Please note that I have no relationship with the products or services I describe here. I developed this site partly to encourage me to put more effort into fixing my own back, but also to inspire others to go take control of their own back care.

Hopefully you may find some of the ideas here useful, and maybe can discuss them with your doctor.

If you find mylowerbackpain.com useful, please add a link to it from your website or blog.

Thanks, Steve.

MBTs work well for me

I haven't had any trouble adjusting to my MBTs since I walk a lot on my job. They have slightly improved back and knee pain that I was experiencing. I did have surgery on the ball joint of one of my feet so these shoes were painful to that foot when rocking forward on it. I did have to replace the insoles with something softer to alleviate that some.

The sneaker style I have are rather confining to my toes and I would prefer more room. I might check out another style when I have the money. It tends to make them hot over long shifts, and they rub in the back of the heel some as they are pretty high in the back.

MBTs helped my hypermobility syndrome

by Caris RD

I have suffered many years with hypermobility syndrome. I got to the stage I could not walk down stair first thing in the morning because my feet were so sore.

I eventually looked for help on the internet and saw this advert for MBTs. Like everyone I was dubious, but thought WHY NOT I've tried everything else. Within the first 6 weeks the pain in my feet had gone.

More to come: I decided to try my trainers that I had worn before the MBTs and I was back to square one: sore feet going on my bottom to get down the stairs in the morning. So I changed back to the MBTs - no pain lot's of gain.

I spoke with the chiropodist who said these shoes were the best support for anyone, but they are very expensive. That's the only draw back, but I can't complain.

MBT shoes

MBT shoes helped me a lot.

I was lucky enough to train with Simon at MBTLondon.co.uk who I found via MBTShops.co.uk

In the last 3 months, I can feel my ankle strength coming back, having broken them skiing.

Great find.

I love my MBTs

by Niara
(Durango, CO, USA)

My story is very similar to yours. I've been wearing them for about 2 years now. I absolutely love MBTs, and hardly wear anything else any more. However, when I do wear something else, I wear Vibram FiveFinger shoes, with toe compartments for each toe. These separate the toes in a way that I find restful and strengthening to my feet. They are a great break from the workout my legs get from my MBTs, giving my feet and legs a different kind of workout.

Between my MBTs that I wear about 80% of the time and the FiveFinger shoes that I wear the rest of the time or for river sports, my legs and feet get great exercise and circulation and my posture is far better, my whole center of gravity has shifted for the better.

I find that it's a good idea to review the dvd that came with my MBTs every so often as a reminder to take shorter strides (I habitually used to take long strides)and be mindful of how straight I'm carrying myself. When I'm walking in them straight and tall, eyes forward, I get the best benefits. When I don't walk in them as instructed by the video, I notice a little wear and tear on my knees. But wearing and walking in them properly is an absolute joy... I just glide along and feel no impact in my joints that was so hard to cope with in other shoes. I have spondylolisthesis in my low back and so keeping my leg muscles in shape all the way up to the gluteals is really important to me to stay healthy and functional. I find that holding my posture properly in these shoes also encourages my abdominal muscles to work more, firming and toning them also.

Wonderful shoes! Again, I advise watching the dvd from time to time to review the best way to wear and walk in them.

My MBTs

by Sherry
(South Carolina)

My daughter bought her and I a pair of MBTs at $274 dollars a piece.

I would have NEVER spent that much money on a pair of "shoes" but these things are not just shoes. I wear mine almost every day at work, working in the school system keeps me on my feet all day long.

On days that I don't wear them I do indeed feel the difference.

I would highly recommend MBTs to anyone that spends a lot of time on their feet. They have different styles for different activities so now what you want them for. If you can afford them buy them. I don't think you will regret it.

MBTs helped my back pain and helped me lose weight

by DIANE HECHT
(GLASGOW)

I was advised to buy a pair MBTs (from my physio teacher) after major back surgery.

Nine months on (and four pairs of MBT shoes later) I can't recommend them highly enough! FANTASTIC!!

My back is brilliant and I have lost 2 and a half stones in weight with all the walking I've done! As a bonus, all my cellulite appears to have completely vanished - amazing!!

MBT stimulates my lower back pain (fused L4-5)

(California)

I purchased MBT shoes when they first came out and worked up to wearing them in 5-minute increments around the house. My back had not been giving me any major problems, just the ordinary lower-back stiffness from extended walking or standing.

I started having problems when I moved up to 15 minutes at a time. My back condition rapidly deteriorated until I had trouble just standing. It took a long course of muscle relaxants, heavy anti-inflammatory medicine and rest to regain the condition I had before trying MBT shoes.

It may be that if one has an existing problem (mild to moderate herniated disc, inflamed nerves, etc.) that forcing one's back into a more "desirable or normal" alignment is not advisable.

I will not be experimenting with MBT shoes again, as I have not had that level of pain for some years. It just takes too long to calm my spinal nerves.

Steve's comments:

Thanks for your story - I think you're an example of everyone (and their back pain) being different.

What works for some doesn't work for others...

Good luck in resolving your back pain!

steve

I have been wearing MBTs for several years

by Betsy Oberg

I have been wearing MBT shoes for several years. I was working 12 hour shifts as an ER nurse and developed tremendous pain in my foot. Turned out to be a stress fracture which became a complete fracture. I was off work for several weeks and then was able to work with restrictions (ie. less hours in administrative positions) until I was able to return to work without restrictions.

About a year later when I developed the same pain in my other foot I found an ad for MBT shoes. I bought a pair and long story short my pain ended and I have worn MBTs at work ever since! My original pair is lace up and I felt like they came loose easily so I tried the Professionals (which are like clogs with an adjustable back) and like them much better! I also have the Gil Gils and like them very much.

These shoes are great

by snocone2
(Maryland)

I have been wearing them, the kisumu sandals for a month now, and they are comfortable, fun, and I no longer have pain in my legs. For 3 days when first wearing them, my back hurt, but it has gone away. So there is a break in period.

I think that they will stop the damage done to my feet over the years, I have a huge bunion and my big toe slants. Not correct it, but stop it from getting any worse. You can buy them on sale online, but go to a foot store first to get fitted because it says to go up a size, but that was not the case with my feet.

Happy feet!!!

Robert S

by Robert
(St. Louis)

I've been wearing MBT's for several weeks now and won't wear anything else. Since I've put them on my lower back problems have went bye-bye and they are very comfortable as well. Getting past the sore muscles in the legs only took a couple of days. They are pricey but worth it.