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With its special sole construction the MBT creates a natural instability in the body which is compensated by a balancing movement, i.e. through increased muscle activity and improved posture. Stress on joints is relieved by activating the stabilising muscle groups around the joints whilst shifting the body's centre of gravity.

The result is erect, natural and biomechanically correct gait and posture. MBT can help with back, hip, leg and foot problems as well with medical conditions regarding the muscles, ligaments and tendons. If the MBT is used as a secondary therapy for existing basic health conditions, its application must be supervised by a medically-trained MBT instructor. Special care must be taken in the case of all acute stages of any medical conditon.

For further enquiries: mbt-academy@swissmasai.co.uk

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FOOT PROBLEMS

ANSWER FROM MBT

Most foot problems today result from inadequate neuromuscular control and movement patterns. Conventional shoes support and cushion. The muscular system is not stimulated and forgets its function. The consequences of a loss of muscular function can be flat, spread or splayfeet. Hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis and heel spurs can also be caused, in part, by incorrect footwear (high heels).

The MBT sole is constructed to create a natural instability. The Masai Sensor is the first obstacle: landing is soft and feels uncertain. The sensomotor system quickly reacts with the appropriate muscle activity, so that the foot joints are actively stabilised. The foot then rolls over the balancing section towards the toes. The active stability is maintained and the foot can roll off physiologically. Control over the rolling movement changes the stresses and strains on the foot. Increased muscle activity relieves the foot joints.

KNEE PROBLEMS

ANSWER FROM MBT

The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body. Various structures may be injured and/or degenerate: e.g. meniscus problems/tears, problems with the patellar tendon, torn ligaments or pain behind the knee-cap. The consequences are instability and knee pain. This in turn leads to compensating movements and posture to reduce the pressure on the damaged structures. The muscles around the knee joint become weakened. In the long term, this can compromise the ability to walk and negatively affect quality of life.

Landing on the Masai Sensor activates the stabilising muscle system. First of all around the foot joint, then around the next joint: the knee. The pressure on the heel on landing is reduced and therefore also the force acting on the knee. Walking with MBT reduces the pressure on the knee joint by 19 % (Nigg 2004). While walking, the leg strikes the ground straight and then stretches through the knee. Ideally the torso should be vertical and directly above the leg when the pressure on the leg itself is highest. By activating the muscles close to the joints and a correct walking technique, MBT can be an effective therapy for knee problems.

HIP PROBLEMS

ANSWER FROM MBT

Most hip pain results from an imbalance in the muscles around the hip. Sitting for long periods of time, one-sided stresses and strains in everyday life and sport can cause shortening of the hip flexor and weakening of the stabilising muscles of the hip. This increase the pressure inside the joint, the cartilage may degenerate and cause pain. In the long term, the function of the joint may be compromised and result in considerable difficulty in walking.

Landing on the Masai Sensor activates the stabilising muscles of the hip because the insecurity it induces means that the one-legged stance must be compensated. While walking, the step is extended a long way behind the body, so that the hip flexor is stretched slightly. Muscle exercise and stretching improve the joint’s stability and stretch the joint itself. This reduces the pressure on the joint and in turn reduces the pain.

LEG COMPLAINTS

ANSWER FROM MBT

Lack of exercise can cause vein problems and water retention in the legs. The venous valves support the flow of blood from the legs back to the heart. If the valves leak, blood pools in the legs. Initial complaints are tiredness, a feeling of heaviness and tightness and possibly also muscle cramps.

Walking with MBT, in particular the movement in the ankle, stimulates the circulation. This activates the calf muscle pump and encourages the flow of blood in the veins from the legs back to the heart. Pressure in the veins is reduced, the swelling of the legs can decrease and initial complaints can be alleviated. Walking with MBT will not cure broken and leaking venous valves but can help to relieve the associated symptoms.

One commonly encounter problem, sciatica, is characterised by pain down the back of the leg to the foot. This is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve either in the back or in the bottom.

MBTs can help to relieve sciatica by taking the pressure off the irritated structures thus letting the nerve heal.

BACK PAIN

ANSWER FROM MBT

Back pain is a very common disease pattern today. Eight out of ten people experience back pain. There are many different causes of back pain and indeed the cause is often unknown. Lack of exercise, one-sided stress and strain, standing and sitting for long periods of time are frequent causes of tension in the shoulder/neck area and the back. This in turn can, among other things, cause pain. Weakness in the deep or 'core-stability' muscles resulting from inactivy and from the stresses of prenancy and child birth are highly associated with back pain.

Problems in the back can refer into the leg and down to the foot either as pain (sciatica) or as an alteration in the normal sensation (pins & needles or numbness). Symptoms in the leg such as those described or unexplained weakness should be investigated and the back should be considered as a source of the problem.

Strengthening the core stability muscles and improving posture are recommended for treatment of back pain. The position of the torso when walking with MBT is 10º more upright than with conventional shoes. This means that the strain is distributed uniformly on the muscles on the front and back of the body and the core stability muscles are placed in an optimal position to function properly. The natural instability of MBT forces the torso to keep the body balanced all the time. Small muscles close to the joints along the spine are activated and thus protect it from shocks. Floating relaxes and loosens the back muscles even more. MBT can be used for unspecific back pain, following disc prolapse, lower back pain, lumbago and scoliosis, as a therapeutic tool and exercise equipment.

ARTHROSIS

ANSWER FROM MBT

Arthrosis is wear and tear on the cartilage in a joint. It occurs most frequently in the knee or hip joints and also in the spine. Arthrosis can be triggered by a an injury, lack of exercise, being over-weight or excessive one-sided stresses and strains. Pain, swelling, muscle tension and increasingly curtailed mobility may trigger a visit to a physician and lead to the diagnosis.

MBT exercises the muscles close to the joints of the feet, knees, hips and spine. The natural instability induced by the Masai Sensor forces the body to balance and adjust itself all the time. Walking with MBT reduces pressure on the knee and hip joints by 19% compared to conventional shoes. The torso is 10º more erect. Wearing MBT on a regular basis exercises the small muscles close to the joints and can result in a more uniform distribution of pressure on the joints. MBT can also be used in the non-acute phases of degenerative processes such as arthritis.

ADIPOSITY

ANSWER FROM MBT

Adiposity is the medical term for being abnormally overweight, characterised by an excessive accumulation of fatty tissue in the body. Today adiposity is considered a chronic illness. Being overweight is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, diabetes or metabolic disorders, and therefore also for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, excessive demands are placed on the musculo-skeletal system, which will suffer from degenerative wear and tear. Approximately one in three adults in Europe is overweight and should lose weight for health reasons. The main causes of adiposity are lack of exercise and poor, high-fat eating habits.

Walking with MBT reduces pressure on the knee and hip joints, as well as shocks to the spine. The soft landing on the Masai Sensor and the rolling-off movement of the foot make walking pleasant and enjoyable. The small muscles close to the joints are exercised and the increased muscular effort burns more calories. The new pleasure in moving and the benefits of exercise can be a positive contribution to a therapy for adiposity.

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