Page 18 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Simple Ways to Soothe Bunion Pain Dear Savvy Senior, I’m a 62-year-old woman and have had a bunion on my big toe for years, but lately it’s become more painful and is making it hard to find comfortable shoes. I’d like to avoid surgery if possible. What can I do to ease the discomfort and keep it from getting worse? --Sore Toe Susan Dear Susan, You’re not alone. Bunions are very common, especially among women, and they often become more painful with age as the joint shifts out of alignment and inflammation sets in. What may have started as a minor nuisance can turn into ongoing discomfort, making it difficult to find shoes that fit comfortably. A bunion, known medically as hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe when the joint moves out of place, causing the toe to angle inward. Over time, this pushes the joint outward, creating the noticeable bump. Why it happens While tight or narrow shoes can make bunions worse, they’re usually not the root cause. Genetics plays a major role, which is why bunions often run in families. Other factors like flat feet, arthritis, and past foot injuries can also contribute. Women tend to be more prone to them, partly due to years of wearing high heels or shoes with narrow toe boxes. The good news is that most bunions can be managed without surgery, especially if your goal is to ease symptoms and slow their progression. Simple relief The first place to start is with your shoes. Switching to footwear with a wide toe box, soft materials, and good arch support can make a big difference, while high heels and tight shoes that crowd your toes should be avoided. It can also help to shop later in the day, when your feet are slightly swollen, for a more realistic fit. Beyond footwear, a few simple steps can help ease the pressure. Padding the area with over-thecounter bunion cushions can reduce friction, and if the joint becomes sore or swollen, icing it for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day may bring relief. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can also help, if your doctor says they are appropriate for you. To further reduce strain, orthotic inserts, either store-bought or custom, can improve how your foot distributes weight. Toe spacers can also help by keeping the toes in a more natural position, while a night splint, such as Dr. Scholl’s Bunion Relief & Toe Corrector (about $20), can gently guide the big toe into better alignment while you sleep. It may also help to rotate your shoes rather than wearing the same pair every day, reducing repeated pressure. In addition, gentle exercises, such as stretching your toes, picking up small objects, or rolling your foot over a tennis ball, can help maintain flexibility. It is important to keep expectations realistic. These steps will not eliminate a bunion, but they can make it more manageable. When to get help If your bunion pain interferes with daily activities, or if you are developing corns, calluses or ongoing inflammation, it is wise to see a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist. They can evaluate the severity and recommend additional treatments. Also seek care if you notice redness, warmth or significant swelling, which could signal irritation or infection around the joint. Surgery is typically advised only when conservative measures no longer provide relief. Today’s procedures are more advanced than in the past and are often done on an outpatient basis, though recovery can up to six months and bunions can sometimes recur. In the meantime, taking steps to protect your feet can go a long way. With the right care, many people are able to manage bunions effectively and stay comfortable, active and on their feet. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 18, 2026 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 “Marge” (Giguere) Freker. To the Frek family, I am very, very sorry for your loss. She raised some seriously awesome children! ● In the book of life is brief department... Ferryway Green’s Harvey Nadler still has a very, very long road to recovery ahead of him. Truth be told, his spirits are down. Time permitting, please pop in on him at Elmhurst in Melrose. Even a short visit would do wonders for his peace of mind. Thank you. ● No Malden connection but happy 81st day of birth (Sept. 26) to Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music fame (“What’s her name, Virginia Plain?!”). Just as a FYI and to keep my hipster bona fides current, I saw Ferry perform at Great Woods on Saturday, August 6, 1988, and sat in Row U, seat 3. Touring on “Bête Noire,” his version of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy,” had me emotionally drained all through the San Rocco Feast the week after. My best girl that night (it was actually the night we called it a day BHRC | FROM PAGE 13 islature to restore basic financial dignity to our most vulnerable residents.” You can follow the podcast at https://tinyurl.com/Project7280 and by streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work but that is a story for another day) didn’t know Ferry from a hole in the wall but was hooked at “Slave to Love” and rocked her Jordache jeans right on past the closer, “Do the Strand”! We made it back to Malden in time for last call at Caiazzo’s Playoff Pub at 192 Pearl St., whose liquor license extended until 4 in the morning if memory serves me correctly. Insert smiley face. Who else was there (at Great Woods, NOT Cai’s!)? As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — in the “doesn’t it get tiresome being sensational department,” I bring to you... John Finn, veteran school crossing guard. Known primarily for serving the Malden community and local students near Malden High School, John has also been honored and highlighted in local media and community tributes alongside educators and administrators, such as former MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo. Speaking of Chris, how many others out there think he got a raw deal!? If you and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of Sept. 7-11, the House met for a total of 17 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 22 minutes Mon. Sept. 7 No House session. No Senate session. run into his father on your travels do NOT mention Malden to him (you have been forewarned LOL). John is the quintessential example of what giving back to the community is all about (please forgive this digression; unlike some elected officials who seek to divide the community instead of unifying it). Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of early morning stays crossing guards (like John) from the swift completion of their appointed rounds (borrowed line). His steady hand and ready smile have been the face of the Square for many years and has comforted many a “deer in the headlights” freshmen as they attempt to navigate one of Malden’s most treacherous crossroads: the Malden Bermuda Triangle aka Ferry, Main and Salem. Keep up the great work, my friend! —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol. com for comments, compliments or criticisms. Tues.Sept. 8 House 11:00a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate11:15a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Wed. Sept. 9 No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. Sept. 10 House 11:00a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate11:11a.m. to 11:23 a.m. Fri. Sept. 11 No House session. No Senate session. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. Copyright © 2026 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.
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