“I was in pain, I was hunched over and I could hardly walk at all – ten minutes walking felt like ten miles and I could not keep up with my 83-year old mother,” she says. “My daughter Michelle had seen all the articles on MBTs and suggested that I give them a try. As soon as I tried walking in them, I felt as though someone had placed a stick between my shoulders and pulled it – suddenly I was walking upright once again. It was sheer magic.”

“The worst infection began with a small cut that ultimately resulted in septicaemia,” says Brian, “I was hospitalised and nearly lost my life. But there was very little I could do to avoid the problem happening. I love playing golf and it seemed that every time I played a round, the wound would open up again. I felt the benefits straight away and within two months the wound on my toe had healed properly for the first time ever. Today you’ll only ever see me wearing MB Ts – except on the golf course!”

I am Kathleen Binder, an 82 year old lady. I was diagnosed 6 months ago with achilles tendon problems and could only walk with great difficulty. Being fitted with MBT sandals made an unbelievable difference - I never thought it would be possible to relieve the pain so quickly. I also had an added plus - for the past 8 years, I have had a circulation problem. My fingers would turn blue in cold weather. This winter the problem disappeared; unbelievable, but true!

I would like to say how happy I am with my MBTs. My first purchase was a pair of sandals and I was delighted to have a product that actually lives up to its advertising. I had suffered with lower back pain for some years and got tremendous relief when wearing MBTs. They have also helped with my posture and this has led to an increase in my physical activity - it's now an enjoyable experience and no longer a "chore". I also bought a pair of shoes and am delighted to see the extended range now available and look forward to my next pair of "stylish" sandals. A number of my friends are now "converted" and I have no hesitation in recommending MBTs. A Happy Customer Avril O' Rourke

My name is Elizabeth Foley and I want to share with you my experience with my MBT shoes. I have been wearing them now for the past 4 years and I have 4 pairs. I cannot get over the difference they have made to me. Four years ago I was involved in a road accident and had bad leg injuries. I always loved walking so after the accident I found this very difficult and I thought I would have to give it up. I bought my first pair of MBTs at my local pharmacy in Kilmallock. At first I thought they might be too heavy for me but after a week I never looked back. To be quite honest the difference they have made to my leg and back is amazing. I work for Unislim and I always recommend these shoes to the ladies in my classes. I tell them that MBTs will change the way you think about going for a walk because I know from experience they have worked for me. Research shows that wearing MBTs can reduce stress on knee and hip joints by around 20%- well they have done this and more. I will always have a bad leg but thakfully - and I do mean thankfully - I can get around a lot more so for that I have to say Thank you all. Kind Regards Liz Foley

Being a former dancer and having spent many years renovating my cottage, slating, blockwork etc, my knees were in a really bad way. It got to the point that if I had to kneel down I could not get back up wothout holding onto furniture, or whatever, and pulling myself up. I went on to use glucosamine which helped with the pain but I still could not straighten my legs when relaxing properly. My friend who had her MBTs for about a year got them because of a bad back Now I have never been into "fads" but on her recommendation I bought my first pair and within a week I could straighten my legs in bed. After a couple of weeks I had my original flexibility and I could get up from a kneeling position - yay! We went for a long weekend to New York to see the sights and walked everywhere. Up and down stairs of the subway(my particular bug bear steps) and no problems. I now have 4 pairs in different colours to co - ordinate with different outfits. I cannot rate them high enough. Excellent!

Thank you for your assistance at the Ideal Homes Exhibition yesterday. I am delighted with my new MBT shoes. Allow me to give you a brief history of the problems I have encountered with my feet. I am now 58 years old and for most of my adult life I have suffered pain in one or both of my feet. Sometimes the dymptoms were of gout, although no doctor or hospital could confirm that I suffered from gout. My uric acid level was always normal. Other times both my feet became swollen and I was unable to walk. Doctors could never explain the problem. On one occasion I was admitted to Tallaght Hospital where I was told I had a stress fracture and had my right leg encased in plaster of Paris. The stress fracture notion was discounted by a consultant at the hospital three weeks later, although with the aid of bone scans he could not explain the cause of the problem. Following tests at the Beaumont Hospital for Post Polio Syndrome, it was confirmed that I did not suffer from this. (I suffered from a mild form of polio when I was six years old). Such were my problems until October, 2005. At the Ideal Homes exhibition in October, 2005, I was introduced to MBT footwear. They have transformed my life. From the first time I wore the shoes I have not had a minute of discomfort in my feet. I wear them every day and they are still as good as new. Since purchasing them the only outlay I have had was for shoe laces. In May 2007 I purchased a pair of MBT Sandals which provide me with the same standard of comfort as the shoes. As you know I have today purchased another pair of shoes only because I wanted a different colour. When I have to wear other types of shoes on more formal occasions I am reminded by my feet the following day that I had not been wearing my MBTs. Now I bore my family and friends to death talking about my MBTs. They have truly transformed my life. Regards, Hugh Walsh

MBTs were developed as a medical device and are certified as Class 1 Medical Equipment in the EU. Wearing MBTs encourages an active gait, activating your muscle stretch reflexes and provides an increased work-out for the normal muscles used when walking - icluding those in the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, calves and feet. These are the correct muscles to tone in order to improve posture and help take the strain off the lower back and joints. Each person's gait is different, but is almost invariably improved by MBTs. Research shows that wearing MBTs can reduce stress on knee and hip joints by around 20%, and increase muscle activity in the lower limbs and thigh muscles by a similar amount. Your buttock muscles enjoy a 9% increase in activity during walking. Even when standing still, the curved sole means your muscles are constantly rebalancing the body so muscle activity in your legs is almost 40% greater when standing than with conventional shoes. This makes them ideal for people in sedentary jobs, helping to provide an extra workout - even when they are just standing still. While many people wear MBTs for their general health benefits, many osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons recommend them to treat specific health problems, including lower back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, muscular imbalances and postural disorders. MBTs can also help patients in rehabilitation after back, knee and foot injuries, and following surgery to improve coordination, circulation and strength. Dr Sarah Brewer MA MB BChir graduated from Cambridge University as a doctor in 1983. She is a fully trained GP who has worked as a Clinical Assistant in Orthopaedics. Although her first love is medecine, her major passion is writing. She has regular columns in a variety of publications, including Prima, Love It!, Natural Health & Beauty and Junior Pregnancy. She writes widely on all aspects of health, including complementary medecine and the safe use of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements. She has writted over 40 popular health books and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Nutritional Medecine.

Dear Sir/Madam, I bought a pair of MBT shoes from you a number of months ago and I am writing to you to express my satisfaction with your product. I am working on a trade counter which means I am on my feet all day, everyday. With regular footwear my heels would actually be paining me at the end of every day. Then I remembered about your MBT shop and decided I would pay a visit. I can still remember the weird sensations I felt when I took my first steps in MBTs around the shop! The shoes forced me to walk more upright with my lower back tucked further in under my body. It felt strange but I also remember thinking that it feels good and I was sold there and then! Another big plus was getting the weight off my long-suffering heels! With MBTs the pressure on the feet is more evenly distributed across the arch of the foot. Great relief for anyone who spends all day on their feet. I also had a few back problems prior to wearing MBTs which have now disappeared! These are amazing shoes that have benefited me enormously. Obviously a lot of research has gone into developing the final product but the concept is so simple and it's one of those 'Why didn't I think of that?' inventions. My best wishes to you and I hope business is good. Please feel free to publish this letter along with my name if it will help increase sales. Yours sincerely, Liam Kiernan

Here is my MBT story: I bought the sandals 2 years ago after anterior cruciate ligament replacement surgery. I quickly discovered re-hab was much improved by wearing the shoes, and could walk the mile loop around my neighborhood quickly and pain free. I wore them everywhere. Then winter came, I recovered, they drifted to the back of my closet and were forgotten since I was pain free. Six months ago I developed chronic achilles tendonitis from running in deep sand. I put off going to the Doctor because I didn't want him to tell me to stop exercising, which I admit, I am addicted to. After the Doctors appointment, I was sent to six weeks of physical therapy, which included painful soft tissue massage and exercises to strengthen the ankle area. Just as I began to feel progress, the pain would flare back up and I would hobble around all day. Finally, I was cleaning my closet when a light bulb flicked on in my brain at the site of my old friends, MBTs. I immediately put them on and took a walk, completely pain free instantly. I haven't worn anything since. My therapist looked at the shoes with great skepticism, but his intern actually wrote down the name of the shoes and is determined to research online. Hopefully the pain will begin to subside and I can wear my flip flops again, but until that day, nothing else will go on my feet. Thanks!

I am a 350 pound, 55 year old man, that is on his feet for most of the day. I am a registered nurse and work in the operating room. I also run my own catering business. I have had neck, shoulder, back. hip, knee and foot pain for years. I was encouraged to try a pair of MBT shoes from my shoe sales professional. He told me to walk a short block from the store and back. WOW! All the pain in my shoulders went away. My neck was instantly better. It took only a day of wear to help my back. And now, after a week, my knees don't hurt at all. Thank you for the shoe. I was almost going to retire for good, because I could not continue to stand at the OR table, or do my catering without a day or two of harsh pain. If MBT ever needs a spokes person I'm your man. Regards

MBT as a medical assistive device Dear Sir/Madam, As a rheumatological and sports medicine orientated internist, I have very good experience in working with MBT and many patients suffering back, knee and foot problems. When specialist instructions are given through a professionally trained person, then the best results are reached. The most common indication in my practice is the degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, especially of the intervertebral discs, where the alignment of the pelvis and body optimises posture and load on the skeletal axes. Also the wide range of foot problems, such as achillodynia, muscle overload or degenerative changes, including knee and occasionally hips, are indications for MBT. On a personal note, I also wear MBT, because they can positively influence lumbar tension and problems. On the whole, I am of the opinion that this shoe should undoubtedly be termed a medical device. Dr. med. M. Schmid

Regarding: MBT Shoes A problem that occurs following knee injuries and operative knee interventions, such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament replacement, is the proprioceptive deficit that results from proprioceptive insufficiency. Particularly following cruciate ligament operations, we must conclude that the most common secondary injuries to the operated leg are tendinous pathologies and muscular tears. This is due to insufficient coordination of the whole leg. A beneficial assistance in regaining this proprioceptive skill is the use of MBT. This can be recommended directly from the 5th postoperative week, when the patient no longer needs mobility support. Demands are placed on coordination skills through use of the special learned gait pattern with the MBTs. These are not at all dangerous for the ACL replacement because there is no increased angular acceleration and no tibial anteriorisation in the knee joint. By testing athletes’ performances, we measured improved values of the MBT-subjects compared with a normal group. Furthermore, we noticed an increased speed of post surgical oedema reduction. We would not hesitate in recommending MBTs to our patients following knee injuries and anterior cruciate ligament replacement rehabilitation. Yours faithfully Dr. med. Jürgen Eichhorn P.S.: This reference can be used for any purpose, including Internet.

Dear Mr Roth From information gathered and our experience with patients, we have collated the following indications: Dg: Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Dob: 94. Before MBT, roll of the foot was not good. With MBT, harmonious rolling movement. Dg: Lumbar radial Irritation and sensory motor impairment syndrome L4 right, Spondylarthrosis ; Dob: 30. Before wearing MBT, leg pain experienced when walking. Now, as a result of the medical assistive device, improved alignment of the body. Leg pain relieved when walking. Dg: CVI Jan. 97, left hemi , epilepsy; Dob: 69. Improved proprioceptive load of the affected leg, which positively affects the ataxia and lowers the tone of the affected arm. Dg: ACL rupture; Dob: 68. Improved proprioception, pain-free since wearing MBT, improved sensation. MBT is a medical assistive device that functions only through the specialist instruction of a physiotherapist. Yours sincerely, Physiotherapy B. Jordi and Team

Statement - MBT- a medical assistive device Dr. Roger Berbig, Specialist in surgery, former football professional "Personally, I am a huge fan of MBT. I have been wearing them for years now. I couldn’t imagine my working day in the operation theatre and in case conferences without MBT." With our patients in the sports clinic in Zurich, we use MBT regularly and with a specific aim. As a result of the special construction of this assistive device (negative heel, increased input-reply, foot sole consisting of a heel sensor and encouraging mid-foot load) and the reduced load of the forefoot and rear foot, new areas of therapeutic application in medicine arise. The results are impressive. The main area of application is for overload damage of the lower extremities. The MBT is also frequently applied post-operatively. We are convinced that the MBT can work preventatively, as through MBT application many problems of the musculo-skeletal system cannot emerge. We, from the Sport Clinic Zurich, see the MBT as an important innovation and as a medical assistive device. However, it is very important, and the success depends upon this, that MBT is instructed by physiotherapists, as is carried out here in the medical training centre at the Sport Clinic Zurich. Zürich, 20.Juni.2002 Dr. med. Roger Berbig: Dr. med. Ursus Lüthi: Dr. med. Bruno Waespe:

Dr. med. F. Brunner ParaCare Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Blagrist Forchstrasse 340 8008 Zürich 20.6.2002 Experience with Masai Shoes In the following words, I will describe my experience so far with the Masai shoes. I have been wearing the Masai sandals for about a year now and wear them the whole day during work. I had heard a lot about them and was quite intrigued. At first, it felt strange and definitely took some getting used to, but thanks to good instruction from the physiotherapist in the clinic and the literature, I learnt quite quickly how to walk. I can recommend the Masai shoes to everyone. Most importantly, I noticed the postural correction of my trunk and I had the feeling that this was easily transferred to times when I wasn’t wearing MBT. As a runner, I noticed the increased demand on the lower leg muscles, but this training is also possible during normal working hours. I appreciate the comfort of the sandal in summer when the temperature increases. I hope that in the future there will be a more attractive design available for the closed model. I have recommended the Masai shoe to colleagues and patients. Yours faithfully Dr. med. F. Brunner

I have been using MBT for 2 months as personal rehabilitation. For 2 years, 3 times a week, I have been doing a medical training therapy for a lumbospondylogenic syndrome (as a result of the spondylarthrosis L5/S1 and a small medio-lateral intervertebral disc hernia L5/S1). Although I recommended MBT to my patients for over a year, I did not wear them myself. My lumbalgia persisted. Since I have started to wear MBT daily(start 4/02) for work at the hospital (approx. 8h/d) and also 3 times per week in the evenings for a 30 minute roll-trot/roll jog, the remaining problems of my lumbar spine have reduced by 50%. In addition, I have a simple assistive device (following specialist instruction in the beginning) that I can use to rid me of the tension in my spine. During the work in the hospital/practice it is much less effort to balance whilst standing and is even fun. The MBT reminds me, through it’s instability, to walk upright (imagine carrying a buck of water on your head). Following sports such as wind surfing, climbing or strength training, I use MBT for regeneration and passive stretching (calf and ischiocrurale muscles), and to reduce lumbo-sacral pain. In the near future, I will be the doctor for the cross-country ski B-team of Switzerland and will apply MBT for strength training, posture correction, proprioceptive training, regeneration and as an alternative to stretching. The biomechanics of the muscles of the body is like a spiral, which acts to stabilise the joints. In this sense, the MBT equally activates the foot, stabilising muscles and producing a forefoot load release through the increase mid-foot load, which, for example, for regeneration, is often a wish of cross-country skiers and amateur long-distance runners. It is possible that changed tensional relationships on the tendinous insertion reactivate tendinous pathologies. In these cases the wear time per day must be somewhat reduced and/or gait education again carried out. With achillodynia (also e.g. heel spurs), in my experience it is recommended to carry out a stepped application of MBT. Only 10 minutes in the first week, then successively increase in accordance with the complaints and reactions. A control carried out by a doctor (an MBT trained doctor) is recommended every 2 weeks. The MBT is a medical assistive device, that in the presence of complaints and in discussion with a doctor or physiotherapist (and additional support such as the introduction course lead by trained individuals), can serve as a sensible alternative in the rehabilitation of the musculo-skeletal system. This feedback comes from my professional and personal experience. Using MBT is also recommended as a preventative measure. However, it is important to receive regular repetitions of the instructions by trained individuals, in order to correct any mistakes. Dr. med. Michael Fierz

Statement regarding the MBT shoe as a medical assistive device As a general practitioner I am very often confronted with the problems of the musculo-skeletal system. Degenerative (wear and tear) joint and back problems such as hip and knee degeneration, or the lumbar vertebral pain syndrome, are the most common reasons for a GP consultation. I apply the MBTs to these indications along with medication and physiotherapy, because it is a training device that is generally activating, builds up muscle, protects articular cartilage and improves proprioceptive function. It can provide both therapy and prevention for joint problems without investing extra time and effort, because it can be integrated into the daily routine. On one hand, the negative heel position provokes a stretching and strengthening of the lower leg muscles. On the other hand, the tilting edge (or pivot point) that prevents a passive walking and standing pattern, activates the proprioceptive muscular reflexes and, as a consequence, coordination and gait pattern are improved. Further indications, for which I apply the MBT are: - Achillodynia - Foot deformities: Pes planovalgus, ankle instability - Problems of the veins (varicose veins) - Back pain due to poor posture of the spine - Back pain due to wear and tear of the spine - Heel spurs - seldom: improving walking and standing coordination following cerebellar insult The MBT demands a certain discipline from the patient and a willingness to at least once or preferably, several times, to seek instruction and training for the correct application of the Masai Barefoot Technology. Dr. med. Ch. Widmer: