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Walking, Movement and Health Stories and Brands
Activate your feet and hands with NABOSO sensorimotor tools – NABOSO Activation, Performance and Neuro insoles, Foot Recovery Socks, Neuro Ball, Splay.
Your feet are the foundation of every movement. Have a quick think: are you giving them enough care? Do you actually feel your feet when you walk? Do you pay attention to the surface you’re walking on?
And yet it’s your feet that, with every step, send thousands of signals to every corner of your body so it knows how to respond and how to move. Stimulating the feet helps us feel our walking and focus on it.
As a result, our movements become more coordinated, the body feels better, and life feels happier.
And that’s exactly why NABOSO was created – our American namesake focused on developing sensorimotor tools to activate the feet and support better connection between the brain and the body.
Sensorimotor is the interplay between the senses and body movement. It’s how our body responds to what it sees, hears, feels, tastes, senses through touch, or perceives in any other way. Sensory and movement systems work together in a coordinated way.
Sensorimotor responses are usually subconscious, guided by natural reflexes and learned movement patterns. Put simply: they’re our body’s reactions to external stimuli that we perceive through our senses. Like pulling your hand away when you prick yourself on a thorn, or putting your fingers in your mouth when a piece of chocolate suddenly appears there.
Sensorimotor movement also includes simply standing or sitting. With poor movement habits, such as slouching at a computer, some muscles can become chronically overloaded, which can lead to various aches and pains (back, neck, or the musculoskeletal system).
Issues like these are addressed through movement therapy and sensorimotor stimulation, where the body builds and practises better coordination between sensory input and movement.
In this article, we’ll gradually look at specific products for sensorimotor stimulation. But since we’ll mainly be focusing on products from the American brand NABOSO, which we collaborate with at naBOSo, let’s introduce it first. Not least so you’ll understand why we share the same name.
Do you know the term podiatry? It’s a medical discipline focused on our feet—directly and exclusively. The NABOSO story began with a podiatrist who threw herself into her work wholeheartedly. She treated conditions and injuries, but also searched for their root causes.
Over many years of practice, she discovered that nature didn’t give us feet with thousands of nerve endings for no reason. And that by training and stimulating these points, remarkable things can happen in the body—things that bring us back to natural movement.
Behind the brand with a Czech name is Dr Emily Splichal—a name with a hint of Central Europe too. So what’s the story? Dr Emily isn’t Czech, as it might seem; her family roots are in neighbouring Germany. But she does have a warm connection to the Czech Republic. She often travels to Prague to lecture about her work, and it was during one of those talks that the name NABOSO was born:
“When I was developing my first product, I travelled to Prague to give a lecture and someone had the word NABOSO on their T-shirt. It caught my eye, so I asked what it meant—and as soon as I found out NABOSO means barefoot, I knew my company had to be connected to that word,” says the founder herself.
Dr. Emily Splichal is a globally recognised podiatrist and human movement specialist. In her research, she combines expert medical knowledge with years of hands-on experience in human movement and sensory perception. She has lectured on her unique approach to movement in 35 countries to more than 20,000 professionals, and is widely respected in the field of barefoot walking and rehabilitation. The core idea behind Dr Emily’s research is that our experiences are built on sensory stimulation—simply put, training and encouraging our senses—and on our ability to perceive and process this information effectively.
NABOSO’s motto is FEEL MORE TO MOVE BETTER. The aim of NABOSO is to improve our movement, our senses, and overall quality of life—through a stronger connection between physical movement and the sensory side of things. And it does so in a very pleasant way – through foot massage.
Neurostimulation activates and trains thousands of nerve endings, sending stronger signals to the brain. The brain then responds more sharply and attentively to all the movements of our body.
Nerves run throughout the body and carry out different tasks sent by the brain. They work like a perfect communication network, transmitting impulses to the brain and from the brain to the relevant organs and body parts. By stimulating nerve endings, this essential communication process becomes sharper and better trained.
And as we all know, training leads to better results. What’s more, it all happens passively. You simply put on socks or insoles in your shoes and you don’t have to think about it—your body takes care of the rest.
NABOSO isn’t just a brand; it’s a whole philosophy. NABOSO products are designed not only to address existing musculoskeletal issues, but also to help prevent them from developing.
With regular stimulation of nerve endings, thousands of small processes are triggered in the body that support long-term communication along the pathway–nerves–brain–movement. This subtly sharpens the senses and trains better movement patterns.
Every product is backed by careful research and investigation. They’re used in medical fields such as neurorehabilitation, orthopaedics, podiatry and paediatrics, as well as in sport.
The products have been used in therapy practices and treatment centres worldwide for neuropathies and motor difficulties. Thanks to this, the brand has valuable data and can track the impact and progress of using its products in real life. NABOSO also monitors the positive effects of stimulating massage products across several sports disciplines.
Thanks to research, numbers and data, we—and many patients and athletes—can confirm that NABOSO products demonstrably restore musculoskeletal function, improve movement coordination, and support the brain and the nervous system’s signal-processing through stimulation of nerve endings in the feet.
Dr Emily says about the research: “One of the most impressive changes we see with NABOSO products is in patients with chronic neurological conditions. I read research on how texture can positively influence subconscious foot awareness and balance in people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and neuropathy.
But when I saw the reactions and emotions of people who could feel their feet again or walk without hesitation, it was breathtaking. That’s what drives our brand to be involved in medical research. And now, as we develop new products, we always consider the space for neurorehabilitation and the potential opportunity to positively impact patients’ health and lives.”
Do you remember when pointy shoes were all the rage? We don’t have to go back to the Middle Ages—narrow toe boxes are still common in high-street shoe shops today.
Closed shoes often don’t give our toes enough room to play their part in foot movement when we walk. And that’s exactly what they’re there for. Toes help with better balance and stability.
Trapping toes in tight shoes is often behind various toe misalignments—unpleasant to look at and not great for our wellbeing either. Toe deformities are far from rare. But very few people realise there’s something you can do about it.
NABOSO came up with a solution called Splay TOE SPACERS.
These universal toe spacers are designed so that with regular use, they help restore the natural shape of the foot and toes. They align the toes and guide them back towards their proper position.
Why does that matter so much? In healthy, natural walking the foot uses its entire surface—including the toes. And for toes to work properly, they need space of their own. This can support better posture, balance and overall walking mechanics.
Splay TOE SPACERS can be worn during the day, when they do their job directly. Or you can give them the night shift, letting them work on toe alignment while you sleep. For overall improvement in foot coordination and movement when walking, we recommend using them alongside any NABOSO insole.
It’s small, round, gently bumpy, and feels wonderfully pleasant to the touch. What is it? NABOSO NEURO BALL, a 3-in-1 massage and release tool. One clever little ball can easily stand in for a masseur’s hands—several times a day if you like. Thanks to the small pyramid-shaped bumps, it activates nerve endings in the feet, supporting the whole foot and sharpening sensory responses. And it feels so good.
What does 3-in-1 mean? The ball actually has three parts. With a simple movement, it splits into two halves, and inside you’ll find an additional special mini ball for targeted release of foot muscles. And the two half-domes are brilliant for massaging both feet at the same time. Thought through down to the last detail.
NEURO BALL is the smallest and most packable stimulation tool. But that doesn’t take away from its effectiveness—quite the opposite. It’s ideal for any occasion: great on the go, and just as good at home in the evening in front of the telly. It fits in your handbag and will sail through airport security too.
“There’s probably no need to explain how pleasant—and beneficial—it can feel to massage your feet with a spiky ball or a tennis ball. NABOSO NEURO BALL works in a similar way, but its surface with small pyramids helps stimulate and ‘wake up’ the soft tissues of the foot. By pressing your heel onto the designated spot, you can split the ball into two half-domes—and that’s what I like most about it. You can step on the half-domes with both feet at once; they don’t roll away, so you can precisely target the areas you want to enjoy, massage and release.
Inside the ball you’ll also find a small inner ball, which you can use at the end of the massage to pinpoint the most sensitive spots and release them. This is a very suitable tool for foot wellbeing: it helps release overloaded structures in the feet while also stimulating the foot muscles for further performance,” says Bc. Hana Tonarová, a physiotherapist at the HoneyCare medical centre.
One of the first products NABOSO developed was shoe insoles. Why? Dr Emily works in podiatry—so, issues connected to our feet—and movement, specifically how our feet influence movement.
Years of research led her to discover just how huge the feet’s influence on the musculoskeletal system is: strengthen your feet and you strengthen your whole body—and that the ideal shoes for human health are no shoes at all.
But not everyone can switch straight to barefoot walking. A sensorimotor insole can, in theory, work as a substitute for walking barefoot. It stimulates the foot, supports circulation, and trains sensory awareness of walking even during everyday activities. With these insoles, you’ll discover what it feels like to truly notice your feet.
That said, you don’t need to keep the insole in your shoes from morning to night. It can become a morning ritual that gets you going on the way to work. Or an evening wind-down, where increased circulation helps you shake off the day’s fatigue. That’s exactly what NABOSO SENSORIMOTOR INSOLES Activation were designed for, with a medium level of foot stimulation.
Just like in everyday life, foot stimulation works brilliantly in sport too. Strengthening your feet during training can make your workout feel more intense—both subjectively and physically. For athletes, there are NABOSO SENSORIMOTOR INSOLES Performance, which keep the feet active thanks to a low level of stimulation, without distracting you from performance.
All NABOSO insoles are designed so you can easily customise the size and shape to your foot (and your shoe). Simply trace your usual insole and cut it out with scissors.
Foot stimulation also has a major role in medicine. Scientists have already shown that improving circulation in the feet and stimulating nerve endings on the soles can have a significant positive effect for patients with various types of neuropathy.
For this purpose, NABOSO SENSORIMOTOR INSOLES Neurowere designed, providing a high and intense level of foot stimulation. They’re also suitable for rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation programmes to improve balance and stability, gait training, and reducing the risk of falls.
Our tip: Planning to switch from conventional footwear to barefoot shoes? NABOSO stimulation insoles can make the transition easier. With regular use, your feet will soon get stronger—and those first kilometres in barefoot footwear will feel like a walk in the park. You can read more about transitioning to barefoot footwear in the article Why choose barefoot footwear, how to pick it and how to wear it.
A permanent mini-massage for your feet—that’s NABOSO FOOT RECOVERY SOCKS: sensorimotor socks with a special texture inside. You’ve never felt socks on your feet quite this intensely—we can promise you that (and we don’t mean the “competition” from football kit-bag socks).
These socks are with you every step of the way, constantly stimulating your feet whether you’re standing, walking or running. They’re tireless little workers that, through stimulation of nerves in the feet, support circulation, help relax muscles and sharpen the senses. That’s how they contribute positively to overall wellbeing and fitness.
On the inside of the foot section, the socks have small pointed pyramids that constantly remind you your body includes feet too. Thanks to this activation, you’ll subconsciously start changing muscle activity across your whole musculoskeletal system when you walk—and that can improve your overall posture.
The word recovery in the name hints that the ideal time to put on NABOSO socks is after exertion or training, and in the evening, after a long day on your feet. For recovery and fighting fatigue, they work brilliantly; the recommended wear time is at least 60 minutes. But some people need a boost in the morning, when feet feel stiff and sensitive. Just pull them on for your walk to the bathroom and while making breakfast. In 20 minutes, your feet will feel completely different – warmed up, relaxed and ready for the day.
The point of NABOSO socks isn’t to wear them all day, but long enough for your feet to get a well-earned relaxing reward for how brilliantly they serve you. For some people, the first steps can be challenging—maybe even uncomfortable. We’re all sensitive in different ways. But the body is a welcoming temple, open to positive change.
After a few days you’ll get used to it—and you may end up loving the intense foot massage so much that it’ll be hard to find a day when you skip it and finally throw the socks in the wash (gentle cycle, no harsh chemicals; tumble drying is fine if needed, but on a low temperature).
There are three options to choose from:
“I mainly use the sensorimotor knee-highs NABOSO KNEE HIGH RECOVERY SOCKS for recovery after demanding training and match days, but sometimes also before physical activity to ‘wake up’ my legs. The rough texture under the feet helps me massage and increase circulation in my soles and creates a feeling of relief. The high compression sock helps improve circulation and recovery in my calf muscles. I recommend these socks to anyone doing performance sport who needs quality recovery,” says Lukáš Vraštil, professional footballer at SK Sigma Olomouc.
Do you suddenly feel like your feet need all of these activation helpers? Fair enough—your feet deserve proper care, attention and rest. After all, they carry you lovingly all day long, sometimes even all night. If you want to treat them to a regular dose of relaxation and activation at the same time, we recommend trying the NABOSO FOOT RECOVERY KIT.
This complete set includes the three most popular NABOSO products:
By activating nerve endings in the feet, you’ll wake up not only the soles, but your legs and your whole body too. You’ll likely notice it in your mood quite quickly: you may feel less tired and perform better during the day and in training. This sensorimotor combo can help in the morning, during the day and in the evening—it’s up to you which tool you feel like using.
“All of them. My favourites are the Activation insoles, NEURO BALL and RECOVERY SOCKS. Every morning I walk around the house in slippers with the insoles inside. It wakes up my feet and my body and gets me ready for a new day full of movement. In my office, I’m usually barefoot. In the evening before bed, I like to release my feet with the NEURO BALL before putting on the RECOVERY SOCKS.
I believe in our products and use them as part of my daily routine,” says Dr Emily Splichal. So—what will your NABOSO rituals be?
Has your mind been taken over by the feeling that you absolutely need all NABOSO products? Good—don’t be afraid of them and go for it. Start slowly, perhaps with the massage ball NEURO BALL. Turn the pleasant mini-massage into a regular ritual (an evening one, for example). You can easily do it on the sofa while watching a series—just remember to.
With regular foot massage, you’ll soon notice changes—in your walking, in your body, and in how you perceive the world around you. And a bonus? These positive changes tend to come with a smile, and people around you will happily smile back.
Live fully. Feel your movement. Learn to listen to your body again—it will reward you. The world will feel closer.
“I’m a big advocate of barefoot footwear. It’s a great way to support natural foot function and increase sensory stimulation. Almost all foot types can benefit from barefoot shoes, and I’ve found that when combined with NABOSO insoles, you truly get a complete stimulation and strengthening effect. I have three pillars of foot health that I recommend to all my patients and everyone I speak to, as prevention of pain and issues—activation, strength and recovery:
Activation represents the need to keep our feet sensory-aware by walking barefoot, standing on the NEURO BALL, or walking on grass. This daily nerve stimulation keeps us aware of our posture and connects us to the ground. I recommend at least 30 minutes of sensory stimulation every day.
Strength represents how strongly the foot is connected to the muscles on the underside of the foot. These small muscles play a role in every aspect of movement, including how we balance on one leg and manage impact forces. Research has shown these muscles strengthen when we wear barefoot footwear.
And finally, my favourite: recovery. This is about releasing the feet at the end of the day. Stimulating massage strengthens the foot muscles and improves circulation. I recommend everyone release their feet by standing on the half-dome of the NEURO BALL for five minutes each day, and wearing RECOVERY SOCKS in the evening to support microcirculation to the feet.”
Dr. Emily Splichal, founder of NABOSO
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