Crossfit Superstar Opens Up About Injury and Recovery. Talayna Fortunato has been an athlete since she could walk.  Gymnastics since the age of four, a scholarship to Southern Utah University  and then a stint on the track and field team in her final year, Talayna is no stranger to hard work and dedication.  Upon graduating from PT school and landing her first job, Talayna began a new adventure, adding Crossfit […]

Why Ironman Lake Placid?  Why Ironman? Well, if they used to call me “Dr. Ironman” for the time I’ve spent treating at the Ironman World Championships (Kona), I guess I’ve earned the title a bit more after Ironman Lake Placid. More than a few people have asked me why I chose Ironman Lake Placid as my first full Ironman Triathlon. And, it’s true that Lake Placid is one of the more […]

Looking for a great family-oriented activity? Try Flavor Run Sponsored by Vital Wellness Center! Vital Wellness Center in Fort Pierce supports the health of our community!  What better way to get out and get healthy than this year’s Flavor Run Sponsored by Vital Wellness Center?  We believe that when families make it a priority to stay active together, we will all be healthier.  That’s why Vital Wellness Center is happy […]

Vital Wellness Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Kurt Barnhill has joined our practice! With his experience as an elite Triathlete and Marathon runner, Dr. Kurt Barnhill understands the needs of his patients.  Already Dr. Barnhill is attracting athletes from The Treasure Coast, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and Vero for problems such as Sciatica, IT Band Syndrome, Plantar Fasciitis, Low Back Pain and many other tough conditions. […]

These days, sport seasons are long and triathlon season is no exception.  In order to reach your “A” race in top shape you’ve got to stay injury free.  That means nothing major or minor to slow you down, no time off for the flu and no over-exhaustion.  What can we do to keep ourselves healthy and injury free all season long?  Besides having a realistic training plan that is customized […]

What do you do at Vital Wellness Center? Vital Wellness Center provides treatment for musculoskeletal complaints such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, IT Band pain among many other conditions. Our treatment is based upon a careful exam including x-rays (if necessary), and a complete biomechanical evaluation. Treatment consists of spinal and extremity (shoulders, knees, ankles, etc.) manipulation and adjustments, soft […]

Mark Swart and Debra Daley are one amazing couple! For the second year in a row the two Treasure Coast triathletes are on their way to Las Vegas for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. Vital Wellness Center, Stuart and Fort Pierce, Florida are very proud and honored to be a part of their training and preparation. With Functional Movement Systems and Active Release Techniques we are able to do our […]

On Friday, August 9, 2013 Dr. Daniel Rukeyser of Vital Wellness Center.  Was featured on WPBF Morning News.  Dr. Rukeyser’s “in studio” interview covered basic strategies that residents of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties can use to naturally improve their immune system.  He covered some common, healthy foods that are proven to improve immunity against waterborne illnesses.  And, with the worsening conditions of the St. Lucie River these […]

When Jay told me that he was feeling so much better after a few treatments at Vital Wellness Center at our offices in Stuart and Fort Pierce I was very happy.  But when he said he felt so good he was going to run an Ultramarathon (100 miles) just two weeks before attempting to qualify for The Boston Marathon, even I thought he was pushing it! “Just wanted to give a big […]

Can Active Release help patients avoid knee replacement? As many of my readers know, most of our patients come to us because of a referral from a friend or family.  So when I asked a patient who was trying to avoid knee replacement this week how she heard about us I wasn’t surprised to hear that someone had referred her.  I was surprised when she said it was Dr. Bruce […]