What insoles/inserts help with numbness in feet?

Posted by domiha @domiha, Nov 20 8:46am

I came across some insoles (called thinsoles) by a company called Project Biotech. I have been using these for about a year, now, and they are great for the numbness in my feet. I'm one of those who, so far, doesn't have a lot of pain with my radiculopathy/neuropathy in my feet. My main symptoms are numbness and tingling... and some balance issues that I believe to be related. These thinsoles, as the name implies, don't add a lot of volume to my shoes.... but the surface of these silicone inserts gives a certain sensation on the bottoms of my feet that seems to help with the numbness. I'm not here to sell these to anyone.... I have no interest in this company at all.... but these inserts have truly helped me "feel the ground" better... and I'm wondering if anyone else here has tried them. And if so, what do YOU think of them? Soft, cushy inserts seem to increase my balance issues. These inserts don't do that. They simply seem to "wake up" a bit of the numbness in the pads of my feet. If sharing this info is not appropriate for the group, I hope one of the admins will delete this post. But IF you have used these inserts from projectbiotech.co I'd love to hear your thoughts. Or if you have found OTHER inserts to be especially helpful, I'd LOVE to know the name. My podiatrist recommended Stride Rite ... and I have those... but they seem to be too stiff/hard. I also have some $200 inserts that were especially molded to my feet, but those don't offer much help to me at all. Best wishes! Mike

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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Nov 20 9:41am

Hi, Mike (@domiha)

I've been wearing Noboso insoles. What you described sounds very much like the Noboso insoles: soft, thin, adding just enough stimulation to make a small improvement in how your feet feel the ground. Those two qualities –– soft, and thin –– were very important to me because it's critical that I wear orthotics; there's only so much room inside of a shoe, so it was important that whatever I added not give me the feeling that I'd overstuffed my shoes.

I should say, too, that I have no vested interest in the company that makes my Noboso insoles.

Enjoy your day, Mike!
Ray (@ray666)

jpeter | @jpeter | Nov 21 10:58am

I found that shearling lamb insoles without wearing stockings make my feet feel more comfortable. I had to buy shoes a size or more larger to accommodate the insoles. I also wear slippers lined with shearling lamb. L. L. Bean has some good ones for about $90. Amazon has many shearling insoles; some are better than others but they are generally fairly inexpensive

dieterreuther | @dieterreuther | Nov 22 6:58am

In reply to @ray666 "Hi, Mike (@domiha) I've been wearing Noboso insoles. What you described sounds very much like the..." + (show)

The Naboso insoles also do wonders for me. I am lucky that I can still run and I even ran the Chicago Marathon with the Activation insoles in my running shoes. The Activation insoles are a slightly softer than the Neuro insoles.

bobweller | @bobweller | Nov 22 11:00am

Good brand of memory form shoes with good brand of memory foam inserts. I found by taking out the original shoe pads and putting a thin extra memory foam insert in then put the original insert back in. Plus I have 3 to 5 pairs of these memory foam shoes that I rotate every day or two. It helps to change how my feet feel in different shoes each day.

rpyorkies | @rpyorkies | Nov 22 12:02pm

Do they help with pain as well?

domiha | @domiha | Nov 22 12:21pm

In reply to @rpyorkies "Do they help with pain as well?" + (show)

I'm one of those fortunate few who does not have pain (YET). I only have numbness and tingling. I looked at the Naboso, and they do look similar, though not exactly the same, as these ProjectBiotech insoles. The biggest difference is the price.... the ones I buy are $18/pair.
So sorry I can't tell you if they would help with the pain. Perhaps someone who DOES experience painful neuropathy and who has tried either these or the Nabosos could answer that question for you. Best wishes! Mike

domiha | @domiha | Nov 22 12:23pm

In reply to @dieterreuther "The Naboso insoles also do wonders for me. I am lucky that I can still run..." + (show)

The Nabosos do look similar, though not the same. Glad they allow you to still run... and BRAVO on that Marathon!!! Unfortunately, because of my knees, I cannot run. 🙁 The insoles I order are only $18/pair with free shipping, so less expenive than Nobosos.... but I have not tried the Nabosos. Best wishes! Mike

rpyorkies | @rpyorkies | Nov 22 12:58pm

In reply to @domiha "I'm one of those fortunate few who does not have pain (YET). I only have numbness..." + (show)

Thank you!

Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Nov 22 1:40pm

In reply to @dieterreuther "The Naboso insoles also do wonders for me. I am lucky that I can still run..." + (show)

Congratulations, Deiter, on running the Chicago Marathon! That's one darn impressive achievement. If you've read any of my other posts, you may know that I was a long-distance runner most of my life, until a knee replacement a dozen or so years ago made running impossible. Then, idiopathic neuropathy. Then, a sepsis infection. I still miss the miles, though. Those long-distance runs made for some of the happiest hours of my life. Stay well, Deiter. Keep on running! –Ray (@ray666)