Oops, forgot the link:

http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/.....TEM_ID=707

Ball and Ring Shoe Stretcher

This easy to use bunion stretcher allows you to stretch the specific part of your shoe causing pain rather than stretching the entire shoe. This device can stretch problem areas without stretching the entire footbox.

Here's another bunion sufferer. Or not as much 'sufferer' since I stopped wearing heels at all.. I mean they didn't 'go away', just stopped bothering me, I live in flat gladiator sandals (the kind with lots of straps, I find them actually pretty supportive, I splurged and got a pair of AGL flats from ebay (cheaper than retail but their sizing is weird, and I tried them at Nordies first) after trying countless ones that didn't work (all the comfort brand ones were pinching the bunions and digging into my feet), Still, I sized up, put an insert in them and it took quite a few wears for them to become truly comfortable. But they're very soft and elastic band is just enough to keep them put but not tight.
But as the others have said, the true relief is just footwear with plenty of support.. meaning boots, oxford, booties and such. I can't wait till the fall and winter to wear my (flat) boots!

With help of PT I figured out that my bunion (left foot only) is caused by a leg length difference. My left leg is slightly longer than my right leg, which means I put more weight on that foot (in flats OR heels), which causes the bunion to form over time (and also that foot is wider).

Initially the PT thought it was a congenital issue, so recommended I wear an insert in my shoe, to even out the leg length difference. After a few months wearing nothing but flats that could accommodate the insert, the bunion completely disappeared.

I stopped wearing the insert because I missed stylish shoes. Over time, the bunion came right back.

Then I got into yoga. And discovered that regular yoga ALSO makes the bunion magically disappear.

Penny dropped... it's not a congenital issue at all. The leg length difference is caused by habitually crossing my left leg over my right all the time, which stretches out the muscles from hip on down, and makes that leg a little longer.

Another strategy that helps immensely is wearing Vibram five finger shoes, just around
the house. It spreads your toes back into place, after being forced together if you wear heels a lot.

Hope that helps.

My bunions appeared just few years ago and it's been a pain to find shoes that don't hurt seriously...I mean of course, I can wear boots or sneakers but it's not really appropriate for parties and clubbing! Randomly, I found out about French brand who sells elegant heels for women like us. It's a bit expensive but I had enough to wear heels that made my feet bleeding. Honestly, I don't regret it, I bought the model Chantilly as I love bows. The brand is called Caroline Macaron and you can have a look here: http://www.carolinemacaron.com. Hope this helps

Hi! It's Kirsten from BarkingDogShoes.com. I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I understand how bunions can really put a damper on your shoe choices. However, each season I find more and more shoe companies that are making stylish yet foot-friendly shoes to accommodate bunions: vamps that don't cross the sensitive area, soft leathers, rounded toes/roomier toe boxes and adjustable straps across the forefoot. See my most recent post with eight fashionable options for feet with bunions:
http://www.barkingdogshoes.com.....d-sty.html
Best wishes,
Kirsten

Bunions on both feet, left worse than right. My doc, who is a runner too, said I could go for surgery, but I would loose big toe range of motion, and might not be able to run again after. My toes don't cross, but the bunions are pronounced. If I wear good shoes, they don't hurt. I took a pass on the surgery.

My mom had bunion surgery, but experienced other problems after, and had to have further surgery.

I swear by Asics for my running shoes, and Mizuno is good too. Merrell for gear ( hiking boots and sandals). I can almost tell by looking at a shoe if it will be good or bad for my 50+ year old feet. I've found stylish shoes of all heights that work...Naturalizer, Clark's, Soft, Frye, Steve Madden, Franco Sarto, and some other designers. I try on a lot of shoes, but they will not come home unless they are comfortable in the store. I refuse to 'break' shoes in.

My SIL who started ballroom dancing with her husband about 5 years ago, wears dancers shoes when she wants height. She says they are supper comfortable.

I get pedicures, and massage, and I do lots of self care with my feet, and it goes a long way to keeping them as healthy and as pretty as possible.

I'm so glad to have found this thread! I was beginning to feel like the only suffering fashion lover.

I never wore heels a ton and instead opted for flats and walk a lot. After having a lot of heel and toe pain I visited a podiatrist who told me I had bunions and plantar fasciitis along with flat feet and some other minor issues. He sent me to Beck's Shoes and I've worn Dansko almost exclusively from then on. They are beginning to be more stylish but are still a pretty specific style. I've found Dansko to be the most reliable brand for my problems. They are difficult to get used to because they are high and heavy and I (along with some people I know) have done a bit of tripping/rolling ankles in them.

I've also found Orthaheel to be great. Most of their styles are not great but their flip flops and house slippers offer great support. I recently got the Accomplish Post Strap sandal (from Orthaheel by Dr. Weil) and it is great. I am constantly getting compliments on them.

I branched out a bit recently and got the Born Aronica flats because one reviewer mentioned she had bunions and they fit well bunion-wise but I noticed the support wasn't great and had a tiny bit of heel pain.

I'm not sure how helpful all of this is since if you only have bunions you may have less trouble finding a good shoe. I noticed a lot of people suggested boots (which I used to love to wear when I wasn't wearing flats) and oxfords (another former live fave) but I found I could not longer wear either of these. While they are more shoe, I found most styles to be narrow in the toe box and too type covering-wise, but I haven't tried a shoe stretcher, which I really want to do.