Can yoga help treat bunions?
Medically, the condition is known as hallux valgus, and it is a progressive disorder that only gets worse as you age. When the bump grows larger, it may cause a lot of pain. It may also restrict your movement.
Surgery is usually the most common treatment for bunions; however, some people may perform yoga to slow the progression of malformations.
What Causes Bunions?
Bunions are genetic and are passed from one generation to another. Bunions are usually caused by a specific foot type. People who have such a foot are more prone to developing bunions. People who wear tight shoes, or shoes that crowd the toes, may be more prone to developing bunions. Additionally, bunions are more common in women than in men.
Yoga Poses for Bunions
As mentioned above, many people opt for yoga to slow down the progression of the joint malformation. Standing poses are considered ideal for bunions. Some of the best yoga poses for bunions include Vrkasana (Tree Pose), Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Vidharbhasana I, II, and III, (Warrior Pose I, II, and III), and Utkatasana (Chair Pose).
These standing poses help distribute your weight equally along your feet. When you place your feet flat on the ground for your yoga poses, you have to spread out your toes and grip the floor with them. This may help the bone turn back inwards. Standing poses place your foot in opposition to the joint malformation, slowing down its progression.
While yoga can help slow down the progression of the joint malformation, it may not be able to cure it completely. Therefore, do not consider yoga a treatment for the condition. A bunion can only be treated with the help of reconstructive surgery in which the malformed joints are realigned.
Alternative Treatment Options
There are some simple alternative treatment options for bunions. Apart from yoga, you can also try seeing a chiropractor for the condition. Since a chiropractor deals with the alignment of bones, they may be able to help you with your condition. Some people also consider massages to be therapeutic for bunions.
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