Bunion Treatment
Expert Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment in Boulder
Are you experiencing discomfort from bunions but you're looking to avoid surgery? I offer expert non-surgical bunion treatments to alleviate bunion pain, restore function, and improve alignment without the need for invasive procedures.
What Are Bunions?
Bunions, or hallux valgus, affect about one-third of the population at some point in their lives. This condition is characterized by the big toe bending toward the smaller toes, causing a painful bony protrusion on the side of the foot. Common contributing factors include genetics, high-heeled or narrow shoes, and flat feet. Recognizing that your feet are your foundation, when left untreated, bunions can affect how your entire body moves, leading to knee, hip, and lower back issues.
Conservative Bunion Treatment: Non-Surgical Pain Relief in Boulder
Many people believe surgery is the only solution for bunions, but my approach offers effective non-surgical alternatives:
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Evaluation: My process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand the unique presentation of your bunion and tailor a personalized treatment plan.
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Custom Orthotics for Bunion Pain Relief: Depending on your clinical presentation, I might recommend orthotics to redistribute pressure away from the big toe. This intervention is often temporary, leveraged to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and help correct the deformity. I have affordable orthotic options.
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Toe Separators for Bunion Self-Care: I use custom silicone toe separators during the day and larger ones at night to improve alignment. Though custom-fit to your foot, this too is very inexpensive.
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Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Targeted exercises to increase flexibility and strength, essential components of bunion self-care.
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Footwear Education: Learn about the best footwear to prevent bunion progression and manage bunion pain relief.
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Manual Therapy and Modalities: Utilizing 18+ years as a doctor of physical therapy, I use advanced techniques such as shockwave therapy for bunions, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), red light therapy for bunions, dry needling, and skilled manual therapy for soft tissue release and joint mobilization to accelerate the process of eliminating pain, improving function, and correcting the deformity.
FAQs About Bunion Treatment
Can Bunions Be Corrected Without Surgery?
Yes, most cases of bunion deformity and pain can be effectively managed with non-surgical bunion treatment and physical therapy. The primary goals of my conservative approach are to:
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Manage and eliminate pain and inflammation in the big toe.
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Restore function to help you perform daily tasks and participate in your favorite athletic and recreational activities.
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Correct the bony alignment as much as possible, working to reclaim the natural structure of the foot.
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What Does Bunion Treatment Include?
My protocol is customized to your needs but generally includes orthotics, toe separators, stretches, strengthening exercises, mobility exercises, and footwear education. Clinical treatment provides skilled manual therapy and cutting-edge technology like shockwave therapy, red light therapy, PEMF, and Electrical Muscle Stimulation using the NeuX NXPro.
Does age impact bunion treatment?
Age can influence treatment, but bunion pain and deformity can be managed in most age groups, particularly in healthy individuals. While the goals and protocol may vary depending on your age, activity level, and overall health, I’ve had success treating bunions in both elderly patients and highly active individuals, and everyone in between.
How many sessions will it take to treat my bunion?
Treatment duration varies depending on the individual, with timelines typically ranging from 6 weeks to 6 months. On average, most patients see noticeable improvements within 2-3 months. I offer a range of packages at different price points to suit your needs, from more affordable, self-guided options to more comprehensive plans that include frequent clinical visits for closer guidance, hands-on manual therapy, and the use of advanced modalities and exercise equipment.
Can Bunion Deformity Be Reversed?
Yes, recent advancements have shown that consistent application of my protocol can reduce the angle of deformity. By committing to the prescribed plan for at least 2-3 months, and sometimes more, which includes exercises to improve flexibility, mobility, and strength, along with the use of custom toe spacers and sometimes orthotics, it’s possible to improve the alignment of the big toe and bring it back closer to its original position.
Why Choose Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy for Non-Surgical Bunion Treatment?
Treating in a community as active as Boulder, CO I regularly see bunion pain in runners, soccer players, football payers and more.
With over 18 years of experience, I specialize in managing bunion pain and deformity through a comprehensive, personalized approach. I combine advanced therapeutic exercises, skilled manual therapy, cutting-edge technology like shockwave therapy, red light therapy, and electrical stimulation, along with activity modification coaching.
As someone who has personally managed a bunion without surgery for over 15 years, I can attest to the effectiveness of these non-surgical strategies. This approach has allowed me to continue participating in all the sports and activities I enjoy. I am continually learning and applying new strategies to improve management, which I regularly practice on myself
Ready to step out of pain and back into your life?
Contact me today to schedule your comprehensive evaluation and discover how I can help you achieve bunion pain relief and functional living without surgery.