Causes of hallux valgus and how to cure it by yourself. What measures can I take at home?

Don't give up. You can heal your big toe at home by yourself. Keiro Yuasa, a leading expert in toe research who has examined more than 60,000 people's toes in total,Method boasts over 80% pain improvement rateto the public.

It takes a certain amount of effort to restore the angle of the big toe. However, as long as you do not neglect your efforts, there is a possibility that your toes can be straightened, just like the people in the photo below. There are countless people, including myself, who have been cured of pain and deformity of the big toe.

Shoes for big toe are not necessary. Insoles for big toe are not necessary. Taping is not necessary. You don't need surgery. To be clear, none of those things will help.All that is needed is the correct knowledge and skills about the big toe.

The causes and remedies for hallux valgus are quite different from what is commonly believed. In the world of Western medicine, there are no cases of cured big toe. Surgery improves the angle of the big toe. However, even if surgery is performed, the bunion often recurs within a year. It is futile.

I have been doing research for 19 years, pursuing only rehabilitation that produces results. I think it is still too early to give up. Please have hope and courage and try your best every day to do what I am going to describe. I am sure that your body will respond.

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Case of a person whose big toe was healed

My big toe pain is gone, even after wearing pumps for years!

After getting my big toe healed, I can play golf again, which has been a hobby of mine!

Eliminated foot and back pain that made it difficult to walk! The big toe and O-legs are also improved!

Eliminated foot and back pain that made it difficult to walk! The big toe and O-legs are also improved!

Practiced Hironoba Exercise! My big toe deformity is healed and my husband's feet are less tired!

After I healed my big toe, before I knew it, I was nimbly going down the stairs.

Scientific Effects of Corrective Socks on Hallux Valgus Pain

Effects of Physical Therapy on Hallux Valgus Pain

Scientific Effects of Corrective Socks on Hallux Valgus Deformity

1. changes to the toes

YOSHIRO SOCKS prevents deformities of the thumb and little toe, which are caused by muscle weakness in the foot, by enabling efficient use of the foot muscles. 90% of Japanese people have floating toes. The structure allows the toes to grip the ground firmly, which improves the ability to fluff unconsciously and at the same time brings the center of gravity closer to the center.

Hallux valgus angle

The big toe angle at the start is19.1°, with a maximum of
The big toe angle after 8 weeks is12.3°

The average value at the 8th week was 6.8° improvement of the big toe angle compared to the beginning. The action of improving the metatarsophalangeal angle was confirmed.

3 Difference between the mean before the start and at the 8th week
*Graphs show average values in clinical trials.
*Results may vary from person to person and are not guaranteed to be 100%.

What is a big toe?

Hallux valgus (big toe) is a painful condition in which the base of the thumb bends outward with a twisting motion. Those with hallux valgus are often diagnosed when the angle of the big toe becomes more than 20° and they complain of pain.

Hallux valgus is the most frequent foot disorder, occurring as early as 3 years of age.The history of bunions is still young, and treatment began in Europe, the leading foot and shoe country, in the late 18th century. There are many methods of treatment, but surgery alone has been used for more than 100.

In Japan, this problem began to occur among women around 1965, when high-heeled shoes became fashionable, but nowadays it is not limited to women but is also increasing among young men. In recent years, it has been pointed out that the problem is not only a matter of gender, constitution, or heredity, but also a matter of lifestyle, making accurate understanding of the pathophysiology and physical therapy evaluation of hallux valgus important.

Causes of big toe pain

Muscle problems, not bone problems

Pain at the base of the thumb is almost always caused by loose shoelacesIt is caused by "foot slippage in the shoe."

When the toes slip in shoes, toe deformities called "floating toes" and "crouching toes" occur. In addition, toe functions such as "goo, choki, and per" become impaired, and the toes cannot stay straight in the shoe.

When this happens, forward sliding and lateral blurring occurs in the shoe, but the function to control it is lost, so the base of the thumb rubs and becomes red, and muscle inflammation occurs.

If you have thumb pain, you may think about buying a new pair of shoes with a wider width there, but that may actually have the opposite effect. It is not the shoe's fault, because it was painless a short time ago.The first priority is to improve the function and deformity of the toes by working on the shoes you are currently wearing.

If the three arches are normal, no problem.

So what exactly causes a bent thumb bone? The human foot consists of a total of 28 bones in one leg.These bones are connected by strong ligaments and muscles that keep them in shape even under weight.

In a healthy human foot, these bones are stacked in an arch shape, so that the arch of the foot is raised off the ground when standing. The three arches of the foot act like the three legs of a camera to help us stand balanced in any position.

This is mainly due to the retention of muscle strength in the dorsal interosseous muscles to keep the metatarsal bones straight, and only then can tension be exerted between the bones to form the correct arch.

However, when the strength of the dorsal interosseous muscles is reduced due to dysfunction of the toe musculature, the tension of the muscles that pull the metatarsals together is reduced, and the weight of the foot causes them to spread laterally, resulting in a collapse of the lateral arches and open feet.

Loss of muscle strength is the cause of hallux valgus

In a healthy human foot, these bones are stacked in an arch shape, so that the arch of the foot is raised off the ground when standing. The three arches of the foot act like the three legs of a camera to help us stand balanced in any position.

This is mainly to keep the bones called metatarsals straight.Only when the strength of the dorsal interosseous muscles is maintained can tension be exerted between the bones to form a correct arch.

Muscle weakness is caused by toe deformity

howeverDorsal interosseous muscle weakness due to dysfunction of toe musculature (inability to do goo, choki, and per) or toe deformity (floating or bent toes)This causes the muscles that pull the metatarsals together to lose tension and spread laterally under the weight of the foot, resulting in a collapse of the lateral arches and an open foot.

If the muscles used to open the thumb outward, called the abductor pollicis brevis, are strong enough to hold the bone at the base of the thumb straight, the big toe is less likely to develop, but in most cases the muscle strength is reduced due to toe dysfunction or toe deformity.

When the width of the foot widens laterally due to hallux valgus, the adductor pollicis muscle, which extends from the base of the little toe to the base of the thumb, is stretched, and the stretched muscle tries to bend the thumb toward the little toe as it tries to return to its original position. This is the real cause of hallux valgus.

This mechanism was published in the Journal of Physical Therapy in February 2014.Since the publication of the feature article I wrote, "Functional Anatomy and Physiotherapy of Hallux Valgus," it has received a great response at the Society of Shoe Medicine and Foot Surgery,Now this mechanism is spreading across the country as a new cause in medicineThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

Toe dysfunction that causes progression of hallux valgus

par

If the space between the toes is so wide that the index finger of your hand can fit between the toes, you have passed the test. There is no problem if you can line up straight across and keep it that way for at least 30 seconds.

rock (in rock-paper-scissors game)

Can you do enough goo to make a cobble like the fingers of your hand? If you can bend firmly from the third joint, you have passed the test.

scissors (in rock paper scissors game)

If the space between the toes is so wide that the index finger of your hand can fit between the toes, you have passed the test. There is no problem if you can line up straight across and keep it that way for at least 30 seconds.

Other toe deformities that exacerbate hallux valgus

floating thumb

Take a picture of your foot with your phone from directly in front of you. If the thumb nail is difficult to see, you have a "floating toe".

Other floating fingers

Take a picture of your foot from the side with your phone. If your toes are off the ground, you have "floating toes".

mirror finger

If you look at the foot from the front and the nail is facing downward, it is a "clawed finger".

Let's try Hironoba Exercise, a stretching method to cure big toe!

What kind of gymnastics is Hironoba Gymnastics?

Hironoba Exercise" is a biomechanical stretching of the toes, based on podiatry, invented and developed by Keiro Yuasa in 2008, in which the toes are spread (=hiro) and stretched (=noba). By stretching the toes, the balance of the foot and body improves, and bad symptoms disappear. If your goal is to maintain good health or prevent illness, you can do it once a day for as little as 5 minutes with your right and left feet together. It is surprisingly easy to do, so let's start by watching the video and practicing! Once you know how to do the exercises, you can easily do them before bed, in the bath, while watching TV, or anytime. First of all, try to do it for 2 weeks.

STEP 1 Sit on a chair or on the floor and place one leg on the thigh.

Tilt knees down as far as possible
...to prevent the ankle from turning upward.
Place feet properly on the thighs

The back of the foot should be turned in firmly.
The ankle should come out slightly from the thigh.

STEP2-1 Place the fingers of your hand between your toes.

...Put the tip of one toe in the base of each finger.
Allow clearance at the base of the toes.

I feel like only the tips of my toes ride on the base of my hands.
...and toes snugly against the base of the hand.

STEP2-2 Don't put too many fingers of your hand between your toes.

 OK

Ideally, the toes should not protrude from the fingers.

 gaffe

...If you put your fingers in to the base of the toes, you will not be able to bend them properly.

STEP3 Gently grasp the hand with the toes in it.

 OK

Grip the hand gently so that it is slightly above the base of the toes.
Press the thumb of the foot lightly with the thumb of the hand.

 gaffe

It is difficult to warp when the fingers of the hand are inserted all the way to the base of the foot.

STEP4 Turn your toes toward the instep.

Gently and slowly warp
Press your toes with the base of your hand.
Ideally, the toe joints should be at 90 degrees.
(Do not overdo it if you are stiff)
Once warped, hold for at least 5 seconds.
(If stiff, hold for 30 seconds)

Gently and slowly
Warp the back with the image of stretching the instep.
Press the sole of the foot lightly with the whole palm of your hand.
Once warped, hold for at least 5 seconds.
(Hold for 30 seconds if stiff)

STEP5 Repeat STEP4

After repeating STEP 4, turn the opposite leg in the same manner. It is OK if you can do both legs for at least 5 minutes; if you are stiff, it is more effective to do one leg for 10 minutes.

If it is difficult to do it yourself, have someone else do it for you.

Hironoba Gymnastics Application

Hironoba Exercise Method Booklet

Five-finger socks for orthopedic use YOSHIRO SOCKS

Introducing YOSHIRO SOCKS, five-toed socks for correction, developed based on podiatric medicine to maximize the effects of Hironoba Exercise.

Use with YOSHIRO SOCKS for even easier toe spreading!

YOSHIRO SOCKS have a shape-memory structure that constantly reproduces the ideal foot shape, and by wearing YOSHIRO SOCKS, the same effects as those of HIRONOBA gymnastics can always be obtained. For those with severe toe deformities or those who want quicker results, we recommend using YOSHIRO SOCKS in combination with HIRONOBA TAITO.

Corrective support socks to improve toe deformity

State-of-the-art fibers. State-of-the-art construction.

The 19 years of knowledge and experience in foot education that I have accumulated as a physical therapist specializing in toes have been condensed into these 5-toed socks. Simply by wearing the socks, the toes are expanded and stretched, and the body is restored to its natural posture and athletic ability. This is the only reason we developed YOSHIRO SOCKS.

Toes spread naturally just by wearing socks
Shape memory structure that approaches the ideal foot shape

Slip, the biggest cause of toe deformity.
Adoption of special fibers that reduce to the extreme

Physical therapist with a proven track record specializing in toe
Five-finger socks with revolutionary foot education developed by Keiro Yuasa

From thread production to sewing and inspection
Made in Japan with the utmost care

The goal was to,
Human's original straight toes

Shape-memory structure that firmly grounds the floating toe "floating toe

Thumb deformity (big toe) angle
bare feet
19.1 °
YOSHIRO SOCKS
12.3°
Deformation of little toe (Hallux valgus) angle
bare feet
25.1 °
YOSHIRO SOCKS
5.3°
Number of toe adhesions (evaluation of floating toes)
bare feet
5.6 pcs.
YOSHIRO SOCKS
8.1 bottles

Thus, YOSHIRO SOCKS are made using a special manufacturing method (patent pending) that naturally widens closed toes and straightens bent toes and floating toes just by wearing them.

Shape of YOSHIRO SOCKS

YOSHIRO SOCKS have a special manufacturing method (patent pending) that naturally spreads the toes into an ideal shape, and a shape-memory structure that keeps them in that state.

General 5-finger sock shape

Conventional five-toed socks are woven in a straight line from the top of the foot to the tip of the toes, so they have no corrective power and do not bring the foot closer to the ideal foot.

Special non-slip fibers prevent toe deformities.

The biggest cause of flexion toes (kagayubi), is foot slippage. When the foot slips in the shoe, the toes bend down to apply the brakes. YOSHIRO SOCKS prevent bent toes by weaving in highly slip-resistant fibers.

Made in Japan with the utmost care and attention to detail, one pair at a time.

They are produced at a factory in Japan on a seamless machine called a WHOLEGARMENT® machine (SHIMA SEIKI), and each pair takes a whopping 20 minutes to sew (about 5 times longer than on a standard sock knitting machine). From finishing to packaging, inspection, and shipping, we are committed to making our products in Japan.

yoshiro socks

YOSHIRO SOCKS

Price: 3,850 yen (tax included)

Color: white and gray

Size: 3 sizes (S, M, L)

Video on how to put on socks

How to choose shoes

Basically, if you do not wear shoes, you will not walk badly. Barefoot, however, improves the big toe faster because the correct way to walk is unconscious, but in modern society, we are a shoe-wearing culture, so here is how to choose lace-up shoes to improve the big toe.

Does the toe move functionally in the shoe?

Shoes play a major role in toe deformity, and in the case of YOSHIRO STUDIO, the criteria for shoe selection areCan the toes move functionally in the shoe?"The first is If the toes continue to be tight and cannot move, the muscular strength of the entire foot will deteriorate. This can cause open toes, bunions, flat feet, and a variety of systemic symptoms.

Ideally, the shoes should be able to create a barefoot condition. However, if the shoes are too tight, the toes will bend as they try to hold on to the foot that is sliding around in the shoe. Here are some tips for selecting shoes that protect the feet from the ground while at the same time not interfering with the function of the toes.

Five or more doves

Shoelaces have the role of taping the shoe and foot together. The more dovetails (holes through which the laces are threaded), the more difficult it is for the foot to slip inside the shoe, creating an environment that prevents flexing of the toes.The foot is more stable when secured with a flat string that is supported by a surface rather than a round string that is supported by a point.

one's heels are stiff

The heel of a shoe (heel counter) has the same function as the back of a chair. If you drive a car without a backrest, your body will tire quickly. Similarly, if the heel counter is firm enough not to be crushed when pushed by hand, the heel bone of the foot is supported in the shoe, thus stabilizing the foot in the shoe. There will be less lateral blurring and the toes will be less likely to bend.

torsion-free

When walking, a load of two to three times your body weight is placed on your shoes.Soft shoes are like putting your foot on konnyaku. We recommend shoes with a strong core called a "shank" on the bottom that prevents the shoe from twisting.

Toes not protruding from insoles

Take out the insoles and place them on your feet. If your fingers stick out, you are in a tight fit in the shoe, the same condition as if you were wearing high heels.

Shoe size is based on foot length + 1 cm

For the toes to move freely in the shoes,At least 1 cm of excess (discarded) fingertip is required.Measure the length of the left and right foot while standing, and choose shoes that fit the longer foot. If there is an excess of about the width of your index finger between the tip of your toes and the tip of the insole, you are good to go. Note that toe care will increase or decrease the length of the foot, so it is recommended to re-measure every six months.

Regular shoe replacement.

The heel is basically the life of the shoe, so no matter how good the shoe is, if the heel is stepped on or the sole is worn out, it is the life of the shoe. The condition of the shoe expresses the condition of the body, so too much deterioration can put a great burden on the body as well. If the heel of the shoe cannot be repaired,We recommend replacing them every six months to a year.However, even if the correct shoes are selected, if they are worn improperly, the desired effect will not be achieved.

Shoes recommended by Keiro Yuasa

walking shoes

Harmek (Japanese brand of haloperidol)
Simple Soft Sneakers

For the purpose of correcting feetThese original shoes were jointly developed by Keiro Yuasa and Halmek in pursuit of shoes that surpass the NB1400 and 990 series as The difference from shoes on the market is that they are not just easy-to-wear shoes. The patented YOSHIRO INSOLE is also a standard cosmetic feature. It is as if you are walking on clouds.

In the summer of 2023, Keiro Yuasa reviewed all design and materials, and was involved in all aspects of manufacturing.Flagship YOSHIRO MODEL is now available!I will do so.

Pumps for work

Fit Partner

The Fit Partner, developed by BMZ for cabin attendants as a pump that can be run in, is characterized by less fatigue even after long hours of standing or walking long distances.

Fit Partner website

business shoes

SPH4501WSR

Tsukiboshi is proud to offer Japan's finest handmade business shoes. If the heel is repaired repeatedly, one pair can be used for 10 years, and you will not get tired at all even if you walk for a long time.

Moonstar website

Keiro Yuasa's Favorite Shoes

walking shoes

New Balance 990

The M1400 and M2040 are no match for this shoe. This is the pinnacle of men's shoes.

NB990 website

pumps

LOUIS VUITTON

LOUIS VUITTON is well known, but what is less known is that its pumps are made with a wooden pattern for Asian customers. No other heels are so easy to wear once the toes are strengthened.

LOUIS VUITTON website

business shoes

TANINO CRISCI

TANINO CRISCI, a well-known name among those in the know, had a great fit in both pumps and boots. Unfortunately, they were discontinued in 2011 and are no longer available.

How to Thread Shoe Laces

There are two main types of shoelaces: round laces and flat laces. Round laces press down on the instep at a point, while flat laces press down on the instep at a surface, so flat laces are more stable when tightened. There are two types of material: synthetic fiber and pure cotton. While synthetic fibers are stretchy, they have less strength to hold the instep in place. Pure cotton, which does not stretch easily, maintains its holding power and is more durable. Therefore, I use special pure cotton.

Shoelaces are like ligaments that connect bones to bones. When shoelaces are stretched, they fail to hold the foot firmly in the shoe, causing the foot to slip and the toes to become deformed. Therefore,For people with bunions, we recommend replacing shoelaces before they stretch (every 1-3 months).

Tighten the laces in a standing position.

There are many ways to tie a knot, but in this article, we will introduce the "overlap method" for walking. In this method, the knot is threaded from the front side to the back side of the shoe laces. The last knot near the ankle is tied from the back side to the front side. Tie the knot, taking care to make the left and right sides as even as possible. Ideally, have someone tie the knot while you are standing (or sitting if you are weight-bearing), but if you are alone, just make sure to tie the last knot securely.

How to make insoles

Pig skin prevents slipping in shoes

Synthetic fibers and high-grade, good-looking, slippery leather are unsuitable for insoles.Once you take out the insoles from your own shoes. Put on your socks and try to slide your feet on the insoles. If it is slippery enough to slide on the floor barefoot, there is no problem, but in most cases, you will find that it slips on smoothly. In the case of pigskin, which is considered to be the closest to human skin, the skin has a grain called a grain, which creates moderate friction and makes it particularly difficult to slip. Slippery feet can cause deformities of the toes, which can lead to open toes and bunions,Preventing slippage is important for improving the big toe.Of course, the shape of the insole itself is also important to support the sole. However, it is even better if you pay attention to the surface material of the insole.

How to make pigskin insoles

This video explains how to customize insoles with pigskin. We hope you find it helpful.

Regular replacement.

If you continue to use the pigskin, the surface will also become slippery and your feet will gradually slide on it. If possible, try to replace the pigskin once every six months. There are two sides of pigskin, the suede side and the suede side, but basically either side can be used. The suede side is raised and has a very high non-slip effect, but it is more difficult to put on when putting on shoes, so we recommend using the suede side as the surface if the shoe opening is wide.

one's walk

Walking without heel landing on the straw uses the toes. On the other hand, a big toe heel landing does not use the toes. Therefore, leg distortion tends to increase. If the outer soles of your shoes are worn down, you should expect this tendency. If your work requires you to walk in this manner, try walking with a small step at the end of the day as if you were brushing your teeth.

To develop the habit of walking with a small step, try walking backward first. Once you have a feeling that your stride naturally becomes smaller and you can kick the floor with your toes, try walking forward with the same stride and speed.That is the secret to making your body learn to walk with a small gait.

Can you describe the feeling as if you were wearing a kimono and walking with your knees below your knees? Or try walking around the house so that you don't hear the flooring. You should naturally walk in a small stride, using the entire sole of your foot. If you continue this way of walking for five minutes every day, you will naturally build up the muscles in your feet and improve your walking balance. You will have a healthy and graceful gait.

Use the entire sole of the foot with a small crotch.

The human body can use the correct muscles of the whole body (use muscles equally in front, back, left, and right) by walking with the toes, but shoes, socks, and the way we walk make it difficult for us to perform this function. Some of you may have suffered from knee or back problems due to walking, but that is because you have been walking with your toes bent. We hope that you will realize that walking with your toes spread apart will improve the distortion of your body through walking.

Aim for 8,000 steps.

I have treated a total of 60,000 patients, and the borderline number of steps to cure bunions is 6,000 steps per day. 8,000 steps is a relatively fast improvement. Please try to take as many steps as possible in your daily life. Please consider that the number of steps taken indoors does not translate to the number of steps taken indoors, as the toes are used in a different way.

Keiro Yuasa
Doctor of Toe (Physical Therapist)
Leading expert in toe research. Physical therapist. Director of the Toe Research Institute. President of the Japanese Society of Functional Toe Therapy. Developer of Hironoba Gymnastics, YOSHIRO SOCKS, YOSHIRO INSOLE, and Halmek shoes. Conducted research at the University of Tokyo and International University of Health and Welfare. Former director, vice president, medical director, and head of the day-care rehabilitation center at General Hospital. Author of numerous books. He has appeared on "Gaia no Yoake (Dawn of Gaia)," "NHK Gatten," "NHK BS New Common Sense of Beauty and Youth," "NHK Sakidori," and many other TV programs, and has written many books, including "Grab Your Toes in Just 5 Minutes and Your Hips and Back Will Never Swing Again! (PHP Publishing Co., Ltd.) and many others.

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