Why it works

Who Designed Freedom Soles ?

Freedom Soles were designed by an experienced posture expert and Alexander Technique Teacher, Alex Maunder. After more than 20 years of working with patients with back pain Alex Maunder realised that the key to successful recovery was moderate exercise combined with postural improvement and release of excessive muscular tension in the body.

So he developed a unique design of footwear that will automatically improve your posture whilst allowing a release of excess tension in the back muscles. The key principle of Freedom Soles is an inbuilt pivot area in the foot sole that has been shifted further back towards the heel to correct the forward leaning posture that most people suffer from. When the balance line moves back the patient is automatically forced to stand upright with a more optimal alignment for standing and walking. This pivot area, combined with a soft heel insert and a special rounded mid-sole forces the patient to stand in the correct alignment but also creates an area of stability where the back muscles can be released. Recent research at Sheffield Hallam University has shown a decrease of -43% in multifidus muscle activity in the lower back.

• 1. Soft heel insert (TPU material)
• 2. Shoe uppers
• 3. Soft shaped insole
• 4. PU mid-sole

• 5. Outer sole
• 6. Pivot area
• 7. Rounded heel
• 8. Rounded toe

As you walk the rounded toe and heelencourages a more natural rolling motion of the foot, with shorter strides and a more upright posture.This, combined with the softness of the shoe insole encourages increased sensory feed-back, so you are more aware of what you are doing as you walk.This result is typically associated with a reduction of joint pain.

With the improved postural alignment and the stability of the pivot area in the middle of the shoe, excessive muscular tension patterns can be released in all the back muscles. There are fewer shocks and jolts to the body, so the body experiences a natural release of muscular tension together with a more optimal posture, which is excellent for allowing the spinal vertebrae and discs to regenerate. Each step becomes a relaxation and a therapy at the same time.

These principles mean that  Freedom Soles may help with the symptoms of many conditions such as:

• Back pain, trapped nerves and muscle spasm
• Hip and ankle problems
• Preperation for, and Recovery after pregnancy

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH STUDIES

Sheffield Hallam University
The Center for Sport and Exercise Science

Study performed for Freedom Shoes Ltd, Feb 2009, Click here to download the whole PDF version of the study.

Dr Tim Vernon; Dr Jonathan Wheat
The Centre for Sport and Exercise Science
Sheffield Hallam University
Collegiate Hall
Collegiate Crescent Campus
Sheffield S10 2BP
Tel: 0114 225 2544