The AGR seal of qualityQuality feature for a back-friendly life

The German association “Campaign for Healthier Backs“ (“Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.”, short: AGR) examined the AuBioMo® and Anti Step® shoes

of the brand chung shi and awarded the seal of quality “certified & recommended” to them. The AGR seal of quality offers a perfect orientation on

searching back-friendly shoes. With this award the AGR follows former scientific and medical studies which claim that wearing chung shi shoes

improves the posture of the spinal column. The manufacturer of the chung shi shoes is ME & Friends AG located in Holzkirchen in Upper Bavaria.

The „Campaign for Healthier Backs“

(AGR e. V.) informs you independently

Approximately 80% of the German population

are suffering more or less often from back pain.

Reasons for that are physical inactivity, over-

weight, inappropriate biomechanical stress

as well as long term PC work and watching TV.

Another reason, which is often disregarded, is

the use of everyday items. The Campaign for

Healthier Backs attends exactly to this issue.

As early as the 1990’s, the esteemed medical

doctor Dr. Günther Neumeyer from Hamburg,

Germany supported the theory that back-

friendly products are important for the pre-

vention and treatment of backache. Today,

this theory is undisputed and has been proven

in various studies. Thanks to his initiative,

the independent association “Campaign for

Healthier Backs“ (“Aktion Gesunder Rücken

e.V.”) was founded in 1995. This non-profit

organisation is cooperating with various me-

dical faculties and their associations, as well

as with many thousands of doctors and the-

rapists. Comprehensive findings and informa-

tion from the medical world are collected and

published. The latest findings from the fields

of orthopaedics, physiotherapy, industrial

medicine, sports science etc. are drawn up by

independent experts. This helps many people

who are stricken by backache.

The AGR seal of quality provides orientation

A valuable help for anguished people is the

AGR seal of quality. It identifies everyday

items whose ergonomic quality was tested by

several medical fields. It is undisputable that

back-friendly products of daily use are impor-

tant elements for prevention and therapy

when having back problems. Affected persons

should re-equip their personal surroundings

back-friendly, both their workplace and their

residential area. The AGR seal of quality is a

valuable aid in decision making. It stands for

strict test criteria which were developed con-

certedly by independent medical and thera-

peutic specialists.

This panel of experts consists of members

of the two highest professional medical as-

sociations, the “Association of German Back

Schools” (“Bundesverband der deutschen Rü-

ckenschulen e.V.”) and the “Forum of Healthy

Back – Better Living” (“Forum Gesunder Rü-

cken –besser leben e.V.”). Only products which

pass a sophisticated exam receive the AGR

seal of quality. The value of the AGR seal of

quality itself was also tested by another con-

sumer organisation, by the German “Oekotest

Magazine”, and got the rating “excellent”. This

is one more solid quality proof of the AGR seal

of quality.

If you are looking for help with your backache

or if you are looking for back-friendly products

then pay attention to the AGR seal of quality.

September 2010

time to balance

Localisation of backpainSource: tns healthcare, BKK Bundesverband

40% Neck area

20% Arms43% Shoulder region

30% Legs

28% BetweenShoulder blades

70% Vertebra of the loin

14

p.1 The AGR seal of qualityQuality feature for a back-friendly life

More details:

www.chung-shi.comwww.agr-ev.de

Rocker sole shoes are good for your spinal columnAGR seal of quality for chung shi® pro-duct lines AuBioMo® and Anti Step®

Test criteria of the interdisciplinary testing committee

FAQ

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A healthy back starts with the feet.

But why does the AGR care about shoes? That

is very easy: ill-fitting shoes often cause an

incorrect posture of the whole body with ne-

gative effects on the back musculature, hip

joints and spinal column. Everyone knows

that walking barefoot is good for you. So it is

likely that many back problems are caused by

wearing “wrong” shoes. A lack of correct move-

ment, hard walking surfaces and overly bolste-

red shoe constructions mean that the muscles

of your feet do not get the exercise they need.

The best you can do is walking barefoot on a

beach or a meadow. By this you are exercis-

ing all muscles, ligaments and foot joints and

causing a natural walking gait. Furthermore it

is good for a stable equilibrium.

Simulating walking barefoot

The company ME & Friends AG from Holzkir-

chen, Bavaria has developed active shoes for

simulating walking barefoot and passed the

stern test of the AGR.

An active shoe should have the natural form

of the foot and must be fitted for its length

and width. It also needs a damping system. It

should stimulate the perception of the whole

body as well as the motion sequences of the

muscles of the feet and the legs.

Active shoes have a smaller contact area to

the ground than ordinary shoes

On which construction principle are the

AuBioMo and Anti Step shoes based on?

The “heart” of AuBioMo® is a system for shoes

and health that has been developed by ex-

perts. This unique concept of flowing motion

supports the natural rolling movement of the

foot when walking; the musculature is activa-

ted and strengthened. As a result there is less

strain on the ankle and knee joints. The angled

toe and heel areas of the sole (15° for the Com-

fort Step and 20° for the Balance Step), com-

bined with a centre rocker bar induce a correct

and entirely natural biomechanical gait from

the very first step. Wearing the AuBioMo® sys-

tem shoe enables you to sense the individual

phases of your walking motion in total com-

fort. Without being aware of it you gradually

develop a more confident gait. By contrast the

Anti Step® shoes have a rounded sole which

activates and strengthens the muscles. The

“Double Neovent Technology” in the sole af-

fords extraordinary comfort every time the

shoe is worn, helping to take the pressure off

the joints and thus to protect them. Walking

with Anti Step® shoes is more moderate than

with AuBioMo® shoes. What both systems

have in common is a reduced contact area of

the sole (see graphic on page 2).

Purposes of both shoe systems:

· Activate neglected muscles of the body

and the lower extremities

· Increased blood circulation in feet and legs

· Support the natural walking gait

· More upright posture when walking

or standing

· Improved sense of balance

Scientific studies show the positive results

Several scientific studies confirmed the desi-

red effects of the chung shi AuBioMo® shoes.

An extended muscle activity in the lower extre-

mities and an improved sense of balance were

documented by the University of Calgary (Ste-

fanyshy, Osis, Trembley, Park 2006). Beneficial

effects on the posture of the spinal column

after wearing the AuBioMo shoes were confir-

med by the studies of Yi (2006) and of Laar and

Meichsner (2009). Sports scientist Matthias

Laar and orthopaedist Dr. med. Maximilian

Meichsner think that primarily the lower sta-

bilizers are responsible for a better posture. Yi

(2006) proved the positive effects on the foot’s

shape what is generally known as the base of

an upright and correct posture and beneficial

effects on the spinal column. Active shoes of

the brand chung shi® seem also to be helpful

after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) opera-

tions. The patients have to walk on crutches

for one week and especially the subtle refle-

xes and muscles strength are exercised. A new

study by the Lutrina Clinic in Kaiserslautern,

Germany shows clearly that patients wearing

AuBioMo® shoes from the second week after

ACL reconstruction had significant better co-

ordinative abilities than those without (Franz

2009).

To be recommended when having backache or

postural problems

chung shi® active shoes are recommended es-

pecially to people with backache or postural

problems. Patients with degenerative chan-

ging of the lower extremities’ joints benefit

as well as those with a venous insufficiency in

their legs. The chung shi AuBioMo® and Anti

Step® shoes can also be recommended to peo-

ple who have a disturbed sense of balance.

Rocker sole shoes are good for your spinal column AGR seal of quality for chung shi® product lines AuBioMo® and Anti Step®

Test criteria of the interdisciplinary AGR testing committee

32

by chung shi®

by chung shi®

FAQ: Why do you train so many muscles with

the AuBioMo® shoes?

The angle in the heel and in the toe part in

combination with the mid-part integrated

roll resistance forces the wearer to walk au-

tomatically biomechanically correct. This

tones muscles you haven’t used yet.

Why is the AuBioMo® shoe system a dorsal-

gia shoe?

Because it tones your back muscles and

puts you automatically in an upright posi-

tion while walking.

Is walking in these shoes more exhausting

than with ordinary shoes?

The AuBioMo® shoes force the wearer to

walk biomechanically correct. You can com-

pare that with walking barefoot on the

beach or on a meadow. Walking in the Au-

BioMo® shoes is as exhausting as walking

barefoot in nature.

Do I need a special training for wearing

chung shi® shoes?

No, a special training is not necessary.

Can I put insoles into the chung shi® shoes?

Yes. You can put your insoles into all chung

shi® active shoes.

Why is the Anti Step® a lumbago shoe?

Because it has a rounded sole and the “Dou-

ble Neovent Technology” in the heel part.

This ensures supreme comfort and maxi-

mum damping. Pain in the lower back area

can be reduced.

Can I wear Anti Step® and AuBioMo® shoes

all day long?

Yes, you can wear your chung shi® shoes as

long as you feel comfortable with them.

During the first days of wearing your chung

shi® shoes we recommend extending the

time of wearing them gradually. So your

muscles and your body can get used to the

new way of movement step by step.

Studies:Stefanyshyn, Daren/ Osis, Sean/ Tremblay, Laurie/ Park, Sang Kyoon/ Sport Insight Inc.: The Biomechanics of Walking in the chung shi Health Shoe. University of Calgary, October 2006.

Yi, Kyung Ok/ Ewha Woman‘s Univeristy/ Department of Human Movement and Performance/ Gait Biomechanics Lab: Effects of Chung shi Walking Shoes on Posture, Foot Shape, Balance, Flexibility, Menstruation, Pain, Body Composition, and Gait. November 2006.

Franz, Wolfgang: chung shi im Rahmen von Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen bei Teilprothesen-Einbau Arthrose und bei Reparatur von Kreuzbandrissen. Kaiserslautern, 2009.

Meichsner, Maximilian/ Lahr, Matthias: Influence of the chung shi AuBioMo® technology on the spine stabilizing muscles. Bad Tölz, 2009.

chung shi Anti Step® -

the lumbago shoe

chung shi AuBioMo® -

the dorsalgia shoe

When walking barefoot the body experi-

ences a certain natural instability which

forces the muscles to work a little harder.

This has several positive effects on our phy-

sique. The Anti Step system simulates wal-

king barefoot to produce the same positive

effects: its combined features result in a pi-

ece of training equipment for everyday. Eve-

ry single step both tones and strengthens

the muscles producing a harmonious move-

ment that is at once more natural and bio-

mechanically correct. Constant toning and

stretching of the muscles also result in im-

proved stability for the joints. In turn, the

load which joints experience when walking

or standing is considerably reduced. The

“Double Neovent Technology” in the sole

also affords extraordinary comfort every

time the shoe is worn, helping to take the

pressure off the joints and thus to protect

them.

The AuBioMo® system is unique in promo-

ting fluidity of movement, which is part of

the natural rolling motion of the foot. Mu-

scles are activated and strengthened and

this reduces strain on the ankle and knee

joints. The angled toe and heel area of the

sole (15° for the Comfort Step and 20° for

the Balance Step), combined with a centre

rocker bar induce a correct and entirely na-

tural biomechanical gait from the very first

step. The separate motions within the gait

become noticeable without being uncom-

fortable. The wearer of the AuBioMo® shoes

benefits from a lasting consciousness of

the way he or she walks and improved pos-

ture. The name given to the shoe’s ability

to prevent poor posture and bad walking

habits is the AuBioMo® Memory Effect. The

AuBioMo® Memory Effect has farreaching

positive implications for physical wellbeing

and thus for health in general.