Philip Vasyli
Sitting for long periods as well as touring on foot can aggravate the feet, knees and more. Travelers should take preventative measures to help ensure foot health throughout their summer adventures.
San Rafael, CA (PRWEB) June 10, 2014
With summer upon us, Vionic founder and podiatrist Phillip Vasyli shares his best advice for minimizing foot pain—especially while traveling. He recommends making efforts to protect against foot pain from the moment you board your flight.
“While many are looking forward to vacationing this season, there are stressors associated with travel and sightseeing,” says Vasyli. “Sitting for long periods as well as touring on foot can aggravate the feet, knees and more. Travelers should take preventative measures to help ensure foot health throughout their summer adventures.”
Travel
- Wear breathable, adjustable shoes while flying. Feet tend to swell at high altitudes, especially during prolonged periods of immobility. Loosen your shoes to alleviate this discomfort.
- Functional and supportive sandals are a best bet for travel, as they are made for walking as well as minimizing swelling.
Sightseeing
- On an average day, people take 8,000 to 10,000 steps, straining calf muscles and straining joints. Because of this, a traveler may incur minor injuries like blisters and calluses, or even more painful ones like shin splints and plantar fasciitis.
- While it’s tempting to simply throw on a pair of flip-flops during the summer months, a supportive sandal or shoe is a must for those who plan on doing a fair amount of walking. Those with a history of foot and leg pain are especially at risk.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day. If you’re planning a strenuous day of walking or hiking, drinking water will help keep lactic acid from building up in muscles and causing discomfort.
Exercises to Help Travelers Go the Distance:
- To stretch your Achilles Tendon, stand on the edge of a step, resting your weight on the balls of your feet. Bend your knees for 25 seconds and then straighten. Perform up to five repetitions whenever tightening occurs.
- While seated and barefoot, squeeze your foot as if you have a small marble under the ball of your foot. This stretches and helps strengthen the muscles that run under metatarsals (the longest bones in the foot which create its arched shape).
Pain Prevention
- The best way to minimize foot pain is to guard against it from the beginning of your trip. “When traveling and putting so much mileage on my feet, prevention is key. I never ever walk barefoot,” says Melette Cabot, an avid traveler and contributor to Vionic’s #Solestory campaign. “The first step out of bed is into the support of a pair of supportive slip-ons. The memory of the debilitating pain is still fresh.”
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Vionic footwear merges unparalleled biomedical technology with versatile, modern design fit for every occasion. Developed by Phillip Vasyli, renowned Australian podiatrist and founder of Orthaheel Technology, Vionic shoes help restore natural foot function and relieve foot pain due to misalignment, promoting a more active lifestyle. Vionic’s footwear and orthotic inserts are also endorsed by noted doctor of integrative medicine, Andrew Weil. With premium materials, artful construction and streamlined silhouettes, Vionic’s men’s and women’s collections provide standout style with exceptional comfort and functionality.
The Vionic footwear collection is available at select quality retailers across North America, including Nordstrom.com, Dillards, Belk and Zappos, and at our website, VionicShoes.com.
For samples or additional information about Vionic with Orthaheel Technology, please contact amy(at)bigpicpr(dot)com.
