OUR TREATMENTS
Treatment Techniques
At Adelaide Bunion Clinic, there are five techniques we use to treat bunions conservatively:
Foot Mobilisation Therapy
Foot Mobilisation Therapy is a gentle ‘hands-on’ treatment that improves the function and mobility of your big toe and feet.
The role of foot mobilisation for bunion treatment is to reduce pain and realign the joints. Joint mobilisation is natural way to create healthy movement back in the big toe joint where the bunion is. It is a series of gentle hands-on movements that stimulates the connective tissue and collagen which research has found works over a 12-week cycle. With each foot containing 26 bones that all move independently of each other, over time these joints lock up as a result of the impact sustained from running, walking, standing and general life. This is particularly true for the big toe joint which is one of the most important joints in the foot.
We find Foot Mobilisation Therapy most effective for ‘unlocking’ these joints, particularly the big toe joint. Foot mobilisation can help pain but also over a period of time can get the big toe to straighten up when complimented with exercises. We can use foot mobilisation for a variety of foot and leg conditions, but with over 10 years of experience with foot mobilisation, it works best to treat bunions and arthritis. It tends to be used as an adjunct to help other musculoskeletal injuries.
Intrinsic Foot Exercises
Dry Needling?
What is Dry Needling?
The role of dry needling is to reduce pain. Dry needling is a technique that is now considered the gold standard in releasing tight muscles. It is a technique that consists of inserting a small acupuncture needle (approximately 0.3mm thick) into a trigger point within the small muscles of the foot.
The needle is inserted into the trigger points in the muscle belly. Trigger points may develop in a muscle following an injury or over time as a result of repeated overload or stress to the muscle. By inserting the dry needle, the muscle to contract briefly. This is referred to as a “twitch”.
Following the “twitch” the muscle relaxes and this in turn allows it to relax and reduce pain.
What Are The Benefits Of Dry Needling?
- Helps to loosen stiff muscles
- Eases joint pain
- Improves oxygen circulation and blood flow in the foot
- Improves joint range of motion and flexibility
High Powered Class - 4 Cold Laser Therapy
We use one of the most technologically advanced powerful lasers on the market. The Class – 4 K- Laser developed in Europe. This laser is designed to reduce pain. It efficiently help with inflammation and offer the opportunity to significantly reducing the dependent for drugs. It helps with tissue healing. The laser has been found to improve recovery and the range of motion of joints. It has a pleasant warm sensation.
As it is a Class 4 Laser, it has utilises 4 wavelengths. Here is the science about each of the wavelengths and what they do:
- 800nm => ATP
The primary process that we want to increase is the production of ATP in the mitochondria to accelerate cell healing. Therefore we use 800nm which targets Cytochrome c oxydase and enhances the use of oxygen to generate ATP.
- 905nm => Oxygenation
As we are using the oxygen in an accelerated way due to the action of 800nm we need to bring more oxygen to feed the process. Therefore we use 905nm which targets hemoglobin and forces oxygen release.
- 970nm => Vasodilation
The oxygen is being extracted due to the action of 905nm but if we want to maintain the efficiency of the process we need to bring new blood. Therefore we use 970nm as a vasodilator as it will create a temperature gradient into the tissue by targeting water specifically.
- 660nm => Skin/Wound healing
660nm is the visible red light, it does not penetrate tissue very deeply but is very efficient at healing wounds and healing skin conditions.
Custom Designed and Manufactured Orthotics
The orthotic may be recommended to:
- Reduce Pain
- Retard the Progression of the Bunion
- Prevent Bunion Surgery
The orthotic will increase the pitch of the arch, thus opening up the big toe joint where the bunion is. It will also stop the leg and foot from rolling in, which puts more force and pressure on the inside of the big toe which causes it to deviate across.
The orthotic addresses two of the causes of the bunion:
1. The flattening out of the foot which jams up the big toe
2. The internal rotation of the foot and leg
Do Over-The-Counter Bunion Treatment Options Work?
When it comes to managing the discomfort and symptoms associated with bunions, several over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options are available. While these may offer temporary relief and may be included as part of a broader treatment plan designed by your podiatrist, they are not effective as a comprehensive solution.
Bunion Correctors
Bunion correctors are orthotic devices that aim to realign the big toe and provide relief from bunion-related discomfort. While these may offer temporary relief, they are generally not considered a permanent solution and are unlikely to result in full bunion correction.
Toe Separators
Toe separators are small, often silicone-based, inserts that fit between your toes, aiding in their alignment. These can provide short-term relief from the friction between a bunion and the adjacent toe. Like other OTC options, toe separators won’t resolve the root cause of the issue but can be part of an overall treatment plan.
Bunion Pads/Sleeves
Bunion pads or sleeves are cushioned barriers that you can wear over your bunion to reduce friction and pressure when wearing shoes. They can be a quick and easy way to find temporary relief, especially if you need to be on your feet for extended periods.
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can be effective in reducing inflammation and providing pain relief. NSAIDs only offer symptomatic relief and will not stop your bunion from progressing.
OTC bunion treatment options can be valuable for managing symptoms temporarily. However, the question of effective bunion correction is complex and should be addressed through consultation with a qualified podiatrist. A podiatrist can perform a proper assessment and develop a tailored treatment plan that may include some of these OTC options as supplementary measures.
