Plantar For Reflexological Stimulation

Abstract

An insole ( 1 ) for reflexological stimulation of the sole of the foot, comprising a plurality of elastic elements ( 4 ) extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sole of the foot and arranged at selected areas thereof to perform said stimulation by deforming elastically during a subject's walking, said elastic elements ( 4 ) having a first end ( 41 ) fixed on a support ( 2 ) and a second end ( 42 ) apt to act onto the sole of the foot, wherein the rigidity and the height of the elastic elements ( 4 ) is differentiated in different zones of the sole of the foot.

1 . An insole for reflexological stimulation of the sole of the foot, comprising a plurality of elastic elements extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sole of the foot and arranged at selected areas thereof to perform said stimulation by deforming elastically during a subject's walking, wherein the rigidity and/or the height of said elastic elements is differentiated in different zones of the sole of the foot. 
     
     
         2 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the height and/or the rigidity of said elastic elements is greater at the centre of each of said selected reflexological areas of the sole of the foot. 
     
     
         3 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said elastic elements has a top end apt to act onto the sole of the foot, said top end comprising a coupling means for coupling with the sole of the foot. 
     
     
         4 . The insole according to  claim 3 , wherein said coupling means has a shape selected from a group comprising a substantially hemisphere-like shape, a substantially dome-like shape and a substantially drop-like shape. 
     
     
         5 . The insole according to  claim 3 , wherein said coupling means is made of an elastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The insole according to  claim 5 , wherein said coupling means is made of a material selected from a group comprising silicone, Indian rubber and Para Rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The insole according to  claim 3 , wherein said coupling means has a height comprised in a range of about 1-1.5 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The insole according to  claim 3 , wherein said coupling means has a plan width equal to about (2×2) mm. 
     
     
         9 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the elastic elements have a rigidity such as to reduce their height of about ⅓ when deflected during walking. 
     
     
         10 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the elastic elements have a rigidity such as to reduce their height of about ½ when deflected during walking. 
     
     
         11 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic elements are made of an elastic fiber material. 
     
     
         12 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic elements comprise helical compression springs. 
     
     
         13 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic elements comprise spiral compression springs. 
     
     
         14 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein said selected areas of the sole of the foot are selected from a group comprising areas corresponding to: adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis, abductor digiti minimi brevis pedis, supinator wedge, pronator wedge and abductor hallucis. 
     
     
         15 . The insole according to  claim 1 , comprising a bottom layer at which there are fixed first ends of said elastic elements and a top layer apt to cover said elastic elements at second ends thereof and to contact the sole of the foot. 
     
     
         16 . The insole according to the preceding  claim 15 , wherein said first layer is made of flexible PVC. 
     
     
         17 . The insole according to  claim 15 , wherein said second layer is made of a material soft to the touch. 
     
     
         18 . The insole according to  claim 15 , wherein said first layer has a thickness of about 1 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The insole according to  claim 15 , further comprising an intermediate layer arranged between said top layer and said second ends of said elastic elements. 
     
     
         20 . The insole according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic elements of each of said selected areas are received into a respective cell. 
     
     
         21 . The insole according to  claim 1 , which is an insole removably insertable into and extractable from a shoe. 
     
     
         22 . The insole according to  claim 1 , which is an insole incorporated into a shoe.