Bunions can be a painful condition that force many people to a chair or a couch instead of leading an active life. Bunions are bony protrusions that usually form on the big toe. Bunions affect women even more than men and many times become an issue during pregnancy. Many exercises can be done that will allow an individual to feel much better and stop suffering from bunions.
Pulling Your Big Toe
Flexibility in the toes will help your bunions. Hold your right big toe with your thumb and forefinger of your right hand. Hold your left foot with your other hand. Take your big toe and try to pull it straight out. Hold the pull for a count of three. Let go and allow your toe to relax. Do this 10 times. Then, do the same set with your left big toe.
Foot Contractions
Sit down on the ground and bend your knees at a 45-degree angle so that your feet are flat on the floor. Contract your foot muscles so that the bottom of your foot curves a bit. Hold the contraction for three seconds. Relax and do this exercise 10 times. Take a 30-second break and repeat the set.
Big Toe Stretch
This will improve your flexibility and blood flow in your feet and big toes. Take a thick rubber band and loop it around your big toes. Spread your feet about four inches apart. This should make the rubber band taut. Pull the band with your toes for about three seconds and then relax. Do this 10 times, take a 30-second break and repeat the set.
Towel Pick Up
Stand on your left foot. Place a towel or a wash cloth on the ground. Put your right foot on the ground and attempt to pick up the towel with your toes. Lift it to knee height and let it drop to the floor. Pick it up 10 times in this manner. Do the same thing with your left foot. Take a 30-second break and repeat the set.
Circular Stretch
Take hold of your big toe between your thumb and forefinger. Make a small circle with your toe and then continue with the pattern two more times. Continue along in this pattern with the other four toes on your right foot and then do all the toes on your left foot. Take a 30-second break and then repeat the set. This will be good for circulation, range of motion and eliminating pain.
