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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:
If MBT is used as secondary therapy for existing basic health conditions its application must be supervised by a medically trained specialist.
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. People with Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) frequently benefit from wearing MBTs as the shoes encourage balanced muscle activity throughout the body.
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. MBTs are also useful for Metatarsalgia as they will reduce the pressure to the front of the foot.
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.
Wearing orthopaedic sole inserts in MBTs is not recommended as orthopaedic inserts support feet, whereby the foot muscles are not activated as much. MBTs on the other hand, stimulate and activate the foot muscles. People should try to wear MBT without orthopaedic to fully benefit from the MBT technology.
MBTs dynamically alter loading through the foot, ensuring that the load is distributed evenly through the foot from the moment of heel strike until the foot leaves the ground at toe off. This mimics walking barefoot. Conventional shoes concentrate loading through the heel and then through the forefoot pain in those individuals with osteoarthritis affecting the big toe (a condition also known as hallux rigidus or bunions).
A varicose vein is due to the failure of a valve, which prevents backflow in superficial venous vasculature. MBT usage cannot correct for this mechanical venous malfunction. What MBT does is increase the blood flow in the deep calf veins, thereby minimising superficial venous return.
MBTs can be worn by individuals with both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Wearing the MBT stimulates blood flow to all muscle groups in the legs. It is also a potent aid to proprioception thereby, stimulating the nerve supply to muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons in the lower limbs. This is of benefit and may help individuals who are prone to develop the neuro-vascular complications of Diabetes Mellitus.