So you have a bunion. Don’t be embarrassed. Did you know that around a quarter of the population has them? Bunions tend to run in families because they are most commonly caused by hereditary defects in the foot, resulting in a weak mechanical structure.

So, whereas you might have inherited your mother’s good sense of humor and beautiful smile, you might also (eek!) inherit her bunions.

Bunions are often caused by imbalances of the foot’s anatomical structure. Any changes in weight or structure can cause your foot bones to adjust and move to constantly work to keep our bodies balanced.

Life experiences such as childbearing or having our feet expand as we age can act as a bunion catalyst.

Whenever the bones of our foot get out of alignment, trouble can start.

It’s a myth that wearing high heels or pointy shoes that crowd toes actually cause bunions. However if you were born with any tendency toward mechanical imbalances, these types of shoes push the foot’s bones into unnatural shapes, aggravating the condition and causing symptoms to appear earlier in life.