You develop a bunion when pressure pushes the big toe toward the second toe.

As the bone shifts, it causes a lump on the side of your foot.

Without treatment, bunions gradually enlarge and become inflamed.

Bunion exercises willnotshrink, reverse, or heal the bunion.

Other tactics, such as wearing wider, softer sneakers or orthotics may help.

Consult a podiatrist (foot specialist) if exercises dont help or the pain or bunion worsens.

They may recommend other conservative therapies to ease your symptoms.

However, surgery is the only way to repair a bunion.

Toe Circles

Toe circles are good for people with severe foot pain and difficulty walking due to bunions.

The benefits of this exercise include working on mobility and relieving pain and pressure.

To do this exercise:

Exercise Tip

Do bunion exercises barefoot.This allows optimal movement and bone alignment.

Toe Pulls

Toe pulls are gentle stretches that improve the mobility of the joint affected by bunions.

Mobility is essential for being able to walk.

How to complete this exercise:

3.

Do it as follows:

4.

Toe Spread

Toe splays help strengthen key foot muscles and reduce bunion-related pain.

Toe Spread With Rubber Bands

This resistance exercise may help bunions, toe cramps, and hammertoe.

Marble Pickup

The marble pickup activity is aimed at building toe and foot strength.

Heel raises

Heel raises are simple foot-strengthening exercises recommended for preventing and treating bunions.

If your bunions make this exercise too painful to do, begin slowly.

Instead of standing, make a run at heel raise while sitting.

If that causes pain, don’t continue.

Instead, consult a physical therapist or podiatrist.

Exercise With Caution

Bunion exercises can help build strength and improve functioning in your feet.

Other parts of your foot and leg pick up the slack.

At-home bunion treatments include:

A podiatrist may also recommend custom orthotics, splints, or braces.

Summary

There is no magic exercise that can shrink or heal bunions.

However, self-care and exercising may ease your pain and maintain mobility.

Exercises may relieve your pain but a bunion will only get worse without proper treatment.

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Elizabeth E. Auger, DPM.7 exercises great for relieving bunion pain.

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American Academy for Orthopaedic Surgeons.Turf toe.

American Academy for Orthopedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Bunions.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bunion surgery.