Tingling, Burning & Numbness in the Feet

Author: K. Zbinden

Definition

What is a paresthesia?

Paresthesias refer to abnormal or altered sensations that can present as burning, tingling, pins and needles, prickling sensations, or a furry/cottony feeling. Paresthesias often occur in the lower extremities. They can occur on one side or on both sides. From a medical perspective, paresthesias are sensory disturbances and are among the most common abnormal sensations in the feet. They usually arise due to irritation, compression, or dysfunction of nerves and are therefore often associated with terms such as tingling paresthesias or sensory disturbances. Depending on severity, these symptoms may be temporary or chronic and can significantly impair daily life.

Causes of tingling feet

Tingling, burning, or numbness in the foot often results from disturbances in nerve conduction or blood circulation. Typical causes include nerve damage, diabetes, vitamin deficiency—especially vitamin B12 deficiency—and pressure on nerves due to foot misalignments such as splayfoot or fallen arches. Fascial dysfunctions or joint stiffness can also impair the natural load intensity and mobility of the feet, irritating nerves and blood vessels.

Another important factor is lack of movement: a predominantly sedentary lifestyle and weakened foot and leg muscles reduce circulation and stability, which can promote sensory disturbances in the foot such as tingling, burning soles of the feet, or numbness in the toes.

The biomechanics of the feet also play a role. Hard, flat floors and rigid, supportive shoes prevent a natural rolling motion, increase localized loads, and in the long term lead to misalignments—placing additional strain on nerves and blood vessels.

In many cases, paresthesias arise from an interaction of several factors—from nerve damage and metabolic issues to muscular weakness and biomechanical overload. Early recognition and targeted countermeasures can prevent the development or worsening of symptoms.

Symptoms of paresthesias

Paresthesias in the feet manifest as various abnormal sensations that can vary depending on the cause, duration, and severity. The following points provide an overview of the most common symptoms. However, the list is not complete or exhaustive. Atypical symptoms are also possible and are not listed here. The intensity of symptoms can vary greatly: some people feel the abnormal sensations only occasionally, others continuously. One-sided or two-sided occurrence is also possible. To clarify the cause precisely and take appropriate measures, a medical examination is recommended.

• ◉ Tingling in the foot: Typical, often persistent tingling that is noticeable in the forefoot, the sole of the foot, or the entire foot.
• ◉ “Electric” feet: General feeling of electrical impulses or slight vibration.
• ◉ Pins and needles: Fine tingling in the feet that usually starts in the forefoot or toe area and feels like “pins and needles.”
• ◉ Numbness in the foot: Sensory disturbances in the foot or an “asleep” sensation in the sole of the foot.
• ◉ Numbness in the leg: Radiating numbness or tingling extending beyond the ankle.
• ◉ Painful feet: With paresthesias, feet often hurt due to irritated nerves combined with muscular overload or altered circulation and are often perceived as burning or diffuse.
• ◉ One-sided tingling in the leg: Often with one-sided nerve compression or circulatory disturbance.
• ◉ Tingling legs: Extensive abnormal sensation, often worse at rest or at night.
• ◉ Burning feet and burning soles: Sensation of heat or burning, often after exertion or prolonged standing.
• ◉ Tickling of the soles: Mild, irritating sensation upon touch or pressure.
• ◉ Sensory disturbances: General hypersensitivity or reduced sensitivity, e.g., pain sensitivity or phases of numbness.
• ◉ Abnormal sensations: Combination of tingling, numbness, burning, or unpleasant pulling sensations.
• ◉ Altered walking or gait pattern: Affected individuals avoid weight-bearing through protective postures, which can change gait and lead to further complaints.
• ◉ Sensitivity to cold or heat in the feet: Feet react overly sensitively to temperature stimuli, often due to nerve damage.
• ◉ Stiffness in toes or foot joints: Feeling of restricted mobility, especially after resting phases.
• ◉ Trembling or fine muscle twitches in the feet: May occur as an accompanying neurological symptom, especially with nerve irritation or deficiency states.

Conventional therapies - What helps with tingling feet

Tingling, burning, or numbness in the feet can be triggered by various causes such as nerve damage, circulatory disorders, or foot misalignments. There are different conventional therapies to relieve paresthesias. The measures can be combined and should ideally be coordinated with a physician.

• ◉ Shoe insoles (e.g., with metatarsal pad or pressure cushioning): Specifically relieve the soles of the feet, improve pressure distribution, and reduce tingling in the foot or numbness under the sole.
• ◉ Physiotherapy: Strengthening of foot and leg muscles, stretching of shortened structures, and gait training to reduce tingling feet or burning soles.
• ◉ Padding (gel cushions, soft inserts): Relieve acute complaints through shock absorption.
• ◉ Cold therapy: Reduces acute irritation and swelling. Can provide short-term relief for tingling soles or pins and needles.
• ◉ Anti-inflammatory medication: Relieves nerve pain, burning in the feet, and numbness in the foot in inflammation-related paresthesias.
• ◉ Weight reduction (if overweight): Reduces the mechanical load on the feet and can positively affect, among other things, numbness in the foot.
• ◉ Activity modification: Temporary avoidance of strenuous activities such as prolonged walking on hard floors or intense standing to avoid overload and tingling in the leg.
• ◉ Manual therapy / mobilization: Improves mobility of foot and ankle joints, optimizes circulation, and relieves irritated nerves.
• ◉ Taping / kinesiology tape: Supports foot alignment and can provide short-term relief for tingling legs or tingling in the foot.
• ◉ Barefoot training: Promotes the natural foot musculature, improves stability, and protects against foot misalignments that can encourage sensory disturbances such as tickling soles.
• ◉ Foot exercises: Regular strengthening exercises build foot muscles and help prevent foot misalignment.
• ◉ Electrotherapy / ultrasound: Supports circulation, relieves burning feet, and can reduce pins-and-needles sensations.
• ◉ Shockwave therapy: Used for chronic complaints such as persistent tingling in the sole or nerve irritation.
• ◉ Cortisone injections: For severe inflammation or nerve irritation, e.g., Morton’s neuroma.
• ◉ Orthopedic adjustments: Correction of foot misalignments (e.g., splayfoot) to reduce pressure points and improper loading.
• ◉ Surgical procedures: Foot-preserving operations may be necessary for structural problems when conservative therapies are insufficient.

kybun mode of action - What helps with tingling feet

kybun products were specially developed to reduce the health-damaging consequences of hard, flat floors, rigid shoes, and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. Thanks to their elastic, springy properties, the feet are relieved on the one hand and actively stimulated on the other. This combination ensures that acute complaints such as tingling in the foot, burning soles, numbness under the sole, or pins-and-needles sensations are alleviated, while the causes of paresthesias are addressed in the long term. Over time, kybun supports improvements in foot musculature, foot alignment, and circulation, thereby promoting overall foot health sustainably.

• ◉ Optimized pressure distribution

  Many people with tingling in the foot or burning soles report localized pressure points and overload in the foot, especially when standing and walking on hard surfaces or in shoes with stiff soles. The elastic-springy material of kybun shoes allows the sole to sink in gently and distributes weight evenly across the entire foot. This reduces localized pressure points and thus noticeably alleviates tingling, burning soles, or numbness. Even pressure distribution protects sensitive nerve endings and metatarsal heads under the sole. Many affected individuals report a noticeable reduction in pins-and-needles sensations and tingling legs after a short time because peak pressure points are minimized.
  In addition, the elastic-springy material supports the longitudinal and transverse arches by enclosing the free spaces of the arches with the kybun sole. This helps maintain the natural position of the arches and protects the foot from improper and excessive loading. This is particularly important because misloading often leads to numbness under the sole or tingling paresthesias. Even pressure distribution also relieves surrounding joints and connective tissue structures, reducing acute overirritation.

• ◉ Activation of the foot muscles

  The elastic-springy sole creates a targeted, subtle instability when walking and standing. This unconsciously prompts the body to perform continuous compensatory movements. As a result, the deep foot and leg muscles—responsible for stabilizing the transverse and longitudinal arches—are activated in particular. Strong musculature reduces tingling and burning feet because the load is distributed more evenly across the entire sole and nerves are less irritated at specific points. Furthermore, a functionally active transverse and longitudinal arch makes use of the foot’s natural shock absorption, which can reduce stress on sensitive structures. At the same time, activating the foot muscles prevents the forefoot from collapsing uncontrollably after heel strike, protecting nerve endings and metatarsal heads that often contribute to tingling, burning, or numb feet. Increased muscle activity also contributes to better posture and a healthier gait pattern, which can likewise reduce improper and excessive loading.

Balance and EMG

Balance ability was measured using a force plate by tracking the movement of the body’s center of mass from front to back (ant-post) and side to side (med-lat) while standing. In parallel, electromyography (EMG) recorded muscular activity.

• ◉ Natural foot roll

  A physiological rolling motion—from heel through midfoot to the big toe joint—distributes load evenly across all foot structures. This reduces localized overloads that often cause tingling in the sole, numbness in the foot, or burning soles.
  
  kybun shoes support this rolling motion through gently rounded soles and elastic-springy material. On heel strike, the heel sinks in slowly, the load increases gradually, and the foot muscles can activate in time. This helps protect, among other things, the natural fat pad under the forefoot and prevents nerve endings from being subjected to improper or excessive loading. At the same time, the rolling motion becomes more harmonious, which can reduce tingling legs and pins-and-needles sensations.

• ◉ Reducing the impact of hard floors

  During heel strike in kybun shoes, the ground reaction force is gently distributed and transmitted to the body with a delay thanks to the elastic-springy properties. This cushioning reduces peak localized loads that would otherwise act directly on nerves and foot structures and could promote tingling in the foot and burning feet.
  The delayed force transmission allows early muscle activation, especially of those muscles that stabilize the transverse and longitudinal arches. This prevents improper and excessive loading of nerve endings. At the same time, kinetic energy is briefly stored during the roll-off and used for active forward movement, supporting a gentle and physiological roll.

• ◉ Protection against fascial dysfunction

  The fascia in the foot can become stuck together or tense due to lack of movement or hard floors, which can compress nerves and blood vessels. This can trigger tingling paresthesias, numbness under the sole, and burning soles. With the elastic-springy sole, gentle cushioning is generated with every step, enabling a natural rolling motion and protecting the fascia from adhesions and tension.
  

• ◉ Improved circulation

  Dynamic walking in kybun shoes continuously activates the musculature and thus increases blood circulation. Improved circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues, enhances the removal of metabolic by-products, and reduces burning feet, tingling in the foot, and numbness in the leg.
  Well-perfused tissue is more resilient, less sensitive to irritation, and better able to regenerate. The combination of relief, activation, and gentle rolling motion therefore also has a preventive effect against chronic paresthesias.
  

• ◉ Encouraging movement and reducing sitting time

  kybun products make movement more comfortable because the elastic-springy material relieves the feet. Regular wear strengthens foot and leg muscles, improves fascial elasticity, and increases circulation. Sitting less and walking more thus directly counteracts the well-known symptoms of paresthesias.
  In addition, increased movement frequency improves overall coordination, reduces poor posture, and strengthens stabilizing muscles—helping to sustainably reduce tingling paresthesias, pins and needles, and numbness under the sole.

Usage tips for tingling feet

Before wearing kybun shoes for the first time, you should observe a few usage tips. Correct use of the shoes can help reduce tingling in the foot, pins-and-needles sensations, burning soles, or numbness. Treating paresthesias in the feet requires patience, as nerves, musculature, and circulation must gradually adapt to the changed loading stimuli. In addition to wearing kybun products, we recommend performing supplementary exercises, which are explained in the next section.

• ◉ With kybun shoes, make sure the upper fits well. Compression of the foot by a shoe that is too tight (sometimes also socks) can promote tingling, burning, or numb feet. Especially in kybun shoes, your feet need enough space because increased muscle activity promotes local circulation and can increase foot volume.
  
• ◉ At the beginning, wear kybun shoes only as long as your body allows. Take regular breaks, especially if tingling in the foot, burning soles, or fatigue of the foot and leg muscles increases. Due to the activating properties of the elastic-springy sole, the muscles are used more, which can trigger so-called initial reactions, especially at the beginning. These are usually temporary and a sign that the musculature and nervous system are being activated.
  
• ◉ Press the heel slowly and in a controlled manner into the elastic-springy material of kybun shoes. Consciously feel how the heel sinks in and how the foot and leg muscles tense. A controlled heel strike prevents uncontrolled collapsing of the midfoot and forefoot, protecting sensitive nerve endings in the forefoot area. This is particularly important because abrupt peak loads can intensify paresthesia symptoms.
  
• ◉ Especially at the beginning, make sure the midfoot and forefoot are placed down slowly and in a controlled manner. Avoid a rushed or forceful roll-over across the forefoot. Gentle placement reduces pressure peaks that could otherwise irritate nerves and intensify tingling feet. This mindful movement supports even pressure distribution and relieves sensitive areas of the foot.
  
• ◉ At first, take small, controlled steps to get used to walking in kybun shoes. This reduced stride length makes it easier for the nervous system to adapt to the new movement stimuli and promotes a safe, stable rolling motion. As you become accustomed, you can slowly increase stride length and walking distance, provided this is possible without an increase in tingling in the foot, burning, or numbness.
  
• ◉ Try to roll off in a controlled manner over the big toe joint. This physiological roll pattern promotes even loading of the foot, activates foot muscles, and supports natural circulation. Improved circulation can help reduce paresthesias in the feet.
  
• ◉ Avoid prolonged static standing or sitting phases, especially at the start. Alternate regularly between walking, standing, and short breaks. Dynamic movement promotes circulation, supports the removal of metabolic by-products, and can noticeably relieve tingling feet.
  
• ◉ The effectiveness of kybun shoes can be further increased through targeted exercises for the feet and lower legs. These exercises are intended to activate foot muscles, improve mobility, and promote circulation. They are designed as a complementary therapy for tingling feet and should be part of a holistic treatment approach for paresthesias.

Tingling in the kybun shoe

Some people report that burning, tingling, or numb feet occur especially when wearing kybun shoes, while these symptoms are less pronounced in conventional shoes or when barefoot. In most cases, this phenomenon is not a negative sign, but an expression of physiological adaptation processes in the foot. kybun shoes significantly change loading, movement, and muscle activity in the foot—and these changes can reveal existing functional weaknesses or bottlenecks. Below, the most common mechanisms are explained and concrete solutions are provided for each.

Additional muscle activation and increased circulation

The elastic-springy sole of kybun shoes activates the foot and leg muscles much more strongly than conventional rigid shoes. This increased muscle activity boosts circulation in the foot. However, if blood vessels are not able to transport the increased amount of blood efficiently due to lack of movement, vascular narrowing, or functional limitations, paresthesias can occur. Typical symptoms are tingling, burning, or pins and needles in the feet.

Solution:

• ◉ Increase wearing time slowly
• ◉ Regular movement breaks
• ◉ Patience – the body adapts

Compression from the upper when circulation is activated

Due to additional muscle activation in kybun shoes, circulation in the feet improves. This can cause the foot to swell slightly—a completely normal physiological effect. However, if there is too little space in the shoe, nerves and blood vessels can become compressed. This often manifests as burning soles, tingling, or numbness in the foot. A helpful comparison test is walking on the kybun mat: if the symptoms do not occur there, the cause is very likely not the activation itself, but constriction from the upper.

Solution:

• ◉ Loosen or adjust lacing
• ◉ Choose models with more volume or greater width
• ◉ If needed, switch to a half or full size larger

The foot should have enough room to expand freely under load.

Weak foot musculature and overload

Many people have undertrained foot muscles because a sedentary lifestyle and conventional shoes greatly reduce the natural work performed by the feet. kybun shoes actively demand this musculature again. If the musculature is not yet resilient enough, it may respond to the unfamiliar strain with burning, tingling, or numb feet—similar to muscle fatigue after unaccustomed training.

Solution:

• ◉ Active muscle training for the feet and lower legs
• ◉ Adapt wearing time to your personal fitness level
• ◉ Regular, but well-dosed loading instead of overexertion

As musculature strengthens, these symptoms usually decrease significantly.

Shortened or stuck structures

The active rolling motion in kybun shoes leads, among other things, to stretching of the plantar fascia as well as other muscular and fascial structures in the foot. If these structures are shortened, tense, or adhered, the improved movement sequence can temporarily lead to paresthesias. The nervous system reacts sensitively to these new stretching stimuli.

Solution:

• ◉ Regular stretching of the foot and calf muscles
• ◉ Use of fascia rollers or massage balls
• ◉ At first, smaller range of motion and shorter walking distances

As the elasticity of the structures increases, the nervous system’s response normalizes.

Changed gait due to the elastic-springy sole

The elastic-springy sole of kybun shoes leads to a more natural, more dynamic gait with more movement in the foot, ankle, and knee joints. This changed movement sequence differs significantly from the often long-practiced, rather rigid gait pattern in conventional shoes. If the body—due to restrictions, muscular deficits, limited mobility, or old compensatory gait patterns—is not yet able to process this additional movement efficiently, the nervous system may respond with paresthesias.

Solution:
To give the body time to adapt, a holistic approach is recommended:

• ◉ regular stretching of the foot, calf, and leg muscles
• ◉ Fascia rolling to release adhesions and tension
• ◉ targeted active muscle training, especially for the foot and lower-leg muscles
• ◉ a reduced range of motion at the beginning
• ◉ a gradual adjustment of wearing time to your personal fitness level

Material fatigue of the kybun sole

If paresthesias do not occur at the beginning but only after wearing the shoes for a longer period, material fatigue of the elastic-springy sole may be the cause. If the material loses its original elasticity, cushioning, activation, and pressure distribution change—which can irritate nerves and vessels.

Solution:

• ◉ Consultation at a kybun specialist store
• ◉ Checking the sole for elasticity
• ◉ If necessary, switching to new kybun shoes

Helpful exercises for tingling feet

To increase the effectiveness of kybun shoes and raise the likelihood that tingling, burning, or numbness in the feet will decrease, we recommend the following exercises. The selection of exercises is not exhaustive and can be supplemented with additional exercises. As a general rule: symptoms should not worsen during the exercises. Mild, soothing, and releasing “pain” is normal and desired.

The exercises are divided into the following areas: “Correct walking in kybun shoes,” “muscle length training,” “fascia rolling,” and “strengthening.” Ideally, the areas are combined to support the treatment of paresthesias.

Correct walking in kybun shoes
The quality of each step is crucial to reduce overload, tingling, or burning and to activate the foot muscles in a targeted manner.

Controlled heel strike

• ◉ Press the heel slowly and in a controlled manner into the elastic-springy material to build pre-tension in the foot and calf muscles.
• ◉ Place the midfoot and forefoot down slowly and in a controlled manner so the forefoot is loaded physiologically.
• ◉ At first, take rather small steps so you don’t have to roll too strongly over the forefoot.

Controlled roll-off

• ◉ Perform a gentle roll-off in the forefoot without actively pushing off forcefully through the forefoot. An active roll-off increases pressure on the forefoot and additionally loads the sensitive metatarsal heads.
• ◉ Test the possible range of motion during forefoot roll-off without causing or increasing pain in the ball of the foot.
• ◉ If possible, increase the range of motion and transition into an active roll-off.

Muscle length training
Shortened or tense structures can intensify paresthesias. Targeted muscle length training stretches the foot and leg muscles and helps prevent overload.

Sole of the foot

• ◉ Hold the foot with both hands.
• ◉ Actively pull the forefoot toward the shin to create a stretch in the sole.
• ◉ Hold the exercise 3 × 30 seconds.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.

Calf muscles

• ◉ Starting position in a lunge.
• ◉ The rear heel remains in contact with the ground and should not be lifted.
• ◉ Slowly bend the front knee forward until you feel a pull in the calf.
• ◉ 3 × 30 seconds per side.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.

Fascia rolling
Fascial adhesions can intensify tingling or burning. Regular rolling releases tension, improves mobility, and reduces pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

Sole of the foot

• ◉ Actively roll the sole with a fascia roller or ball from the heel to just before the metatarsal heads. Deliberately omit the ball of the foot if pain is severe.
• ◉ Perform the exercise slowly and in a controlled manner.
• ◉ Adjust pressure to personal comfort, but go up to a tolerable pain threshold.
• ◉ Roll out localized adhesions more intensively or hold the position at that point.
• ◉ 3 minutes per foot.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.

Calf muscles

• ◉ One leg bent and the other leg placed on the fascia roller. Increase pressure by placing both legs on the roller. Further increase by stacking the legs.
• ◉ If wrist pain occurs, the exercise can also be performed on the forearms.
• ◉ Actively roll the calf from just above the heel to just below the hollow of the knee.
• ◉ Perform the exercise slowly and in a controlled manner.
• ◉ Adjust pressure to personal comfort, but go up to a tolerable pain threshold.
• ◉ Roll out localized adhesions more intensively or hold the position at that point.
• ◉ At least 3 minutes per foot.
• ◉ Perform 1–2× daily.

Strengthening

Strong foot and lower-leg muscles relieve nerves, reduce tingling, burning, and numbness in the foot, and stabilize the foot arch.

Foot muscles – transverse arch

• ◉ Lay a towel or similar item flat on the floor.
• ◉ Place the foot at the start of the towel.
• ◉ Grip the towel with your toes and pull it toward the foot by flexing the toes.
• ◉ 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions per foot.
• ◉ Perform 2–3× per week.

Big toe lift and toe lift

• ◉ Place feet hip-width apart on the floor.
• ◉ Big toe lift: Actively lift the big toe and slowly place it down again. All toes except the big toe remain on the floor. Do not lift the inner edge of the foot.
• ◉ Toe lift: Only the big toe stays on the floor. All other toes are actively lifted and slowly placed down again. Do not lift the outer edge of the foot.
• ◉ It is important that the balls of the feet and the heels do not lose contact with the floor.
• ◉ To simplify, the exercise can be performed alternately with only one foot.
• ◉ 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions per foot.
• ◉ Perform 2–3× per week.