US Patent 7805859 Therapeutic shoe sole design

A therapeutic device includes a supporting member that continuously and flexibly supports and bounds a plurality of small sized hard surfaced force members that support a user's foot during movement without clumping. The force members are slidable relative to each other and require no additional lubrication although dry or non-tacky liquid lubrication may be added. The support member is positioned on a support surface of a shoe sole and a shoe is constructed including the same. Alternative designs include structural members or positioning stitches relative to the supporting member minimizing undesirable movement of force members during use.