Ouch! What a pain in the foot. April is National Foot Health Awareness Month so we’ve teamed up with our in-house expert, Dr. Jacqueline Sutera a surgically trained doctor of podiatric medicine specializing in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology, to learn more about the top 5 foot problems. Here are her recommended remedies to help relieve the pain, swelling and other symptoms that can be experienced. Plantar Fasciitis/ Heel Pain Plantar fasciitis is a dull to severe pain in your heel caused by a strain and inflammation of your plantar fascia (foot tissue). This can be caused by excessive pronation or standing/walking on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Stretch the calves - an easy, simple way to...

If you’ve ever gone to a gym the first few weeks of January, you know the scene: jam-packed exercise classes and every piece of equipment in use with bright-eyed, highly motivated gym-goers wearing their brand-new workout clothes they got for Christmas. But come February, the gym returns to its pre-New Year’s state of the loyal faithful who have made working out a top priority in their life for the long-term; not just as a short-term resolution. Hey, we’ve all been there! And that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set resolutions. They’re a great way to recalibrate your brain and decide what you want to focus on for the upcoming year. So, go ahead and set those resolutions, but make sure to...

The holiday season is nearly upon us. For many people, it can be a time of elevated stress from the near-constant parade of parties, holiday shopping, family get-togethers, and travel. We’re also more likely to dump our healthy good intentions when it comes to food choices and exercising (who can resist that extra slice of pumpkin pie!). That’s why it’s so important to put extra focus on both your physical and mental health now instead of waiting to start your New Year’s resolutions on January 1st. Luckily, fitness expert, celebrity trainer and Vionic Innovation Lab member Juliet Kaska is here to offer a few helpful tips to get you through the holidays feeling your best. 1. Take YOU Time Tis the season...

We've heard about the importance of proper workout footwear from medical professionals, magazines, friends, family, and so many other sources. We get it! Running requires specially formulated running shoes, while cross-trainers are more appropriate for the gym or a fitness class. But what happens to our feet after exercise? As it turns out, there are some steps we should all be taking to ensure that our feet remain in tip top shape after a workout. We asked podiatrist Dr. Jackie Sutera of the Vionic Innovation Lab for some insight into post-workout foot recovery, and she gave us some simple (yet indispensable) tips. Address these post-workout foot issues: Blisters: Pad, bandage and avoid the blister until it heals. If you must, clean a...

Flats versus heels: there’s no question as to which is better for your feet. Or is there? A common myth is that flats are better for your feet than heels, and universally more comfortable. But the truth is, without proper arch support, flats can be just as harmful as high heels. The most common injury that can occur from wearing thin flats is heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis. In fact, NYC-based podiatrist and Vionic Innovation Lab expert Dr. Jackie Sutera advises those suffering from plantar fasciitis to “avoid ‘bad shoes,’” citing “thin ballerina flats” as one of the culprits. In addition to heel pain, Dr. Sutera explains, “There is a fat pad under the forefoot that starts to atrophy...

The upcoming Summer Games in Rio offer a chance to see unparalleled displays of physical fitness and aptitude, captivating millions of viewers all over the world. But between the extensive training and the strenuous nature of the Games, even the most talented athletes suffer strains and injuries. We spoke with Doctor of Physical Therapy and Vionic Innovation Lab expert Brian Hoke about the physical toll that this intensive training and competition can take on an athlete's body. Did you know that one in ten athletes will suffer an injury in the Games this year? Listen in to find out about the most common foot and ankle-related injuries that athletes suffer, and why these issues are so prevalent. We may not...

June is Men's Health Month, so we enlisted the help of Brian Hoke, a member of the Vionic Innovation Lab and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). He's worked with everyone from recreational runners to world-class athletes. Having treated a diverse array of patients, we asked him to shed some insight on some of the unique problems that men face regarding their foot health.   What kinds of differences do you see facing men and women when it comes to foot health? Brian Hoke, DPT: Many problems for women are in the forefoot: bunions, metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, etc. For men, many problems center upon the heel, and the areas surrounding it. What are some common issues that men contend with?...