The fusion between dynamic movement and grounded stability is how Vionic’s exclusive VIO MOTION™ technology provides whole body balance.
We are Vionic – the creator of wearable wellbeing for your feet.
The brand was established in 1979, when we started revolutionising medical orthotics – our founder being a globally-renowned podiatrist. His ground-breaking clinical research led to the launch of the first over-the-counter orthotic to support safer movement and inspire overall wellbeing, in 1991.
Today, Vionic harnesses its medical foundation in biomechanics to engineer solution-driven footwear that also delivers on style, with every pair powered by its exclusive Vio Motion technology.
Vionic benefits from the expertise of some of the finest minds in health and lower limb biomechanics. This collaboration, the VIONIC Innovation Lab, brings together world-renowned health and fitness experts who share a common vision of enhancing foot health and promoting a more vibrant, active lifestyle.
Fundamental to this is body balance, which provides stability for daily activities and reduces the likelihood of pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Whole body balance is important because it improves posture and core strength, enhances daily performance and movement efficiency, positively impacts cognitive function and brain health, and prevents injuries and falls.
Foot or joint pain, caused from wearing the wrong shoes, should not hold you back from your next adventure or daily life. Vionic’s Vio-Motion technology shoes offer high level arch support, cushioning and shock absorption, making them ideal for those with food issues, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet or high arches.
What Is Vio-Motion Support? | Vionic UK Technology Guide
Discover the science behind Vionic’s Vio-Motion support system—designed to promote balance, stability and comfort:
How we look at it is that science exists to solve problems – to enhance our lives in ways we did not even know we needed. Putting on a pair of Vionic shoes is a ritual – part of your commitment to your performance, your wellbeing and your self.
In every pair, cushioning provides shock-absorption to minimise impact with the ground. Deep heel cups optimise foot position, while full-contact arch supports reduce pressure.
Vionic shoes support natural alignment
Approximately 1 in 10 people in the UK will suffer from heel pain at some point in their lives, with the condition often caused by plantar heel pain, where the plantar fascia (a band of tissue on the sole of your foot) becomes inflamed and irritated. A peer-reviewed study revealed that Vionic contoured sandals effectively alleviate heel pain.
A trial period of 12 weeks (targeting 150 heel-pain sufferers age 50+) showed that patients wearing Vionic contoured sandals were 68% more likely to report improvement in symptoms compared to those wearing flat flip flops. Results also showed that the contoured sandal provided similar relief to best-selling Vionic orthotic insoles in alleviating heel pain.
How heel pain develops
If your foot pronates too much, the ankle rolls too far downward and inward with each step. This can cause the arch to collapse and muscles and supporting structures to over-stretch and lengthen. The ligaments running from the heel to the toes become strained, often leading to inflammation along the bottom of the foot. This inflammation and heel pain is known as plantar fasciitis. In response, the bone may also develop a bony growth (heel spur), right in the center of the heel. This too causes heel pain and can prevent an individual from walking with ease.
Causes of foot heel pain
Injury, disease and excess weight are among the possible culprits, but it’s probable that your heel pain has developed from poor biomechanics. Over-pronation can become even more excessive when you wear unsupportive shoes and walk on hard, unnatural surfaces.
How to find relief: five healthy tips for preventing or reducing plantar fasciitis:
1. Break the cycle, with supportive footwear
Wearing orthotics is an easy, effective method of naturally realigning the foot. Worn consistently throughout the day, orthotic support is a great first step in the short‑term treatment of plantar fasciitis. Choose footwear that stays secure on your foot and make sure it provides extra cushioning and heel support.
2. Stretch regularly
Keeping your calf muscles limber helps to reduce the strain on the plantar fascia. To stretch your calves and 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.
3. Preserve your arches with exercise
While seated and barefoot, try this exercise to alleviate high arch, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis pain: squeeze your foot as if you have a small marble under the ball of your foot, hold and release. This stretches and helps strengthen the muscles that run under metatarsals (the longest bones in the foot which create its arched shape), enhancing overall stability and comfort.
4. Slowing increase physical activity
If you’re a runner, a tried and true method of preventing over‑use injuries is to only increase your mileage by 10% weekly, max. If you’re new to a walking programme, the same caution should be exercised. Choose the best shoes with plush cushioning, like a supportive active shoe, a comfortable trainer or our specifically-designed plantar fasciitis shoes that offer a balanced drop and ample toe box room.
5. Ice and rest
After mild stretching, use a frozen water bottle to roll under the arch of your foot for 10-20 minutes or apply a cold pack to the bottom of your heel. It may be possible to make an active recovery by wearing Vio Motion technology to keep your feet naturally aligned, therefore reducing strain on the plantar fascia, while moving throughout your day. Choosing shoes made from high-quality materials with excellent sole construction can help your feet feel supported and energised as you heal.
You can see the full range of Vionic trainers, walking shoes, boots, flats, loafers, heels and slippers here.
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