Polyneuropathy

Definition

What is polyneuropathy?

Polyneuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system in which multiple nerves are affected simultaneously. These nerves lie outside the brain and spinal cord and are responsible for controlling movement, transmitting sensory impressions, and certain automatic bodily functions.

In polyneuropathy there are structural or functional changes to these nerves, which can impair signal transmission between the body and the nervous system. The condition can affect sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves — often in combination (e.g., sensorimotor polyneuropathy). It usually manifests symmetrically, meaning on both sides of the body at the same time, and typically affects the areas farthest from the body’s center first, such as the feet or hands.

In most cases polyneuropathy is not curable, but its symptoms can often be alleviated and the progression of the disease slowed or halted. Polyneuropathy generally does not affect life expectancy. However, the underlying disease that leads to polyneuropathy may influence life expectancy. More on the causes of polyneuropathy in the following section.

Causes of polyneuropathy

Damage to multiple peripheral nerves can have a variety of triggers. A metabolic cause is often underlying, particularly diabetes mellitus, where elevated blood sugar levels damage nerve structure over the long term. Chronic alcohol abuse can also lead to nerve damage due to the toxic effects of alcohol and resulting deficiencies of important vitamins and trace elements.

Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, especially a deficit of vitamin B1, B6, B12 or folic acid, impair nerve function and regeneration. Toxins such as heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury, arsenic) or organic solvents can have a direct neurotoxic effect. In addition, medications — especially certain chemotherapeutic agents — can cause nerve damage as a side effect.

Infections — for example by Borrelia (Lyme disease), HIV or hepatitis C — can also be triggers, as can autoimmune processes in which the immune system mistakenly attacks nerve tissue. Hereditary neuropathies arise from genetic changes that affect the structure and function of nerves. Finally, mechanical factors such as prolonged pressure or repeated microtrauma can damage nerves.

Genetic factors may also play a role. Inherited neuropathies, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, are caused by mutations in genes that lead to defective nerve structure and thus impair nerve function. Mechanical and traumatic causes can also lead to nerve changes. Prolonged pressure on nerves, for example due to malalignment, tumors or chronic overuse, can lead to ischemia and structural damage. Repeated microtrauma, e.g., from vibration or long-term mechanical strain in the workplace, is also considered a risk factor.

Symptoms of polyneuropathy

The symptoms of polyneuropathy often depend on various factors such as the extent of nerve damage, the types of nerves affected (sensory, motor or autonomic), overall physical condition and individual pain perception. Often, characteristic symptoms can indicate polyneuropathy. However, a definitive diagnosis should always be made by a physician. For exact clarification, electrophysiological methods such as nerve conduction studies (ENG) or electromyography (EMG) are mainly used to measure nerve conduction velocity and muscle activity. Imaging techniques such as MRI are generally only used when additional diseases need to be excluded or other structures need to be assessed. X-rays are not suitable for direct imaging of nerves but can, in individual cases, provide indirect clues to accompanying changes. Below are the most common symptoms of polyneuropathy. It is important to mention that atypical symptoms may also occur that are not listed here. The following list of symptoms is therefore not exhaustive.

• Tingling or “pins and needles” (paresthesia): An unpleasant, often burning or tingling sensation in the hands and feet caused by disturbed nerve conduction.
• Numbness: Reduced or absent perception of touch, cold or heat, often starting in the toes or fingertips and slowly spreading.
• Burning pain: An intense, sometimes constant burning in the extremities triggered by malfunctioning damaged nerves.
• Sharp or shooting pains: Sudden, stabbing pain impulses that can occur without external cause.
• Increased pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia): Normal stimuli, such as light pressure or touch, are perceived excessively as pain.
• Fatigue is a common symptom of polyneuropathy with multiple causes — for example chronic pain, sleep disturbances due to abnormal sensations, psychological stress or involvement of the autonomic nervous system.
• Disturbed temperature perception: Difficulty distinguishing between heat and cold, increasing the risk of burns or frostbite.
• Reduced vibration sense: Impaired perception of fine vibrations, often detected during examination using a tuning fork.
• Muscle weakness: Reduced muscle strength, especially in the feet and legs, which can lead to an unsteady gait.
• Muscle wasting (atrophy): Long-term nerve damage can lead to regression of muscle tissue if it is no longer sufficiently stimulated.
• Balance disorders: Impaired proprioception makes it difficult to control body position, especially in the dark or with closed eyes.
• Unsteady gait: A wide-based or swaying walk to maintain stability, often as a compensation mechanism for sensory disturbances.
• Coordination problems (ataxia): Difficulty with targeted movements, e.g., when grasping or climbing stairs, due to disrupted nerve impulses.
• Reflex changes: Weakened or absent reflexes, especially at the ankles or knees, due to disturbed signal transmission.
• Autonomic dysfunction: Impairment of unconscious bodily functions such as blood pressure regulation, sweating or digestion if autonomic nerves are affected.
• Skin hypersensitivity or insensitivity: Some people react extremely sensitively to light touches, while others hardly perceive stimuli at all.

Conventional therapies – what helps with polyneuropathy?

There are various therapeutic approaches for treating polyneuropathy. The primary goal is to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and — if possible — slow or stop the progression of nerve damage. Below are some conventional therapies for polyneuropathy. The list of polyneuropathy treatments is not exhaustive. Different measures are often combined to reduce symptoms such as pain, abnormal sensations or muscle weakness. A medical consultation is recommended to determine the appropriate therapy for the individual case.

• Treating the underlying condition: If polyneuropathy is caused by a disease such as diabetes mellitus or a thyroid disorder, optimal control of that condition is the priority to prevent further nerve damage.
• Pain medications: Use of analgesics such as paracetamol or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for short-term relief of mild pain.
• Specific medications for neuropathic pain: Certain antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) or anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin) are specifically used to reduce neuropathic pain.
• Topical pain therapy: Creams or patches can locally reduce pain by inhibiting pain signal transmission in the skin.
• Physical therapy modalities: Treatments such as heat therapy, cold, ultrasound or electrotherapy can improve circulation, relieve pain and enhance wellbeing.
• Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is used in polyneuropathy to improve muscle strength, mobility and coordination through targeted exercises, which prevents falls and facilitates daily life.
• Occupational therapy: Helps affected individuals manage everyday activities despite limitations and learn to use assistive devices.
• Foot care (podiatry): Regular foot checks and care — especially in diabetes — to prevent injuries and secondary infections.
• Orthopedic aids: Insoles, special footwear or walking aids can stabilize gait and prevent pressure points.
• Nutritional optimization: A balanced diet with adequate supply of vitamins (especially B vitamins) and trace elements can support nerve function and regeneration.
• Vitamin supplements: If a deficiency of B1, B6, B12 or folic acid is proven, targeted supplements are used to support nerve metabolism and myelin synthesis.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): A device delivers gentle electrical impulses via electrodes to the skin to suppress pain signals.
• Acupuncture: Can reduce pain and abnormal sensations in some cases, presumably by activating the body’s own pain-inhibiting mechanisms.
• Exercise training: Regular moderate exercise (e.g., walking, cycling, swimming) improves circulation, metabolism and general wellbeing.
• Psychological support: Pain therapy, relaxation techniques or cognitive behavioral therapy help cope with chronic complaints.

kybun mode of action – what helps with polyneuropathy?

kybun products target the areas where many problems for people with polyneuropathy begin: limited mobility, muscle imbalances, balance disorders and reduced activity of the foot and leg muscles. Thanks to the elastic-springy sole, kybun shoes on the one hand relieve the musculoskeletal system and on the other hand promote a natural, active walking movement. This combination can help stimulate circulation in the legs, gently mobilize the muscles and improve balance. At the same time, walking on the elastic-springy material trains the deep muscles and stimulates the soles of the feet, which can be supportive in sensory disturbances. This can stabilize posture and increase standing and walking safety. Thus, kybun shoes offer a possible approach to relieve affected people in everyday life and promote their mobility. Below are the main mechanisms of action of kybun products for polyneuropathy.

• Promotion of movement and reduction of sedentary behavior

  Regular movement and a reduction of sedentary activities are central components in dealing with polyneuropathy. Studies and reports suggest that physical activity can help improve circulation and nerve supply, promote mobility and reduce the risk of falls. Lack of movement, on the other hand, can lead to muscle weakness, decreased coordination and deterioration of gait stability. The elastic-springy kybun products encourage the joy of movement, as dynamic standing and walking on the kybun material gently activates and at the same time relieves the entire musculoskeletal system. Through continuous, joint-friendly activation of the muscles, circulation is stimulated, balance is trained and body awareness is enhanced. In addition, kybun products help reduce the amount of sedentary time in everyday life — an important factor for maintaining mobility and quality of life in polyneuropathy. Below are the positive effects associated with movement promotion through kybun products.

• Activation and strengthening of muscles through elastic-springy properties

  An elastic-springy surface like that of kybun products can gently but sustainably promote muscular activation and strengthening — a decisive advantage in polyneuropathy, where muscle weakness, coordination problems and sensory disturbances are often prominent. When walking and standing on the unstable material, numerous small compensatory movements must be made to maintain balance. This muscle activation particularly affects the deep muscles in the feet, legs, pelvis and trunk — precisely those muscle groups important for posture, stability and movement coordination.
  Through this gentle but continuous activation, muscle weakness and imbalances can be reduced, circulation stimulated and body awareness improved — which can increase standing and walking safety in polyneuropathy. The feet are particularly important: as the base of posture they directly influence the alignment of the entire body. An activated and strengthened foot musculature stabilizes the knees, hips and back and can reduce malalignments that often arise from sensory and movement disturbances.

Balance and EMG

Balance ability was measured with a force plate by tracking the movement of the center of mass forward-backward (ant-post) and sideways (med-lat) while standing. In parallel, electromyography (EMG) recorded muscular activity.

• Reduction of impact from hard, flat floors through damping effect

  Hard, flat floors transmit impact forces directly through the soles of the feet to the knees, hips and the entire spine with every step. These continuous micro-loads can further burden already reduced sensitivity in people with polyneuropathy and place greater strain on muscles and joints. The elastic-springy sole of kybun shoes counteracts this effect: on heel strike the foot gently sinks into the material, absorbing part of the impact energy and significantly reducing the load on the musculoskeletal system.
  The so-called rebound effect of the kybun sole — the gentle spring-back after sinking in — enables a more even distribution of forces while walking. This protects sensitive joints and relieves overstrained structures such as muscles, tendons and fasciae. Especially in polyneuropathy, where sensory disturbances and coordination problems make walking more difficult, this gentle cushioning can reduce the risk of maladaptive loads and make movement more comfortable.
  In addition, the slow sinking of the heel gives the body more time to activate stabilizing muscle groups. The resulting baseline tension improves joint guidance and supports gentle, joint-friendly locomotion. This combination of shock absorption and muscular stabilization can help reduce complaints, promote mobility and sustainably improve physical wellbeing in polyneuropathy.

• Natural foot roll thanks to muscle activation and roll-off function

  On heel strike in kybun shoes the foot sinks slowly into the elastic-springy material. This delayed sinking not only reduces sudden impact forces but also gives the muscles additional time to actively adjust to the load. The targeted activation of the foot muscles stabilizes the foot arch and enables a natural, controlled roll-off — from heel strike over the midfoot to the push-off via the forefoot.
  Especially in polyneuropathy this guided roll-off can provide valuable support. The gentle activation while walking prevents insecure foot positions, reduces protective postures and promotes natural gait dynamics. The active roll-off also supports a smoother movement sequence and efficiently transfers the forces involved into forward motion — instead of directing them undampened into joints and muscles.
  By increasing the range of motion in the foot, knee, hip and spinal joints, the load is better distributed throughout the body. Particularly valuable in polyneuropathy: the resulting increased rotation in the upper body supports stability and balance, promotes circulation in the legs and contributes to improved body perception. Overall, the natural roll-off with kybun not only relieves overloaded structures but also promotes a safe, rhythmic movement pattern — which can have long-term positive effects on mobility, stability and wellbeing.

• Optimized pressure distribution

  The elastic-springy kybun products envelop the entire sole of the foot evenly and thus ensure optimized pressure distribution when walking and standing. Especially with typical polyneuropathy symptoms such as sensory disturbances and increased sensitivity to load on the feet, this even distribution of forces can lead to significant relief. By reducing local peak loads, sensitive structures such as muscles, tendons, joints and fasciae are spared.
  The soft, reactive sole allows the contact surface to adapt dynamically with each step. As a result, the surface area over which body weight is distributed increases and focal pressure points — for example in the heel, ball of the foot or metatarsal heads — are reduced. This not only provides relief but also supports a more stable posture and a safer sequence of movement, which can counteract maladaptive loads and overuse in the long term.
  Especially in polyneuropathy, where even small pressure stimuli or unstable loading points can be unpleasant or risky, the optimized pressure distribution of kybun products offers noticeable support. It enables gentler, more comfortable walking and standing — without additional overstimulation of already sensitive structures. This can improve the movement experience and help break a vicious circle of insecurity, protective posture and restricted mobility.

• Care and protection of the fasciae

  Walking on the elastic-springy surface of kybun products can significantly contribute to the care and protection of the fasciae — a central aspect in polyneuropathy, since changes in connective tissue, reduced circulation and muscular imbalances often result from nerve damage. Fasciae are fine but resilient connective tissue structures that envelop, connect and support muscles, organs and joints, ensuring tension distribution and mobility. They react particularly sensitively to lack of movement, monotonous loads or maladaptive loading — factors that often occur in polyneuropathies.
  The springy movement when walking in kybun shoes produces gentle, rhythmic impulses that stimulate the fascial tissue. This promotes circulation, improves fluid exchange and supports the removal of metabolic waste products. These processes help to dissolve or prevent adhesions and hardenings in the fasciae. At the same time, dynamic loading maintains the elasticity and gliding ability of the fascial network, which improves mobility and positively influences the consequences of polyneuropathy — such as muscular tension or restrictions in joint movement.
  A well-maintained, elastic fascial network also supports even force distribution in the body and relieves overstrained structures such as muscles, joints and the spine. Especially in polyneuropathy, where gait insecurity, reduced sensitivity and muscular weakness often occur, the gentle mobilization by kybun can help improve stability, reduce pain and enhance overall body awareness. Regular use of kybun products therefore supports not only the joy of movement but also the long-term health of connective tissue.

• Blood circulation promotion through increased movement activity

  Walking and standing on the elastic-springy surface of kybun products promotes natural movement activity — a central factor for circulation in the entire musculoskeletal system. Especially in polyneuropathy, where microcirculation is often impaired, blood flow disturbances and reduced nutrient supply to the tissue occur, a gently stimulated, rhythmic movement can be crucial to alleviating complaints. The increased activity on the elastic-springy sole stimulates the muscle pump, improves venous return and supports the supply of muscles, fasciae and joints with oxygen and nutrients.
  This improved circulation can help promote tissue regeneration, support the removal of metabolic products and reduce muscular tension or weakness — typical accompaniments of polyneuropathy. Deeper structures that are less well supplied due to nerve changes also benefit from the increased metabolic activity. At the same time, tissue elasticity and thermoregulation are improved, leading to a more pleasant bodily sensation, more stability and increased enjoyment of movement.Overall, the use of kybun products promotes better circulation through gentle movement integrated into everyday life — without overstrain. This can help increase physical resilience, alleviate neuropathic complaints and sustainably improve the quality of life of people with polyneuropathies.

Usage tips for polyneuropathy

Before you wear kybun shoes for the first time, you should consider a few usage tips. Correct application can help to relieve polyneuropathy pain.

• Start with short wearing periods and increase them gradually. Initially wear kybun shoes only for as long as your body allows. The body, especially the muscles and nervous system, needs time to get used to the elastic-springy surface. Take breaks if symptoms increase or the musculoskeletal system becomes fatigued. Due to the activating properties of kybun products, the muscles are trained, which can lead to so-called first reactions, especially at the beginning.
• Press the heel actively into the elastic-springy material on heel strike and feel the damping properties of the kybun shoes. The damping is intended to cushion and reduce impacts on the body, thereby lessening the load on muscles, tendons, ligaments, fasciae, joints and bones.
• Roll the foot slowly from the heel over the midfoot to the forefoot. Avoid tense or abrupt footfalls — smooth movements help distribute muscle tension more evenly.
• At the beginning, take shorter steps rather than large strides — this supports stability and coordination. This prevents overload in the knees, hips or back.
• Try over time to roll off actively over the forefoot. By increasing the range of motion of the feet, more movement is generated in all joints, which is especially helpful for tension and stiffness. If an active roll-off is not possible due to blockages or other deficits, reduce the forefoot roll-off.