Professional footballer uses Novabow

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER USES NOVABOW WITH AMAZING RESULTS

23 September 2023

Recently a professional footballer trialed the Novabow System with "amazing" results. 

Here is what Charlie said after using the Novabow ;

"My name is Charlie Fox and I am a professional footballer currently playing in the Scottish Championship. I have always struggled with foot and ankle pain as a result of the demands of the sport (and my size). I never used to condition these areas, I had always thought calf-raises and SL balance work would be enough. After suffering a stress-fracture in my navicular last season, Gerry gave me a Novabow device to try. The difference has amazed me. My feet feel so much stronger and more robust. The chronic pain in my ankles and calf muscles has now subsided. It’s difficult to say empirically whether my agility has changed, but I definitely feel more confident and explosive on the turn. I have noticed my cutting manoeuvres are pain free and am able to put more force through the ball of my foot and toes. Since using the device, I have achieved a record counter-movement jump score, as well as almost doubling my accelerations and decelerations in 90 minute games.

The Novabow has really helped me. 

Regards

Charlie Fox "

Foot Strengthening can help reduce Pain from Flexible Flat Feet.

If you are reading this article you probably already know a good bit about flat feet and what a nuisance pain from the condition can be. You may also be aware that the condition can cause pain not only in the foot but also in the knee and lower back . The condition affects more than 30% of the population, from the young to older adults and can have multiple interacting causes.

The condition often features collapsing of the arches of the feet during gait causing them to roll inwards and this can lead to a high degree of pronation. This in turn can lead to abnormal stresses being placed in the knee and lower back giving pain in these areas.

So what can we do about symptomatic flat feet? Orthotics can help but there in now really no doubt that foot strengthening exercises can also reduce pain and improve function. The most commonly used exercise is the short foot exercise( SFE).

A very recent research paper, (1) Yang et al 2026, looked closely at the problems flexible flat feet can bring, for example pain and reduced function, and the benefits that the short foot exercise can have for people with the condition. The paper states -"By strengthening foot support structures, SFE reduces excessive plantar fascia tension, relieving pain and enhancing walking ability.

Many other research papers have looked at pain from flexible flat feet and come to the same conclusion, indeed ,the short foot exercise has even been demonstrated to improved balance in older flat footed individuals.

More about the short foot exercise

Ok, so what exactly is the short foot exercise, what does it do and how do you learn to do it ? Quite simply it usually described as contracting the intrinsic foot muscles so that the ball of the foot is pulled towards the heel ( see images below ). The toes can flex around the toe knuckle joint (MTPJs) but must themselves remain straight and not curl up in a grasping action.

The exercise is alternatively known as foot doming. The figure on the left shows a relaxed foot and the figure on the right a domed foot were the arch and ball of the foot are lifted upwards . Resistance to muscle contraction is provided by body weight acting through the tibia (in green ) onto the bony arch of the foot tending to flatten it.

As people get better at the exercise and their muscles stronger, they can progress to putting more weight down onto the arch through the tibia by standing and then standing on one leg.

Short foot exercise (SFE) training approaches. Perform active plantar muscle contraction to draw the metatarsal toward the calcaneus, lift the foot arch, inducing the “short foot” effect. ①: Tibia, ②: Talus, ③: Navicular, ④: Medial Cuneiform, ⑤: Metatarsal, and ⑥: Calcaneus.

( From Yang et al 2026)

Learning the short foot exercise

Learning the short foot exercise can be difficult because of the number of muscles involved most of which we rarely if ever focus on. However, in the opinion of this author, the exercise can be quickly learned by dividing it into 2 actions then combining them. I have found that people quickly pick up the exercise this way. Sounds complicated but have a look at this explanatory video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FsDQ7Ethko

A better way of strengthening the foot.

The Novabow System is designed to produce an exercise very similar to the short foot/doming exercise but places the toes, and hence the intrinsic foot muscles, in more extended positions, which can improve muscle activation during exercise.

The Novabow is used seated and so resistance to muscle contraction is not produced by bodyweight acting on the upper surface of the bony arch but rather by elasticated bands placed across the top of the foot. When you use the Novabow you can actually feel the muscles in the soles of your feet fatiguing. Where you place the bands on the foot affects which muscles you primarily target.

Using the novabow to strengthen the intrinsic foot muscles

Benefits of Using the Novabow for Flexible Flat Feet

Enhanced Muscle Strength

One of the main advantages of the Novabow is that it strengthens the intrinsic muscles in your feet. As these muscles grow stronger they become better equipped to support the arch, leading to improved foot mechanics and reduced foot pain.

Increased Flexibility

The Novabow System offers 2 exercises in one device. As well as strengthening the foot, the Novabow also allows the foot to be stretched to improve foot flexibility . Flexibility is vital for preventing injuries and ensuring fluid movement. The Novabow's flexibility component helps enhance joint mobility in the foot which can give in a greater range of movement.

Reduce pain from flat feet

For those suffering from flat feet, foot strengthening can significantly alleviate pain. Regular use of the Novabow has been demonstrated to give significant gains in foot strength, a key component of any pain reducing treatment plan.

Improved Balance and Stability

A solid foundation aids in balance and stability. As you engage in foot exercises you increase your awareness of body position. This enhanced proprioception contributes to better balance and reduces the risk of falling and injuring yourself.

Convenience and Accessibility

You can use the Novabow at home, in the office ,or even whilst travelling .This makes it easier to incorporate foot strengthening into your weekly routine. 10 minutes 3 times a week is all the time that is required.

Incorporating the Novabow into Your Routine

Start Gradually

If you're new to the Novabow and foot exercises, ease into it. Begin with shorter sessions to master the movements before gradually increasing intensity and duration.

Consistency is Key

Like any exercise program, consistency is vital when using the Novabow. Aim to include the device in your routine several times a week. Over time, you will likely notice enhanced strength and, through that strength gain, reduced pain.

Combine with Other Foot Care Practices

While the Novabow is effective, incorporate other foot care practices for optimal health. Consulting a healthcare professional can further improve your foot wellbeing since orthotics, combined with strengthening exercises, are known to work well for pain from flat feet.

Moving Forward with the Novabow

Strengthening foot muscles through innovative tools like the Novabow offers hope for those coping with flat feet. By engaging in targeted exercises, you can boost muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, leading to a more comfortable lifestyle.

The Novabow can be purchased via our website .

Visit our website at Home | Novabow Foot Strengthening Device | Novabow

References

(1) Yang H, Liu C, Yao K, Yang J, Wang Y, Sun C, Li P, Dong H. Short foot exercises for flatfoot therapy: Status and prospects. Sci Prog. 2026 Jan-Mar;109(1):368504251410796. doi: 10.1177/00368504251410796. Epub 2026 Jan 5. PMID: 41490170; PMCID: PMC12775274.

Novabow™ helps a fitness instructor with long term plantar fasciitis become pain free in just 48 hours.

Recently, we were approached by Alan, an experienced physical fitness trainer with over 22 years’ experience. He was suffering from a condition known as plantar fasciitis and it had gotten so bad that at times he walked with a limp.

We gave him a Novabow™ system to try and astonishingly all pain had resolved inside just 48 hours. And it has not returned.

Here is what Alan had to say about his experience:

"My name is Alan Johnstone, and I am a qualified fitness instructor with 22 years’ experience.

About 6 months ago I developed heel pain in one of my feet which got so bad that I could hardly walk.

The pain was diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, a condition which I was aware of, and I tried many of the techniques which are meant to help this condition, but nothing worked.

My job in the gym involves a lot of standing and I was really struggling so when I heard about the Novabow system I had a chat with Gerry and he gave me one to take home and try.

Incredibly, within 2 days, I went from shooting, stabbing pain to no heel pain at all!

I can only think that it was the deep stretch that I got from using the Novabow that worked for me since 2 days is not really enough time for the strengthening aspect to kick in.

I went from hobbling around on “one and a half feet” to jogging and five aside football in less than a week.

I couldn’t believe it.

I will continue to use the Novabow and the strengthening aspect should help fix any strength imbalances that the plantar fasciitis might have caused in my feet over the six months I suffered from it.    

    Alan Johnstone "

Further details

Heel pain  can have a number of different causes and up to 20% of cases diagnosed as plantar fasciitis may actually be due to Baxter's nerve impingement.

However, in Alan's case, the diagnosis was made by an experienced medical practitioner and the pain was much worse with the 1st few steps in the morning, something that would lead towards a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.

Alan did try a number of remedies for his debilitating heel pain before trying the novabow. Over a period of 6 months he used exercises, supportive shoes and he even tried a cortisone injection prescribed and injected by his GP. This worked for only a day or so before the pain returned.

So how does then Novabow stretch work? Well, stretching the ball of the foot probably then allowed proper movement of the metatarsal heads relative to each other during gait/walking reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of  heel pain and involves inflammation of the plantar fascia where it attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus).

Inflammation can be caused by a number of factors including increased physical activity, sudden weight gain, and footwear changes.

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Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis

In the case discussed above, Alan was given a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis by a GP, but it should be recognized that other conditions can cause heel pain such as nerve compression or a fractured heel bone, so it is always a good idea to have the pain checked out by a suitably qualified professional.

Treating plantar fasciitis

Treating plantar fasciitis can be tricky and may involve rest, activity modification, orthotics and even shockwave therapy. However, although many cases resolve within a few weeks to six months, many people are still suffering years later. Alan’s case is remarkable in that it had lasted six months and was getting worse but was resolved completely after just 48 hours using the Novabow™  

 Using physical therapy to treat plantar fasciitis

Physical therapy has long been used to treat heel pain and can involve foot and calf stretching and foot strengthening, especially strengthening of the intrinsic foot muscles.

The plantar fascia stretch is often effective at reducing pain but can be difficult to perform especially for older people. The Novabow™ makes stretching easy and it was this that Alan felt fixed his debilitating foot pain in just a couple of days.

Plantar fascia stretch ;can be difficult and uncomfortable to do and is not always effective.

Plantar fasciitis is often associated with loss of intrinsic muscle strength and many believe that foot strengthening can help with prehab and rehab in plantar fasciitis cases.

The intrinsic foot muscles are crucial for foot function and help support the foot arch, assists balance and add to propulsion during running/walking . The Novabow is a superb and proven foot strengthening tool .

We believe that Novabow™  system can be of great benefit in delivering physiotherapy to people suffering from plantar fasciitis and it is so easy to use you can do a foot workout whilst watching the television.   

novabow plantar fascia and foot stretch

Above ; the easy to perform Novabow stretch that seems to have made such a dramatic difference to Alan's foot pain. From severe pain lasting 6 months to no pain in just 48 hours.

Read about how you can get your Novabow™ system at novabowsystem.com