I sustained a nasty knee injury two years ago and have been in physical therapy trying to recover since. My physical therapist recommended Sketcher Shape Ups to me about 6 months ago telling me they'd would force me to walk properly with my foot thus relieving a lot of my pain and heel pain on my weight bareing foot. I was skeptical and did it to tease her about her proclaimed "miracle shoe" (her words)....well i had to eat my skepticism because they worked....instantly! After two weeks of only weaering these my heel stopped hurting and a lot of my pain from my knee was relieved. I've been wearing only Sketcher Shape Ups shoes and sandals for six months and i cna now go on 3 mile walks, something i never thought i'd be able to do again! I have gotten several of my friends and family hooked on them too and they can atest to the "toning" factors of the shoes much more than i can. All i know is i love these shoes and they are WELL worth the $