Foot Facts

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Foot Facts

Foot Facts

Tune in each month for Phil's series of articles discussing the common biomechanical problems resulting from every one of the 5,000 - 8,000 steps taken in an average day.

Footwear for Active Lifestyles

Over the years in my podiatry practice, I’ve treated thousands of athletes, both professional and amateur. Athletes and those who are frequently active often experience lower limb, knee and heel pain during and after exercise. Orthaheel’s built-in orthotic technology helps control over pronation, a common problem in athletes leading to instability, pain, and even injury. Our products are perfect for the casual walker, professional triathlete and everything in between.

We developed our Kiwi and Kinetic sandal styles specifically with the active individual in mind. The quick-dry sports mesh lining offers added comfort for after sport therapy or outdoor activities. The Orthaheel Walker Shoe was also designed to keep you moving with maximum comfort and support. The contoured orthotic foot bed helps to realign your feet and posture so that you can achieve your fitness goals. Our new Active Orthotics can be placed in your fitness shoe of choice for increased support and comfort.

Though they were designed to enhance your active lifestyle, you'll want to wear your Orthaheel shoes and orthotics for more than your exercise routine.

In comfort,
--Phil Vasyli

Travel in Comfort this Summer

In my practice I’ve heard countless stories from patients whose foot pain threatens to keep them off their feet. Summer is a particularly difficult time of year, with the kids out of school and everyone looking forward to long-awaited vacations to the beach, theme park or other destination. Yet foot pain can bring an early end to a memorable holiday

My suggestion: With all the walking you’ll likely do, it’s important to focus on your footwear choice before packing your bags. In the heat of summer, Orthaheel provides a great solution with stylish, supportive flip-flops and sandals that will keep you in comfort all-day long. Our built-in orthotic technology will provide the stability you need to ensure you are free from foot pain on your travels.

Many of our summer styles received the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance and were recently featured in a Yahoo! News article as “the right kind of flip-flops to wear this summer.” In the same article, Dr. Jacqueline Sutera of the APMA reminds readers of the article that “not all flip-flops are created equal.” I couldn’t agree more.

Don’t let foot pain slow you down on your summer travels. Think before you pack your shoes and visit Orthaheel for a great selection of men’s and women’s sandals.

In comfort,
--Phil Vasyli

Toning shoes: Are they good for you?

Recently I’ve been asked about what seems to be the latest fad for feet: Toning or rocker-bottom shoes that promise to “trim” and “burn” while you walk.

Truth be told, these shoes are not for everyone and the reason is quite simple. Shoes that promote “instability” for the purpose of “firing muscular activity” actually work against proper biomechanical function. In other words, muscles and other areas are challenged to perform tasks for which they weren’t designed. This can over-work and cause stress to the muscles, feet and legs.

Considering that the majority of people pronate (feet roll inward) and are therefore predisposed to some form of biomechanical dysfunction, the instability-based concept is even more troubling. Particularly for people with existing biomechanical problems, this type of footwear can lead to greater pain and/or injury.

My suggestion for burning calories and trimming inches? Wear properly fitting footwear that maximizes your body’s biomechanical efficiency. If your feet are comfortable, well supported and pain-free, they will enable you to walk greater distances more frequently. This is the real key to tightening and toning.

Our clinically-proven Orthaheel Tri-planar Motion Control technology helps re-align the feet, providing relief from many common lower limb aches and pains. Orthaheel sandals and walking shoes offer built-in orthotic support, and our ¾- and full-length orthotics can fit your favorite footwear. See what our customers say about how Orthaheel has helped them walk away from pain and get on with living.

-- Phil Vasyli

Your Own Style Secret

Through the years of my practice I have learned that the summer time is the most difficult season for people with foot and lower leg pain.

When the weather warms up everyone wants to celebrate by donning their warm-weather sandals. Those who wear orthotics know the challenge (custom orthotics don’t fit most sandals) and many are forced to go without, treading through the summer in enclosed shoes.

Since introducing the first built-in orthotic flip flop sandal in Australia over 10 years ago, many people have found they can have their sandals and comfort, too. I’ve heard so many customers say, “At last I can have stylish shoes that don’t look ‘orthopedic’!”

Thanks to your encouragement and requests for ‘more’, our spring 2010 sandal collection is our largest one yet! Visit a nearby store or check back during the season to see the latest styles for men and women.

-- Phil Vasyli

Après-sport Sandals are Perfect For Post-Workout Pain Relief

In my Australian podiatry practice I treated many amateur and professional athletes. A common complaint was not only how to relieve lower limb pain during exercise and competition, but how to ease the transition after their activity.

For these patients I recommended that they step right in to après-sport footwear that provides flexible support and stability. At the time there were few suitable products, which is largely what inspired the design of the original Orthaheel flip flop sandals with built-in orthotic support. These sandals quickly became the flip flop of choice for athletes such as Olympic triathlete Loretta Harrop and the Australian Football league players (in fact, Orthaheel is the only flip flop these athletes are permitted by the league to wear post-training!). We’ve continued to expand our range of orthotic sandals, including this season’s newest Kiwi and Kinetic styles which recently earned the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Approval. And our popular Walker shoes – also approved by the APMA - are now available in half-sizes.

In the words of one of our customers, “Orthaheel helps you get where you want to go on your own two feet.” I hope we can continue to help you, too, move without pain.

-- Phil Vasyli

Don't let summer's most popular footwear take the spring out of your step!

Choosing a foot-friendly sandal for summer can be a 'flop' unless you know the facts.

Recently there have been several articles in prestigious publications ranging from the New York Times to the American Podiatric Medical Association, bringing attention to a growing problem with summer's hottest products, the flip-flop.

When the weather heats up many of us slip on our flip-flops and head to the beach, barbeques and other outdoors activities. Usually, these fun times are brought down by flip-flop related problems including sore feet, ankles and legs. Meanwhile, many orthotic-wearers find themselves without warmweather options.

Our Orthaheel flip-flops are a convenient, pain-free 'natural healing' solution. Orthaheel products are designed with our innovative orthotic technology which is clinically proven to reduce excess pronation and help relieve associated pain. Pronation is a contributing factor to 'flat feet' and many of the common aches and pains associated with poor lower limb alignment caused by regular flip-flops.

It is with great pleasure we inform you that the following Orthaheel products are now approved by and carry the APMA* Seal of Acceptance: Tide sandals, Ryder sandals , Wave sandals ,Walker athletic shoe and the ¾ - length Regular, Full-length Workforce, Full-length Sport and Slimfit Casual orthotics. Evaluated by a committee of podiatrists, these products are shown to allow for normal foot function and promote quality health."

-- Phil Vasyli

When your heads hurts, could it be your feet?

Correct foot function is essential to the way we walk, our overall posture and anatomical alignment of the knees, hips, spine, neck and head. Clinical studies have shown that changing the position of the feet can even affect alignment in our jaw!

Faulty foot function (including excess pronation - or rolling inwards of the feet) can have a profound effect on our daily lives. You don't have to be an athlete to suffer from the effects of poor foot function. In today's modern society, every step we take on a hard flat unforgiving surface causes our feet to compensate un-naturally."

-- Phil Vasyli

Australian Podiatrist Phil Vasyli

Phil Vasyli introduces his "Nature versus Civilization theory," explaining how the hours we spend each day walking or standing on unnatural, hard surfaces has resulted in the loss of our natural footprint.. Vasyli has helped millions worldwide "reclaim" their original footprint with the Orthaheel brand of footwear, sandals and orthotics.

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