What is the difference between a bunion and hallux valgus?

A bunion is the visible bump at the base of your big toe, while hallux valgus is the underlying misalignment that causes it.

What is Hallux Valgus?

Hallux Valgus, commonly known as a bunion, is a foot condition where the big toe angles toward the second toe, causing a bony bump to form on the side of the foot. It can lead to pain, inflammation, and difficulty wearing shoes comfortably. Over time, the deformity can worsen if left untreated.

Hallux Valgus Treatment: Relieve Bunion Pain and Move Better

Q: How do you fix hallux valgus?

Conservative care like orthotics, strengthening, and manual therapy can relieve pain and improve toe alignment without surgery.

Q: Can bunions cause burning?

Yes, inflammation and nerve irritation around the bunion can cause a burning sensation, often worsened by tight shoes.

Q: What is the cause of hallux valgus?

Hallux valgus develops from genetic factors, poor footwear, and muscle imbalances that shift the big toe’s alignment over time.

If you’ve noticed a painful bump forming near your big toe that makes walking or wearing shoes uncomfortable, you may be dealing with hallux valgus — commonly called a bunion. This condition isn’t just cosmetic; it can affect your balance, posture, and how your entire lower body moves.

At Cole Pain Therapy Group in Memphis, we help patients across Bartlett, Lakeland, and Arlington, TN find long-term relief from bunion pain through gentle, evidence-based care that improves foot alignment, joint function, and movement confidence — often without surgery.

What’s the Difference Between a Bunion and Hallux Valgus?

While the words bunion and hallux valgus are often used interchangeably, they’re slightly different:

Hallux valgus describes the actual deviation of the big toe toward the smaller toes and the inward tilt of the first metatarsal bone.
The bunion is the visible bump that forms as a result of that misalignment and inflammation.

In other words, hallux valgus is the cause, and the bunion is the result. Left untreated, this misalignment can affect how you walk and even cause pain in the arch, knee, or hip.

How Do You Fix Hallux Valgus?

Many cases of hallux valgus can be managed effectively through non-surgical care. At our Memphis chiropractic clinic, we focus on restoring movement, reducing strain, and improving posture from the ground up.

Common treatment options include:

Footwear modification – Switching to wide-toe shoes to reduce bunion pressure.
Orthotics and splints – Custom orthoses improve alignment and relieve joint stress.
Targeted strengthening – Exercises for the gluteus medius, calves, and foot stabilizers to correct movement patterns.
Manual therapy – Gentle joint mobilization and soft-tissue work to restore flexibility.
Therapeutic taping – Supports the arch and alignment during walking.

Our team blends chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, and guided rehabilitation exercises to help your foot move naturally and reduce discomfort.

Can Bunions Cause Burning?

Yes. That “burning” feeling near a bunion is often caused by nerve irritation or pressure from swelling and tight shoes. When inflammation compresses the small sensory nerves in the inner foot, it can cause sharp, tingling, or burning pain.

Relief strategies include:

Gentle manual therapy and icing
Supportive footwear with a wider toe box
Orthotic inserts to redistribute pressure
Addressing posture and gait mechanics

If the burning continues, your chiropractor can check whether nerve involvement (neuritis) is contributing to the pain.

What Is the Cause of Hallux Valgus?

Hallux valgus often develops gradually, influenced by a mix of genetic, structural, and lifestyle factors, including:

Flat feet or ligament laxity
Tight or high-heeled shoes
Weak foot stabilizers and muscle imbalance
Arthritis or age-related joint wear
Poor walking mechanics or overpronation

Correcting these factors early — through strengthening, alignment, and posture correction — can prevent the bunion from worsening.

Bunion pain doesn’t have to limit your mobility. With the right care, you can walk, stand, and move comfortably again.

At Cole Pain Therapy Group, we’re dedicated to helping patients across Memphis, Bartlett, Arlington, and Lakeland find relief through personalized, non-surgical treatments. We’ll design a plan to restore joint alignment, strengthen your foot, and keep you active without pain.

Schedule your bunion evaluation today at Cole Pain Therapy Group in Memphis — and take the first step toward comfortable, confident movement.

NEW PATIENTS

Step 1

Call today to schedule your convenient appointment.

Step 2

Pre-register your important health information on your phone or computer to save time.

Step 3

Meet your new doctor for a customized plan and start moving toward your goal!

Discover how we may help!

We are the Memphis area’s top-rated chiropractic group, providing you with gentle chiropractic care, dry needle therapy, exercise therapy, and therapeutic massage.

2845 Summer Oaks Dr, Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 377-2340

Life Shouldn't Hurt!

You Deserve To Feel Great. We Can Help!
Your go-to Chiropractor in Memphis, TN

Richard L. Cole, DC, DACNB, DAIPM, FIACN, FICC
Jeffrey D. Luebbe, DC, CCRD, CCSP
W. Steven Vollmer, DC, DAAPM
Bradford J. Cole, DC, MS, CSCS
J. Colby Poston, DC
Daniel H. Smith, DC
2845 Summer Oaks Dr., Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 377-2340

Monday – Friday:
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday :
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Walk-ins are Welcome!