Magic Shoes?

Has anyone else heard of MBT brand shoes  This weekend, while dropping Maya off at a ‘High School Musical 2’ sleepover extravaganza, I started chatting with M’s BFF’s mom BFF’s mom had these huge looking, yet still kinda cute, shoes on her feet. She has told me in the past of her back problems.  She goes to the chiropractor, takes muscle relaxants, does stretching and yoga…nothing helps.  It’s gotten so bad that a few weeks ago, she went to a movie with her husband and daughter, and they had to leave because she was in so much pain.  This is no way for a 34 year old to live her life, let me tell you.  Enter the magic shoes. She had heard from a friend that they work pretty darned well, mostly by correcting your posture while you walk.  She told me that she bought some a week ago…and in ONE WEEK, she was off of her pain meds, no more doctor, no more pain.  She has energy again (which she had lost due to the muscle relaxants) and feels like her old self once more.  Wow.  Now I have back pain, which I’ve mentioned before. Partially lower back pain, which comes in sharp twinges, and hurts like hell, and partially in the upper back, which comes in a continual ache, which also hurts like hell, but is much less of a spasm.  I ran out and got myself a pair of these fancy pantsy shoes, and I’m hoping they’ll alleviate the lower back pain.  Not sure what they might do for upper back, but I’m hopeful.

I put them on Friday night, and took Genevieve for a walk.  I noticed right away that I was standing up straighter…they really do seem to correct your alignment.  I’m hopeful, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress. 🙂

One warning, before you run off to get a pair.  As BFF’s mom told me, any shoes that come with a DVD?  EXPENSIVE. And yup, she was sure right about that.

Another back thing…we went to another kid party on Saturday, at a pool.   I don’t leave pool parties, because kids start getting rough, and I don’t want to find out later that someone drowned, when I could have maybe been there watching.  So I stay and watch.  Well, the hostess of the party was talking to another parent about the Bowen Technique.  Hostess told me that several years ago, while on vacation in the UK, she put her back out while lifting something, and was in so much pain that she couldn’t stand up straight.  Someone recommended a Bowen therapist in her area, and the next morning, she woke up and all of her pain was GONE.  She was so impressed by that experience, and others since then, that she is working toward her certification to be a Bowen therapist here in the Bay Area.  She offered to work on my back if I would like, maybe some of that pesky upper back pain…I’m thinking I may just take her up on her offer.  Anyone out there, especially my UK readers (do I have any UK readers?), ever heard of this technique? Horror stories?  Miracle cure stories?

11 Comments

  • ML

    Thanks for the tip! Gus has horrible back problems and I’m forwarding this info to him.

    I hope it works for you 🙂

  • J

    Gina, there is some ‘negative heel’ going on, which I think helps to straighten your back, but there’s more to it than that…the heel is rounded in a very dorky way, allowing you to walk using your whole foot (the bottom, anyway) rather than just the pressure points that they claim cause a lot of problems. BFF’s mom says she wears hers all day, not just when taking walks, but I’m getting a few ‘new shoe blisters’, so I’m waiting on wearing them THAT long. Wore them 2 miles yesterday, which was great. 🙂

  • MsMamma

    I think these are the same as Swiss Masai. Good to know they actually work because they were suggested to a friend. Now I will recommend them to my mama.

  • Py Korry

    I notice that you look taller with these shoes! I hope it helps with your back pain ’cause you’ve been suffering with this on and off for years.

  • kookiejar

    I hope those shoes do work for you. My father just told me that he has to get some sort of doctor prescribed shoe because his ankle has slipped out of alignment. I’ve never heard of such a thing! Anyway, yeah, let us know if those shoes help.

  • V-Grrrl

    I was at the American Embassy in Brussels today and saw a big poster advertising these shoes (along with a Pilates class). I was fascinated by them too. I have scoliosis and other back issues and have been under chiropractic care for 20 years. Posture is a BIG issue for me. Do keep updating on how these shoes work for you over time. I’m sure I’m one of many people who are interested in the results.

  • lalunas

    I saw some older lady wearing these shoes. They are really funky looking. I have the worst back and feet pain always looking for stuff to help. I bought these insoles for my shoes from a TV commerical. They kind of help. I am always looking for something. I will come over and get the name of the lady who does that Bowen Techique and try that. My goal is to have a day without pain like everyone else.

  • Cherry

    Ohh.. where did you get your shoes?
    I’ve seen people where these, and have heard they do wonders for the back. Since I have hip alignment troubles, I’d love to try me a pair.