Are you suffering from bunion pain? Are you looking for ways to relieve your pain without undergoing surgery? Bunions are a common foot condition that affects many people. They're often caused by genetics, but can also be caused by the way a person walks or the types of shoes you wear. For example, many women who frequently wear stilettos may suffer bunions because the shoes put pressure on the bones around the front of the foot. Under such pressure, the bone or tissue just below the big toe can move out of place, forming a sizable bump. That's the bunion and it can cause even more discomfort. Here are three ways to relieve your pain without getting foot surgery:

Soak your foot. Your bunion may hurt most at the end of the day after you've spent the whole day on your feet. One of the best ways to relieve pain is to sit down and soak your foot in a bowl of cool water. To maximize the benefits, put some Epsom salt in the water. Epsom salt contains minerals that can be absorbed by the skin. Those minerals can be effective in relieving a wide range of pain, from migraines to achy knees to even bunions. Try a nightly soak to see if it has an impact on your discomfort.

Stretch. Stretching is an effective way to manage many different types of tissue and ligament pains and bunions are no exception. With a bunion, you'll likely want to focus the stretching on your big toe. If possible, get a strap to wrap around your toe. Then use it to pull your toe in a range of different directions. For example, you could pull it up toward you, then away from the second toe, and then toward the second toe. Hold the toe in position long enough to get a good stretch out of the movements. Repeat these exercises several times and on a nightly basis to maximize the results.

Try a splint. Much of your pain likely comes from the movement of your big toe. Every time you take a step or your toe moves, the bunion is aggravated. To minimize movement, try wearing a bunion splint. It's basically a small splint that goes over your big toe and holds it in place so it can't move. You should know, though, that a splint will likely make it awkward for you to walk. You may even have to limp as you adjust to it. You could also only wear the splint at night to avoid wearing it during the day. However, to get the best results, you'll want to wear it as much as possible.

For more information, visit your podiatrist. They can examine your bunion and recommend a treatment for pain relief. To learn more, contact someone like Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center.