently correct a bunion is through surgery.

Treating bunions without surgery

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Protect the bunion with a moleskin or gel-filled pad, which you can buy at a drugstore.
3. Use shoe inserts to help position the foot correctly.
4. Under a doctor’s guidance, wear a splint at night to hold the toe straight and ease discomfort.

Exercises for bunion relief and prevention

1. Toe points and curls. This works on your toe joints by flexing the muscles under your feet.
2. Toe spread-outs. While sitting, place your foot on the floor.
3. Toe circles.
4. Assisted toe abduction with exercise band.
5. Ball roll.
6. Towel grip and pull.
7. Marble pickup.
8. Figure eight rotation.