my 'experiences with marbles' was less than enthralling as well.
I had NO toe-tone? At all. I 'slaved' thru therapy by just smushing the marbles between my toes and holding them over the 'dish' until gravity happened. [THAT is what gravity is for?] Took about 2 weeks of daily smooshing before toes decided to sort of work. Got better about the 'letting go' part, but that is when my whole feet started to ache from the insteps to the arches, ankles and beyond! It was part and parcel of the using those muscles again I believe. That's why I urge you to go slow! I'd felt as if I'd broken a new metatarsal bone or something, it was soo painful. Of course Tramadol made NO impression on this pain. Not anything did, but more but slow workouts. Cut back if you start to get that pain. But keep it up, and don't give up. Hugs and hope always - j