Joya Frequently Asked Questions

How do Joya shoes work?

The positive effect of a soft, springy surface on the body has been put to good use by physiotherapists and is a highly topical subject in the fields of prevention / rehabilitation. Joya has developed a shoe which makes use of this principle.

The soft, supple material of the patented Joya sole means the load on the sole of your feet is ideally distributed as you walk and stand instead of being concentrated only on certain spots. When your heel strikes the soft Joya sole, your foot makes “micro-movements” which can also activate the muscles around the joints in the feet, hips and back. The soft polyurethane soles provide effective cushioning, which can take the pressure off your backbone and lighten the load on your spinal discs.

Does Joya support sensorimotor training?

The word "sensomotoric" is composed of two terms and means the optimal interaction of sensory (nervous) and motor (muscular) processes. An essential part of sensomotoric training are exercises on soft, moving surfaces. The sensomotoric training in the Joya shoe activates the small muscles close to the joints, which can help to relieve the joints and the intervertebral discs. Well-known doctors, orthopaedists and movement specialists recommend Joya.

I suffer from diabetes. Can I wear Joya?

Joya can be worn by both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent diabetes patients. Wearing Joya stimulates the blood flow in the legs. It is also a good aid for improving sensorimotor functions. For people who develop neurovascular complications, it is beneficial in terms of prevention. Styles with no fore-foot stitching can help to prevent rubbing on diabetic feet. The wearer should consult their doctor regarding suitability and requirements of footwear.

Why does Joya have different soles?

Through years of experience and the constant exchange with our customers, we were able to determine that there are many different needs and expectations of a shoe. For some customers a rocker shoe is the best concept for comfort and well- being, others want comfort and well-being combined with fashion aspects and others want a shoe that can solve problems with the musculoskeletal system. All Joya soles have one thing in common: they transform a hard and flat floor into a soft-elastic base and thus provide comfort, well-being and a special walking sensation.

What is the difference to MBT shoes?

MBT was introduced to the market as a medical training device. Joya is a comfort shoe which can provide additional health benefits due to its continuously soft sole. With Joya the very soft PU material is distributed over the whole sole, with MBT only in the heel area. This makes Joya's foot extremely softly embedded. In MBT, there is a hard plate that allows a "rocking" effect when standing, but guides the foot when rolling. At Joya, we believe in the philosophy of natural freedom of movement, which allows the foot to guide the shoe, thus targeting the small foot muscles more specifically and allowing a more natural rolling movement than with MBT. Furthermore, Joya shoes do not require any extra gait training as with MBT.

Foot problems

Can Joya help with general foot pain?

Joya reduces the pressure at the heel as well as in the forefoot and metatarsus through the soft sole, which can be helpful for various foot aches.

Can I wear Joya if I have flat feet?

Joya stimulates the muscles of your foot. Joya helps to make the natural rolling movement over the outside of the foot and can help to relieve the overloaded structure on the inside of a flat foot.

Is Joya helpful with heel pain/plantar fasciitis/heel spur?

Joya can help with heel pain/plantar fasciitis because the soft sole reduces pressure at the bend of the foot where the plantar fascia is located. If the inflammation is already ossified (heel spur), Joya can positively change the pressure conditions through the soft sole, so that the diseased structure can be relieved.

Can I wear Joya with orthopedic insoles?

Orthopaedic insoles can be worn in Joya. However, we recommend using insoles that are as soft as possible or sensorimotor insoles to ensure that the function of Joya is still guaranteed. In order to achieve a training effect for the muscles, we also recommend wearing Joya without insoles for a certain period of time.

I suffer from hallux valgus/metatarsophalangeal joint arthrosis. Can Joya help me?

Joya changes the load distribution across the sole of the foot and ensures that the load is evenly distributed from the moment the heel touches down to the moment the foot leaves the ground via the tip of the toe. In conventional shoes, the main load is on the heel and forefoot, and increases as the heel detaches over the big toe. This can lead to potential pain such as hallux valgus, or later to arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe (hallux rigidus).

I have metatarsalgia. Can Joya help me?

Joya can be helpful in case of metatarsalgia, because the soft sole reduces the pressure in the forefoot. Some Joya soles are equipped with an additional extra soft forefoot cushion to provide relief for this type of pain.

Do you recommend Joya shoes for Achilles tendon problems? What is there to consider?

Achillodynia, a typical overloading of the Achilles tendon, can be helped by stretching, physiologically correct loading (pressing forcefully on the outside of the heel without bending inwards) and good blood circulation. With its soft sole, the Joya shoe offers ideal cushioning for joints and feet. It is recommended by doctors and physiotherapists for the rehabilitation of Achilles tendon pain. It is quite possible that your feet need some time to get used to the shoe. Feedback from many satisfied customers who have suffered from Achilles tendon pain confirms that the shoe has helped them a lot. If in doubt, discuss the procedure with your doctor or orthopaedic surgeon.

Knee & hip Joints

I am getting an artificial knee / hip joint; can I wear Joya?

Soft walking with Joya encourages the body to make small balancing movements, which means that joint-stabilising muscles in the hip have to work more. The soft Joya sole also cushions the shocks of the hard-flat ground. All these factors can be beneficial. Especially in the preoperative phase.

I have an artificial knee/hip joint. When can I start wearing Joya after the operation?

We recommend not to wear Joya during the first 6-8 weeks after the operation. However, it is possible to use Joya in the postoperative phase under the supervision of a doctor or therapist.

My legs are of different lengths and I have to wear insoles. Can I wear them together with the Joya?

A heel-heel elevation with an actual difference in length (due to a congenital abnormality or a fracture of the femur or tibia) of more than one centimetre can be worn together with Joya. If the difference is less than one centimetre, a heel elevation is normally not necessary.

Back pain

Is Joya suitable for back problems?

The soft Joya sole causes the foot to sink in when the heel is placed on the foot, which also causes the pelvis to sink on this side. Due to this movement, the back muscles have to work more reflexively, which can have a positive effect on back problems. Furthermore, the soft Joya sole absorbs the shocks of the hard-flat floor, which can also have a positive effect on back problems.