Bunions are a common foot deformity that many people experience during their lifetime. Bunions can cause pain and discomfort in the feet and may even lead to arthritis in some cases.
The question we will answer today; will running make your bunion worse? This is an important question for anyone who experiences foot pain while running because it could indicate a need for additional treatment or shoe modification to prevent worsening of the condition.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as there is limited research on the subject. However, many experts believe that running can make bunions worse in some cases. This is likely because running places a lot of stress and strain on the feet, which may aggravate an existing bunion condition if you have the underlying causes.
The great news is that you don’t have to give up running just yet! There are easy ways to modify the way you run and treat your bunion that can help reduce any bunion problem without you giving up running. To explain this let’s first look at what causes a bunion
What is the cause of a bunion?
A bunion is a deformity that occurs when the big toe points towards the second toe. This can be caused by several things, including wearing tight shoes, genetic disposition, or arthritis. When you run, you place a lot of stress and strain on your feet, which may aggravate an existing bunion condition.
The primary cause out of all the above conditions is the genetic traits that lead to a bunion. The genetic traits that lead to a bunion is the level of misalignment within your foot and ankle, this in turn affects the way that you walk and run. They also affect how you displace pressure through your big toe and lead to the deviation in a big toe. The reason we know that these traits lead to a bunion rather than it being a direct genetic trait like eye colour or skin tone is that the earliest we see bunion form is at the age of 12 and the incidence increases from there.
A big thing is proper fitting footwear! Make sure to wear shoes with enough room in both width and length for your feet, especially if you have a tendency toward bunions or other foot problems.
What can I do for my bunion and keep running?
The best thing to do and what you can do straight away is to start wearing your shoes with plenty of room in the toe box and don’t be afraid to buy some specialised running shoe for people who have bunions. These type of sports footwear companies like Longevity will often work on these issues when making their respective products ensuring that they are not making the problem worse.
Some other things you can do to help is follow some simple exercises that stretch your feet and ankles in different directions, this will really help reduce stress on the big toe joint which in turn helps with the pain of bunions.
Are running shoes good for bunion? What type of shoe should I wear?
Running shoes are not necessary for people who have bunions, but they can be helpful if you want to avoid aggravating your condition. While there is no foolproof way of preventing bunion from getting worse while running, some brands like Longevity will often make their products with this in mind, including widening the toe box and making them gentler on the feet. You can also wear regular running shoes if they have enough room for your feet, but make sure you buy new ones once these become too old or start to fall apart at the seams.
As with any foot condition, it’s best not to ignore it and see a professional as soon as possible!
What is the conservative treatment?
At Alternative Foot Solutions we have over 19 years’ experience in treating bunions without surgery. The treatment consists of diagnosing the underlying cause and then going about improving the function of the foot and ankle. We do this through a hands-on technique that we combine with strengthening exercises that change the way you stand and walk and help improve the factors that lead to a bunion.
The benefits of this treatment
- Keep running
- No surgery
- No orthotics
- Keep wearing the shoes you love
What do I do next?
I would suggest you make the most of our 65% off Bunion assessment for just $35. In this assessment we will assess the underlying causes of your bunion and work with you to avoid surgery and keep you running. Just give us a call on (02) 8966 9300 or contact us at [email protected]
