MBT shoes

FAQS

Can I buy MBTs online, through mail order or over the telephone?

Here at MBT, we want to ensure that you are fitted correctly in order to get the full benefits from the technology in the sole. We therefore do not sell our product online, but instead ensure that our retailers are trained on a regular basis to provide an individual fitting service for you and show you how to stand and walk best in MBTs.


What sizes do MBTs come in?

MBTs start from a size 35 to 41 2/3 (European) in the women’s range and 41 to 47 (European) in the men’s range. MBT sizing is different therefore your size will vary depending on the style. Please visit your nearest MBT stockist for further advice.


Is there a functional difference between the multiple MBT styles?

The technology of the MBT is in the sole, and that remains the same in every style. The uppers vary to accommodate different style needs and preferences, allowing MBTs to be worn morning, noon, and night.


What is the difference between MBT's classic and dual board (aka lower) soles?

The new Dual Board (lower) sole provides the wearer with the same benefits as the classic one – the only difference between the two sole constructions lies in the feeling for the wearer. While still curved, the Dual Board construction reduces the heights of the sole by approximately 8mm, offering a new slender look and additional style choice to customers.


Are children allowed to wear MBT?

The size range of MBT defines the target group. (Size 35 2/3 -47). Each age group can benefit from the technology of physiological footwear.


Can I wear MBTs every day?

The more you wear your MBTs, the more your body will feel the benefits. Try to wear your MBTs as regularly and as often as possible.


Can I do the following in MBTs: squash, badminton, tennis and football?

MBTs replicate walking on an uneven surface; imagine playing squash, etc. on uneven ground. Therefore, it’s not suitable to wear MBTs for these specific sports or for agility sports, in general. MBTs can be used when exercising with free-weights, step and aerobics. These activities should only be taken up once you are use to walking correctly in MBTs and have reached a good fitness level (approximately 12 weeks).


Can I use MBTs in the gym?

MBTs should be used solely as a walking shoe for the first 8 to 12 weeks (depending upon your fitness level). Once you have gotten used to this then you can start to expand your use into other areas such as training in the gym on the treadmill, stationary bike or eliptical walker. MBTs are not a stability shoe so should not be used for agility activities such as aerobics or fast running.


Can I run and jog in MBTs?

Yes, MBTs are perfect for jogging, as demonstrated in the video/DVD. MBTs are suitable for training but not for competitions. Always make sure that you are comfortable walking in them first, beginning with the recommended time. MBT Academy recommends that you wear your MBTs for 12 weeks before you begin to use them for sport.


Are MBTs good for standing all day?

MBTs are absolutely great for typically healthy people who stand all day. They are designed to decrease pressure to the skeletal system. A regular shoe’s impact enters directly through your heel, traveling into your joints and skeletal system. In comparison, MBTs transfer the shock behind the heel and body. We suggest rocking back and forth in your MBTs while you stand.
This activity increases circulation, reduces shock to the body, and helps you to stand for longer periods of time — without discomfort and pain.


I am pregnant; can I wear MBTs?

MBTs have great benefits before and after pregnancy. If you have been wearing MBTs prior to the pregnancy then you can continue to do so as the body will have adapted to the changes. If you have not worn MBTs before then we recommend that you wait until after the birth. This is because the body is experiencing significant changes during pregnancy so it is important to keep these to a minimum.
Do not continue to wear MBTs during pregnancy if there is any discomfort associated with wearing them. As the pregnancy progresses, swelling in the feet can occur which can affect the fit of the MBTs leading to undue pressure on the structures of the feet.
MBTs may be indicated for use during pregnancy as part of treatment of back pain related to the pregnancy and for ante-natal fitness purposes. If you are under the supervision of a medically qualified women’s health specialist such as a physiotherapist or midwife and are pregnant and wish to start wearing MBTs during pregnancy then consult with your specialist as to whether MBTs would be suitable.


Do MBT shoes help with medical conditions?

MBT is a medical device class 1 in the EU and several health insurance companies reimburse the cost of MBT. The concept is backed up by the leading sport medical and biomechanical institutes in the world and leading medical specialists recommend the application for muscular skeletal problems such as:
Back, hip, leg and foot problems; and Joint, muscle ligament and tendon injuries.
If MBT is used as secondary therapy for existing basic health conditions its application must be supervised by a medically trained specialist.


Are MBTs good for back problems?

Yes, they were designed specifically for the treatment of back pain, rehabilitation and for the prevention of injury. Over 70% of people in developed countries will experience low back pain at sometime in their lives. It is most common between the ages of 35-55 years. Pain is non-specific in 85% of people.
MBTs will help to improve posture and muscle activity of the leg and core muscles and therefore, help to take strain off the back.


Why do I get backaches after wearing MBTs?

An individual walking in MBTs automatically attains a more upright posture rather than a forward leaning gait. This leads to an increased activation of the lumbo-sacral musculature due to the alteration of trunk angle relative to the pelvis when wearing MBTs. When muscles start to work harder they can be painful. This should normally resolve within a few days.
Do not try to work through the pain however. Use your MBTs within your comfort level and build up the amount of time you wear them as your comfort allows.


Will MBTs cure my sciatica?

Sciatica, or pain that radiates down the back of the leg, is a symptom of a problem usually stemming from the low back, therefore it is considered as a back problem.
Symptoms, pathology and radiological appearances are poorly correlated. Acute low back pain is usually self-limiting and the majority of people will have recovered within 6-12 weeks. Activity speeds symptomatic recovery, reduces chronic disability and leads to less time off work than rest. MBTs also affect the angle of the trunk relative to the pelvis; this places the lower back to load optimally through the pelvis and hips, rather than the forward lean individuals have with conventional footwear.
MBTs also affect the lumbo-sacral musculature, which also helps to strengthen the lower back and aid recovery. MBTs should be seen as a tool that may help to resolve the pain associated with the condition of sciatica. If back or leg pain persists, then an individual should see their doctor to rule out more serious conditions such as infection, tumor, fracture, inflammation, osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis.
In certain cases, MBTs should not be worn with this condition. That includes when the sciatica is very acute or irritable and easily set off by any activity. If this is the case then it is best to wait until the symptoms of sciatica settle down before using MBTs.


Are MBTs helpful for foot pain?

MBTs reduce the pressure in the heel and mid-foot and therefore will be helpful for problems such as heel spur, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and arthritis. MBTs also reduce the joint forces in the ankle thus taking strain off the foot-ankle complex.


Can I wear them if I have flat feet?

Yes, MBTs activate the muscles in your feet therefore help rebuild fallen arches. It is very important that the MBT are used correctly to achieve this.


Are MBTs helpful for plantar fasciitis?

MBTs can be helpful for plantar fasciitis as they reduce the pressure in the arches of the feet where the plantar fascia lies. You will need to gradually practice standing and walking in MBTs, and over time they will help to gently stretch the plantar fascia whilst protecting it and strengthening the muscles which support it. In some cases it may be neccessary to wear orthotics (insoles) in your MBTs - particularly if you are used to wearing orthotics already. If unsure, check with the person that prescribed them for you.


I have anterior knee pain. Can I wear MBTs?

MBTs will reduce loading through the knee. We also know that walking in MBTs benefits the muscles acting around the knee. In particular, MBTs cause a stretch of the hamstring muscles and also specifically cause activation of the quadriceps. These features assist the management of anterior knee pain. It is always advisable to contact a medically trained MBT specialist (doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath, podiatrist or chiropractor) for a definitive diagnosis.


My MBTs are dirty. What can I do?

The sole construction and Masai Sensor of MBTs should not be exposed to aggressive liquids (acids or disinfectants), salt, oil, manure, blood, protein, grease, fertilisers or mud. If they are exposed to these substances they must be cleaned as soon as possible.
To wash MBTs thoroughly inside and out, use a soft brush (old tooth brush/nail brush) and clear mild liquid hand soap with water up to 30°c. Remember to dry them upside down so that the water drains away from the sole
It is best to clean your soiled MBTs immediately so that dirt does not become ingrained


Can I just put them in the washing machine?

No. Due to the complex nature of the technology in the Masai Sensor, MBTs will disintegrate if put in the washing machine, and they cannot be repaired.
Contraindications

• Morton’s Neuroma (symptoms can be aggravated due to increased blood flow and muscle activity in feet)
• Irritable Sciatica (symptoms of sciatica which are set off easily by activity)
• Skin Ulcerations
• Peripheral Neuropathy with loss of sensation
• Third Trimestre Pregnancy: do not start wearing MBTs in the third trimestre of pregnancy
• Abnormal Pregnancy (including twins)
• Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal or spaces (foramina) where nerves exit)
• History of unexplained falls
• Surgery - wait 12 weeks.



What are the care instructions?

The soft parts of the sole are sensitive to aggressive liquids containing salt, oil, manure, blood, etc. Wash and dry your MBTs as soon as possible if they become muddy and dirty. Incorrect care or use can cause the Masai Sensor to deteriorate and the layers to separate. The leather styles should be polished prior to wearing them and the suede/nubuck styles should be protected with a spray prior to the first wear to help prevent wear and tear.
The life span of a pair of MBTs is dependant on how well they are looked after as they are made of a complex and sensitive material. However, if cared for as per the care instructions, your MBTs can last many years.


Can MBTs help me to lose weight?

Wearing MBTs activates the stretch reflex, thereby helping tone the postural muscles, increasing circulation. Wearing MBTs during aerobic exercise will help you burn more calories, thus helping you to lose weight.