The original MBT from 2004

Example of pronated feet

Are rocker sole shoes the greatest footwear ever invented or are consumers getting set up for the 2010 version of the popular 1970′s Earth shoe?
Background
Rocker shoes have been around for a long, long time.  As pedorthists, we use a variety of rocker soles to help people with foot problems.  Rocker soles can be:

• a negative heel to help unload the forefoot (like an Earth shoe)

• a double rocker to help relieve mid-foot arthritis

• a heel-to-toe rocker to help replace lost motion at the ankle (MBT) or hybrid like a negative heel/forefoot (Chung Shi) that uniquely accomplishes results for a variety of foot pathologies.

In 2004, our store brought on a funky looking rocker bottom shoe called Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) from a company in Switzerland.  At $245 the shoes were a fantastic value.  People who could not normally walk due to an ankle fusion could now move with a normal gait.  People who suffered from Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain and Metatarsalgia found immediate relief wearing the shoes.  Incredibly, each pair of shoes came with crude CD displaying a variety of training exercises. The shoes also had the backing of several extensive medical studies allowing us C.Peds the ability to ‘train’ our customers and patients in proper use of the shoes.  According to the medical studies, one can see that the shoes do in fact increase muscle activity by calling on neglected muscles to support the musculoskeletal system.

In 2005, a German shoe company called Chung Shi came to America with a shoe that provided even more physiological and muscle toning benefits  Before you could say roll with the changes, we were off to the races!

Fast Forward Six Years
Leave it to creative advertising and multi-million dollar ad budgets by brand marketers like Skechers, who enticed American consumers to jump on board with the body-toning revolution of rocker soles, thus creating a new category of health and wellness footwear.  Thanks to MBT and Chung Shi, there are now dozens of manufacturers on the rocker sole bandwagon, all claiming everything from six-pack abs to a tighter tush.

Rocker Benefits
As mentioned previously, rocker soles provide added benefits that the ‘normal’ shoe wearer would otherwise not appreciate like improved posture.  In addition, shoes like MBT and Chung Shi are proven to increase circulation and reduce edema.  Since the shoes mimic the experience of walking on soft, natural terrain, pressure is reduced on your back, knees and hips, too.

Consumer Alert
Despite what advertisers may tell you, rocker shoes-especially unstable rockers, CANNOT be worn by everyone.  Unfortunately, most people don’t know if they are a good candidate for rocker soles or what they should look out for when trying them on.  Here are a few guidelines:

• Stability: If you have balance issues, a leg length discrepancy of ½” or more or experience vertigo, it’s best to consider other options.
• Excessive Pronation:  If your ankles and feet roll in a lot and you’re not wearing good orthotics you’re asking for BIG trouble.  This will cause more stress on your feet, knees and hips and could complicate physiological issues.
• Heavy Lifting: If you lift heavy objects on a regular basis you need more stability not instability.  The natural instability of rocker sole shoes will make work more difficult and increase your chance of injury.
• Workout shoes: These are NOT workout shoes!  Rocker shoes are made to help you walk in a straight line.  Any side-to-side movement should be avoided.  Do not wear them for aerobics, running or weight training, for example.

Before you run off and buy a pair of rocker shoes, I encourage you to be evaluated for gait and stability.  A certified pedorthist can offer this assessment for you.  Just as you would not call your doctor when you have a plumbing leak, similarly, rocker soled shoes should not be purchased from the internet or just any shoe sales person.  Now you have the info to be a smart consumer.  Good luck and email me at scsfeet@sbcgloabl.net if you have any questions.