Masai Barefoot Technology

[raafox]

Hi all,

I am a private physiotherapist working in London and regularly get asked about my views on "Masai Barefoot Technology" shoes.
Any colleagues I ask give brief often anecdotal opinions about these shoes, saying things like "they shouldn't be worn for longer than 15 minutes" or "I think they are a bad idea" but they never seem to have any reasoning behind these views.

My patients who use them seem convinced by their effectiveness and often wear them all day. One patient i saw recently wears them all day and runs in them between 15-20 miles a day.

My questions to the forum are:

1. What research (other than the articles on the www.swissmasai.co.uk website) if any has been conducted regarding their effect and use in daily life and sport?

2. What safety features are built into the shoe?

3. Physiotherapists general experience in using or treating patients with these shoes?

Thank you

[physio7]

Have you seen the DVD that comes with the shoes?

[raafox]

No where can i get a copy?

[physio7]

Think it comes with the shoes. A colleague was leant a copy by patient there was a booklet of info also.

[physiobob]

For the record I think they are a pile of "crap" and do noting more than any trainer would do. All their papers are comparing it to a rigid dress shoe and when I asked them to show me any of their statistics or results when compared to a good running show they could not produce anything.

I did suggest to a rep of theirs that in fact if someone continued to use them as indicated that the shoe would replace ankle dorsiflexion, which as we know can lead to all sorts of issues but let's not go their. I followed up by saying therefore if you wore them all the time then you would have to continue to do so as returning to flat shoes with a reduction in normal ankle movement would lead to further issues in the foot, knee, pelvis and low back. Basically the longer you wore them the more you have to wear them and noting else. The rep thought that this of course was a great idea.

So a big thumbs down from me. They do not mimic walking in sand etc but we don't need to convince you of that. I do agree that patients in the beginning are convinced of their usefulness, more as a novel was to exercise if you ask me. Also many of my rigid type spine patients (who are pilates and gyrotonic teachers) who were convinced initially ended up throwing them away after a few months due to increased lumbar pain. Oh I could go on but I won't.