Buying MBT Shoes
MBTs - MBT shoes – Masai Barefoot Technology – rocker-soled shoes – the ‘anti-shoe’. I was a full time MLD therapist, qualified in both Vodder and Leduc methods, and constantly on the lookout for tools to help my patients have more control over their chronic lymphatic and venous insufficiencies.
In 2002 MBT shoes arrived in the UK and an article in the Sunday Times introducing MBTs as an aid to help with running, shin splints and sciatica caught my eye. I met the MD of MBT-UK, bought them, cured not only my shin splints and sciatica but was able to come out of permanent class 2 compression tights for varicose veins. Hurrah!! I was one of three on the first MBT training course in the UK and 2 years later, having nagged all my patients into wearing them and listened to their success stories, I opened the first MBT shop in the UK. Ten-Point. We encourage an active healthy lifestyle by finding the keys to better gait, correct body alignment, smoother joint articulation, optimized peripheral circulations and less stress on the human frame generally. We use as many tools as we can find, that following testing, work. MBT shoes were the beginning of a continuing adventure.
Many people still haven’t come across them, but of those that have, opinions fall firmly into two camps, evoking heated debate. Some would say like Marmite. Love them or hate them.
If they love them, they have understood, been fitted correctly and have been shown how to use their body correctly – giving them control. The MBTs are just the conductor, guiding and enabling. The MBTs are not the instrument – that’s you! You need to be shown how to play your instrument well – walking and running may be natural activities, but only when unshod – try running across a grassy park with and without shoes – the experiences will be completely different because instinctively you move differently when your feet are unprotected. As in, you protect yourself from the feet up!
If opinion is negative, it may not even be their first-hand experience, but the stand of someone they know or have read about. If I tell you that recently one of our customers told us that her son was fitting MBT shoes in a well-known major store, solo, on work experience, it just about says it all. Like all technology, you need to learn about it, understand it a little, and discover how to use it to its greatest advantage – after all, you’re paying for it to help you! And for that you need expertise – which of course, we have in abundance! And you need to be present for us to be able to perfect your fit, customise if necessary and help you properly. On-line MBT shoe sales are therefore impossible!
We look forward to meeting you in person!
