INTRODUCING BUNION BOOTIES

Finally, a bunion correcting product that will fit into any shoe! As seen in the photo, they appear like a second skin—smooth, thin and flexible.

The Bunion Bootie is designed to guide the big toe back into its natural position, thus improving gait and reducing bunion pain. It is important to note that they are not suitable for individuals with bunions that have reached a severe state of deformity.

I have ordered bunion booties to test and review, so tune in for updates. If you are anxious to give them a try and should decide to order before my review is posted—Bunion Booties are available online only for US and Canadian residents at a cost of US$39.95 each, plus taxes and shipping/handling (discount offer applies on purchases of more than one Bunion Bootie). For more information or to place an order visit www.bunionbootie.com

 Product Details:

• Suitable for mild to moderate deformity
• Not recommended for those with diabetes or poor circulation
• Material made of woven nylon and polyurethane
• Ultrathin, flexible, breathable
• Provides a barrier to friction in shoes
• Suitable for all-day wear
• Heal strap ensures a no-slip fit
• Customized sizing available
• Hand-wash only
• Made in Japan

THE PERFECT FLIP FLOPS WITH ARCH SUPPORT

OKABASHI SURF

I have finally found what I believe are the perfect flip flops - OKABASHI!  Don't let the low price fool you, the quality is exceptional. They are solid and sturdy with true arch support, and feet don't slip around in them. One might find them surprisingly heavy for flip flops, but as a result they provide much better protection from pounding on the pavement than the classic flimsy flip flops. 

If you have flat feet or bunions and love flip flops, I highly recommend Okabashi.  My personal choice was the Men's Surf Flip Flops in brown.

                      OKABASHI CLASSIC

Product Details:

• Available in other styles and many colours
• Massaging Insole, Ergonomic Foot-bed, Superior Arch Support
• Signature Microplast Material: contains Anti-Microbial Agent, Anti-Slip, Anti-Odor, Vegan-Friendly, Latex-Free
• Durable, Waterproof, Dishwasher Safe
• 100% Recyclable
• Guaranteed for 2 years
• Made in the USA

SANDALS - STYLES THAT CAMOUFLAGE BUNIONS

It can be a challenge to find sandals that hide bunions and are also sexy, stylish and comfortable - but they are out there and the key to finding them is to focus your attention on what is appropriate for your feet and looks good on you, not someone else. Explore brands that design footwear for comfort and offer a selection of widths, such as Naturalizer, Naya, Aerosoles, and Ros Hommerson. You will be pleased to discover that there is more available for comfort than just "granny chic". Below are examples of current styles that will camouflage bunions - the focus being on the design of the forefoot area.

TIP

For women that will not give up thin strappy sandals and don't mind exposing their bunions in all their glory - when bunions are red, shiny and inflamed, apply a little bit of concealer and translucent powder on them and they will be less of an eyesore. 

Click here to review tips in the SHOE INTERVENTION FOR SANDAL SEASON post.

 

UPDATE - THE YogaToes® EXPERIMENT, DAY 36

After 36 days of using YogaToes all I can say is that they have served me well as toe separators for applying nail polish – but for this purpose I would have opted for something much less costly. 

The majority of the product claims I believe are exaggerated and misleading, offering false hope when it comes to correcting or realigning foot structure, straightening hammertoes or crossed toes, improving corns, treating bunions, improving posture, etc. For example: YogaToes are too flimsy and much too shallow to assist in straightening hammertoes, because your toes curl over the edge and there is no counter pressure to assist in any stretching, uncurling or straightening. If your goal is to straighten the big toe and take pressure of the bunion, you are better off trying a proper bunion splint because it is designed specifically for this purpose, also will also cost you much less. As for improving agility, balance and posture – to achieve these goals you actually have to do the appropriate physical exercises for your whole body, including your feet. To assist in stretching and strengthening your feet, you can use foot rollers, tennis balls and other gadgets that don’t cost much. As for corns, I don’t see how on earth YogaToes can improve corns – that claim makes me laugh.

My conclusion - YogaToes can provide some relief with a great counter stretch for toes that have been squished together in narrow or pointy ill-fitting shoes, and of course are useful in the application of nailpolish. Just out of curiosity, I will ask my Podiatrist what he thinks of YogaToes when I see him next, and will post a professional opinion - just in case I'm missing something and there happens to be some other obscure yet substantial benefit in using YogaToes.

SHOE INTERVENTION FOR SANDAL SEASON

It's sandal season and time for a shoe intervention for the good health of your feet.  Many women seem to think that the style of sandal as seen in the image to the left will bring relief and freedom for bunions and hammertoes, when in fact this style of sandal will only exacerbate these conditions and contribute to further foot problems.

As discussed in a previous shoe intervention post, much like flip-flops, these thin soled sandals without arch support or protection from pounding on the pavement contribute to quick callus build up, cause the feet to pronate (roll inward), and aggravate existing foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems. In addition to all of that, they don't allow you to walk with a normal gait - toes scrunch up, gripping for support as there is nothing to stabilize the foot upon movement. Oh yes, and then there is the extreme foot fatigue that comes with walking in this type of sandal for extended periods. 

These photos make you wonder about

the intelligence of the individuals
wearing these sandals and what

happened to their self-respect.

Below is an example of one of the
ways you can develop claw toes or

hammertoes.

Now the aesthetics - if the above information doesn't deter you from wearing this style of sandal, how about the extreme grotesqueness of how bunions and toe deformities are displayed in them. These sandals are in fashion, but they are not a smart  or attractive choice. The same applies to the high heel version, including all of the points above.



SANDAL TIPS

• Look for sandals that offer some arch support and cushioning in the footbed 
• Avoid strappy sandals that cut across the bunions, put pressure on them, or allow them to poke out between straps
• A strap over the instep will hold the foot back against the heel and prevent it from slipping forward, and will also prevent the heel from slipping out (note, flimsy straps on ill fitting sandals won't do the job)
• The shape of the sandal should be as close to the shape of your foot as possible
• Sandals for extensive walking should have arch support and shock absorbing soles
• Avoid extreme heel heights - but if you won't, then at least avoid walking in them for extended periods, or consider platforms or wedge heels as they take some pressure off the balls of the feet 

If you haven't already, check out this post: Celebrity Feet, A Shocking Eye-Opener.

Coming in the next post, tips on how to camouflage bunions with the right style of sandal and maintain some dignity . 

A FISH PEDICURE - CREEPY OR SCINTILLATING?

The Garra Rufa fish, also referred to as the Doctor Fish, is a toothless member of the Carp family. The fish were first used in Turkey in the early 1800's as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis - quickly becoming a popular therapeutic skin treatment throughout the Middle East and Europe. The fish sucking away dead skin where damaged or dead skin is shed proved to be beneficial in the healing of skin problems - because the fish produce enzymes which slow down the development of skin cells where problems occur.

These days Garra Rufa fish are part of a popular spa treatment in Europe, Asia, parts of the United States and Canada, used for manicures and pedicures. This is  considered to be a natural organic form of pedicure that improves circulation, leaves feet feeling rejuvenated and  provides general relaxation. Your hands and feet are immersed in water and are exfoliated by the fish sucking away dead skin. Some spas provide facilities for the immersion of your whole body - imagine that. 

The fish are starved before going into the foot

bath so that they are ravenous and do a good

job eating the dead skin, fungus and other crap

from your feet.

There is no way to sterilize fish since you can't boil the little suckers. So it is no surprise that the Garra Rufa fish pedicure is banned in many US states and Canadian provinces due to public health and sanitation concerns - one of them being, the the use of the same fish to clean the hands and feet of multiple clients and spreading infection. 

I personally find this creepy. How about you - would you try a fish pedicure?

TIPS FOR TIRED ACHY FEET

Strenuous walking, dancing, running or standing for long periods of time will obviously cause tired and achy feet, as will poor fitting shoes, high heels, tight socks, and reduced blood circulation. People with fallen arches or flat feet will have greater foot fatigue than those with normal feet due to pronation. Also, as one ages the feet naturally expand and flatten and the soles of the feet begin to thin - many suffer because they simply don’t recognize the need for a larger shoe size, or support and extra cushioning.

SIMPLE EFFECTIVE TIPS TO SOOTHE YOUR SOLES

• If you have fallen arches or flat feet, you need arch supports, insoles or orthotics. It is a good idea to consult a Podiatrist if you have flat feet or chronic pain. 

• If you don’t need orthotics but have thin sensitive soles, use gel insoles for comfort and shock absorption. 

• Try to cut down your high heel wearing time. Take a second pair of comfortable shoes along with you, so you can give your feet a break wherever you might be. The ballet style flats that are in style these days are not a good substitute as they provide no support and are generally bad for your feet.

• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed, or sitting on your feet or lower legs as this restricts circulation and causes feet to swell. At the end of the day spend half an hour relaxing with your feet raised up.

• Exercising and stretching will help lengthen tight cramped muscles and improve circulation. For example, rolling your feet across a firm ball such as a tennis ball or golf ball will activate acupressure points on the bottoms of your feet increasing circulation, oxygen flow and flexibility, resulting in decreased foot fatigue. You can also try a foot acupressure roller.

• Foot baths can do wonders to treat your feet as well as help you relax after a long day. Below are a few easy foot soak recipes to try.

Salt Bath for Sore Swollen Feet

Ingredients

• Water, enough to cover your feet and reach your ankles
• 1/2 cup of sea salt or Epsom salt

Preparation

• Boil water and let it cool down to a temperature you feel comfortable with.
• Add salt into it, let it dissolve and soak feet.

Peppermint Foot Soak to Rejuvenate Feet

Ingredients

• Water, enough to cover your feet and reach your ankles
• 3 drops ofpeppermint essential oil
• 1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil and 1 drop of lemon essential oil

Preparation

• Boil water and let it cool down to a temperature you feel comfortable with.
• Add the oils and soak feet.

Lavender Herbal Foot Bath to Relax Feet

 Ingredients

• Water, enough to cover your feet and reach your ankles
• 2 drops of lavender essential oil
• 1/4 cup of sea salt or Epsom salt

Preparation

• Boil water and let it cool down to a temperature you feel comfortable with.
• Add lavender oil and salt and soak your feet.

100% Pure & Natural Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil - Beginners Best of the Best, Set of 14

BUNION BREAKING NEWS!

JUST ANOTHER CASE OF PERFORMANCE COSTUME SPECTACLE TURNED FASHION CRAZE - IN THIS CASE BY MEN!

During an interview in this clip, university student Pascual Escobedo says, "for him the boots were a must to score with the opposite sex, and that girls wouldn't dance with you if you didn't have the pointy boots". This is very odd - I just don't see how one could partner dance with a guy wearing these things as they take up so much floor space; but to begin with, what woman would actually be drawn to a guy sporting these ridiculous boots on the dance floor, or anywhere in public for that matter - surprisingly they are out there and these boots are considered to be chick magnets.