Feet Get Older Too

I stumbled upon this really great article about foot pain and aging. I thought I would share it with you.
To read the full article, click here.



I NEVER THOUGHT about my feet until they started to hurt. And since then, they haven't let me forget them.

Among the physical changes associated with aging, such as wrinkly skin, sagging chins, graying hair and body fat that seems to drift south no matter what we do, nuances in the foot department get short shrift.

Feet are just, well, feet. We don't see them when we look in the mirror. And unless we're wearing sandals, hardly anybody else sees them either.

But on one of those important milestone birthdays, my feet decided to let me know they wanted some respect.

Without warning, while on a beautiful walk during a celebratory trip, those two stalwart, reliable drudges of transportation began to radiate something new: pain. Decades of carrying me over hard pavement, dirt trails or burning sand, of being encased in nonbreathable nylons or strangled in high-heeled or narrow designs had taken a toll.

"Hey," was the message. "Pay attention."

After years of ignoring their contributions, the least I can do now is be kind to my feet. I hope to be working with them for a long while.


...

Tips for aging feet:
Besides bunions and hammertoes, other common problems for aging feet are: fungus infections, prevented by keeping the feet clean and dry; bone spurs, or calcium deposits worsened by standing on the feet for long periods; dry skin, helped by daily application of lotion to the feet; corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.

Tips on buying shoes:
When you buy shoes, follow these tips from the National Association on Aging. Have feet measured; buy shoes at the end of the day, when feet are largest; fit your shoe to your larger foot; make sure there is enough space — up to half an inch — for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up; make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe; don't buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit; make sure the heel fits comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping — shoes should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.

Z-CoiL shoes are solidly constructed, conform to your feet and have cushioned soles that absorb the shock of hard surfaces.

Try a lace-up style, such as the Freedom or High Desert Hiker. A shoe that ties can be adjusted for better comfort and support.

Fashion Goes Beyond Comfort with the New Bella from Z-CoiL

Now pain relief not only feels good—it looks good, too!

The Bella, a new women’s shoe from the pain relief footwear industry leader, Z-CoiL, is now appearing in Z-CoiL shoe stores around the country. This trendy shoe not only improves poise but also maximizes comfort. Supplies are not expected to last, however, as the Bella was produced as a limited-edition style, fated to arrive suddenly on the scene and vanish just as quickly.

A fun and flirty shoe in beige with mulberry accents, the Bella combines split cowhide leather and breathable mesh, along with (naturally) Z-CoiL’s unique, shock-absorbing technology. Two adjustable velcro® straps and a padded, anti-bacterial insole add to the comfort and ease of wearing this shoe.
Now women everywhere will be able to stay active on their feet all day long, with far greater comfort and less fatigue. “Beauty is pain” no more! Enjoy comfort and confidence with the new Bella Z-CoiL shoes!

To learn more about Z-CoiL’s remarkable pain-relieving technology, or to view a wide range of styles for both men and women, or locate a Z-CoiL distributor near you, visit the Z-CoiL website at www.zcoil.com.

Customers receive personalized, custom fit and free footwear adjustments for the life of their footwear in order to achieve the greatest comfort possible in their Z-CoiL shoes.

How Z-CoiL Footwear Can Ease Your Back Pain

According to the American Chiropractic Association, 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some point in their lives, and half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.

How Z-CoiL® footwear can help:
The shock-absorbing heel in Z-CoiL® footwear, in conjunction with thick forefoot cushioning, reduces impact to the body by up to 50% compared to conventional shoes. The built-in Z-Orthotic™ also promotes good posture, which relieves further stress on your back, while rocker-bottom soles in the shoes help you maintain a smooth gait as you walk.

Test out a pair of Z-CoiL shoes for yourself and feel the difference! Z-CoiL Store Locator

Tips for Preventing Foot Pain

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers the following tips for preventing foot pain:
• Don’t ignore foot pain — it’s not normal. If the pain persists, see a doctor who specializes in podiatry.
• Inspect feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete’s foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
• Wash feet regularly, especially between the toes, and dry them completely.
• Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. (Cutting nails in corners or on the sides increases the risk for ingrown toenails.)
• Make sure shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest, and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
• Select and wear the right shoe for specific activities (such as running shoes for running).
• Alternate shoes. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.
• Avoid walking barefoot, which increases the risk for injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet, as you would on the rest of your body.
• Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments. Self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
• It is critical that people with diabetes see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a checkup. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet, including toenails, because they are more prone to infection.

Preventing Foot Problems in Childhood
• Early Development. The first year of life is important for foot development. Parents should cover their babies’ feet loosely, allowing plenty of opportunity for kicking and exercise. Change the child’s position frequently. Children generally start to walk at 10 – 18 months. They should not be forced to start walking early. Wearing just socks or going barefoot indoors helps the foot develop normally and strongly and allows the toes to grasp. Going barefoot outside, however, increases the risk for injury and other conditions, such as plantar warts.
• Shoes. Children should wear shoes that are light and flexible, and since their feet tend to perspire, their shoes should be made of materials that breathe. Replace footwear every few months as the child’s feet grow. Footwear should never be handed down. Protect children’s feet if they participate in high-impact sports.

The Mommy Brain Reports (and one of Walmart's 11 Moms) reviews Z-CoiL Shoes

Monica Brady from the Mommy Brain Reports has written a great reivew for our footwear.


Check out the complete article and her other great posts on her blog: http://www.mommybrainreports.com/1579/review-z-coil-shoes/

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I’m always on the lookout for the coolest things around, and this review is no exception!I was watching The Doctors one day, and they had on a pair of interesting looking shoes, that they claimed made them stand a little taller, and helped their posture. They also explained how these shoes acted like shock absorbers for their bodies. I thought that had to be a gimmick, but I was willing to try them, so I contacted Z-coil and explained how my back, knees, and hips have hurt since carrying my twins, and my husband’s back and knees have hurt him from all of the running he did while in the Marine Corps. They actually agreed to give us each a pair of shoes… But it wasn’t something they could just send us. We had to go to a local authorized dealer to get custom fitted for our Z-coil shoes.

We soon learned why we have to be custom fitted for these shoes. There are so many things that could be adjusted. The coil in the heel can be softer or stronger, or even turned to help with pronation. He had a computer there that he had us stand on to measure where we put pressure on our feet. We then walked across it to see how our feet hit the ground. I got to see how I put a lot of pressure on my big toe when I stood, and hit the ground hard with my heel when I walked. This totally explained why I had so much trouble when I tried to run. My knees, ankles, hips and lower back were always hurting after I tried to jog for even a couple of minutes on the treadmill. Gordon was able to look at these charts and use the data to truly customize our shoes for us. As far as my shoes go, he did turn one of the coils to help me stabilize one of my ankles, and he added some extra pads at my heel and the ball of my foot to reduce some of the impact when I walk.

It’s now been 2 months since I’ve had these shoes, and I have to say that they have helped me out a lot. I’ve been able to jog a little. I’ve noticed a majority of my lower joint pain has lessened and even some of it has gone away. My hubby has also liked wearing his shoes when we go out for the weekends and are doing a lot of walking around.

Please click here for the complete article.

Spring in Our Step Article from VitalJuice.com

April 29, 2009
These shoes make us think of Flubber, but they've got us walking on sunshine.

When we saw these on Helena Bonham Carter, we thought: something from her latest Gothy kids' flick? But it turns out Z-CoiLs, shoes with shock-absorbing metal springs for heels, are a hit all over Hollywood, spotted on Dustin Hoffman, Lenny Kravitz, Margaret Cho and Robert DeNiro. We desperately seek comfy shoes. Still, could we pull off the Z-CoiL?

Nancy and Ed from the Torrance store set us up:

• We got star treatment. Everyone who buys Z-CoiLs gets a custom fitting. Nancy felt our foot bones and studied how we stand and walk.


• Our shoes were tricked out. Nancy and Ed worked for 45 minutes, cutting and placing insteps, heel grips and arches until the shoes were a perfect fit. The shoes come with free "tune-ups" for life.


• We got surprise exercise. Turns out learning to walk on Z-CoiLs works the core.

The verdict: They have the ugly charm of a Cabbage Patch Kid. But Z-CoiLs are outrageously fun to wear, every bit as springy as we'd expected and then some. We wanted to bounce around all day, and they're said to be comfortable enough to wear for miles without getting sore or tired.

And they kinda made us feel like celebrities.

Such as The Easter Bunny.

http://www.vitaljuice.com/entry_detail/la/9837/These_shoes_make_us_think_of_Flubber_but_theyve_got_us_walking_on_%0D%0Asunshine_.htm

Unveiling the New Shades of Spring

Spring Into Spring with Fresh, New Colors from Z-CoiL®


The Z-CoiL® Freedom, the best-selling style of our unique line of Pain Relief Footwear® products, ushers in spring with two appealing new colors: Navy/White for Men and Sky Blue/White for Women.

There is currently only a limited supply of these new athletic shoes, so interested customers are urged to hurry to their local Z-CoiL® store right away for a custom fitting.

The new blue Freedoms are engineered with the same innovative, shock-absorbing and pain-relieving technology as other Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear®. Both feature a patented, conical steel coil in the heel, which is designed to absorb up to 50% of the impact from walking or running, while delivering a 40 to 50% energy return.

The Z-CoiL® spring-suspension system works in concert with a built-in orthotic support that distributes pressure evenly across the bottom of the foot, eliminating sore spots and relieving the pain typically caused by heel spurs or plantar fasciitis. Z-CoiL shoes also feature thick, resilient cushioning under the forefoot, plus a rocker-bottom sole that gently assists each step. Such total foot support and cushioning work together to reduce the shock of impact to the body. And less impact means less pain.

New Blue Freedom Features:

Excellent durability and breathability

Full-grain leather upper with nylon mesh

Breathable spandex lining

Padded tongue and extra-soft, felt-lined insole

Reflector accents for nighttime safety

Available in Women's sizes 6-9 and Men's sizes 9-12
The Z-CoiL® Freedom also comes in a wider range of sizes in Royal Blue/White; All White; All Black; and All Gray.

Thousands of Z-CoiL® customers have reported a significant reduction in foot, knee, leg, hip, and back pain, thanks to their unusual footwear. Jani K. from Santee, CA, writes, “I feel like I have my life back again! Z-CoiLs have not changed my three bad discs and fractured neck, but I can live with it now, whereas before I hated getting out of bed, knowing the pain would hit. Now I can walk in Disneyland with my grandkids."

Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear®: The Ergonomic and Economic Cushion in Hard Times

Wall Street Journal reports rise in number of pain patients due to stress as economic crisis worsens. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports most at-work pain sufferers cited back pain, arthritis pain, and other musculoskeletal pain. The Ergonomic Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear® helps reduce muscular stress and musculoskeletal pain.

Santa Fe, NM (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 14, 2009 -- In hard economic times, stress levels go up, muscles tighten and vulnerable people start feeling pain. One way to cushion the beating that bodies (and wallets) take when times are tough is to simply to wear the right shoes. Many people are working longer hours or taking on extra jobs to make ends meet, and when people spend that time on their feet, standing or walking on hard, unforgiving floors, the result can be devastating to health.

According to a recent interview in the Wall Street Journal* with Dr. Christopher L. Edwards, director of the Behavioral Chronic Pain Management program at Duke University Medical Center, they are seeing a rise in patients amid the current economic crisis. "There's a very strong relationship between the economy and the number of out-of-control stress cases we see." Muscular tension is the typical bodily reaction we see when someone is stressed. So if we walk around without coping with it, it takes a toll on our muscles. Over time this can lead to the chronic aches and pains associated with stress.

For people struggling with chronic pain due to heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, arthritis in knees and hips, or lower back pain, wearing Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear can help them to stay active and productive, for far less than the cost of doctor visits, pain medication, custom orthotics, or even surgery.

For only about $200 a pair, these shock absorbers for the body not only cushion the foot's impact with the ground by 50%, but also reduce fatigue by returning 40% of the energy! The durable construction of Z-CoiL shoes makes them last for years, and the heel coil assembly is designed to be replaced at a minimal cost, further extending the life of the shoe.

According to Charlene Chavez, a Registered Pharmacist in Gallup, NM, "Standing all day long had taken its toll on my feet and back. I was constantly in pain and I didn't know how much longer I would be able to work. Finally, I tried Z-CoiL shoes and have never been happier or more pain-free."

Pain experienced at work hurts productivity, to the tune of $61.2 billion per year, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association**. The majority of at-work pain sufferers cited back pain, arthritis pain, and other musculoskeletal pain as the principal causes of their lack of productivity.

Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear can be an excellent cushion in hard times, providing affordable health benefits that keep active people going strong.

*WSJ.com – Health Journal, March 17, 2009 -
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123724722718848829.html**JAMA, November 12, 2003—Vol 290, No. 18.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/Z-CoiL/pain_relief_shoes/prweb2320924.htm

Testimonial of the Month - April 2009

I was in your store on Sunday and bought a pair of Z-CoiL shoes with what I will admit was skepticism for fear of another snake oil remedy to help with my foot pain.

What I want to tell you is OH MY GOD!!! After only two days of wearing Z-CoiL shoes, my pain is almost 100% gone. All that is left is what I can only describe as a very slight, almost phantom discomfort I believe will disappear after my feet are given a chance to completely heal over the course of some time.

I am jokingly referring to this purchase as my ”miracle shoes.” They may look a little funny but it is worth it and anyone that wants to tease can stick it in their ear! I have been walking around in mild to severe discomfort for a couple of years.

Last year I went to a podiatrist who prescribed custom orthotics. He told me that if those did not work I was most likely looking at surgery (that may or may not work) to relieve my discomfort. For some reason “foot surgery” scared the hell out of me so I have been putting it off and living with the pain.

Then, last week I was listening to the Dr. Bob Martin radio show on KFYI and he gave your store and the product an unsolicited plug while discussing a foot problem with a caller. I thought to myself, “What do I have to lose? If they don’t work there is always the surgery option.” In closing, thank you, thank you, thank you! I have not been pain-free in a very long time.

Aside from the shoes, the owners at the Scottsdale store were also very friendly and quite helpful. Even though they have probably done this a thousand times or more they patiently explained the product without appearing disinterested and went the extra mile to make sure my difficult-to-fit feet were fitted properly.

Pleasantly surprised and eternally grateful,

Steve F.
Scottsdale, AZ

Lacing Techniques for a Proper Fit

Although the width, length, and size of your shoes are important, many people forget that lacing techniques are equally of value to ensure a proper fit. Many lacing techniques can be used to prevent injuries and to relieve foot problems and pain. Individuals with specific foot issues should follow lacing techniques specific to their foot characteristics to get a good shoe fit.

General Lacing Techniques:
Follow these general techniques from The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society:

• Loosen the laces as you slip into your shoes because this prevents unnecessary stress on the eyelets and the back of your shoes.


• Begin lacing your shoes closest to your toes, and pull the sets of eyelets, one at a time to adjust laces for a perfect fit.


• Shoes with a large number of eyelets make it easier to adjust laces for a custom fit.
  

Specific Tips for Shoe Types:

• Narrow feet: Start with the eyelets farthest from the tongue of the shoes and bring it up the side of the shoe.


• Wide feet: Use the eyelets closest to the tongue of the shoe because this provides for more space.


• Heel problems: By using every eyelet, make sure that the area closest to the heel is tied very tightly, while less tension is held near the toes. When you have reached the second to last eyelet on each side, start threading the lace through the top eyelet, making a small loop. Then, thread the opposite lace through each loop before tying it.


• Narrow heel and wide forefoot: Use two laces and thread through the top half of the eyelets and the other lace through the bottom half. The laces closest to the heel should be secured more tightly than the lace closest to the toes.

Time for a Tune-Up? They're Free!

Add life to your shoes and a spring in your step!

Pain can change the way you walk. For example, if your right heel hurts, you transfer your weight to your left foot. Then your hip starts feeling sore and your back hurts.

Specially trained Z-CoiL® distributors take all your aches and pains into account when they custom-fit you in Z-CoiL® shoes. Their goal is to have you on your way to feeling a lot better – maybe even by the time you walk out the door.

The problem is that pain can shift, and you cant anticipate how you will feel a month, six months, or a year after wearing our shoes. If your Z-CoiL® shoes don’t feel quite right any more, getting a simple footwear “tune-up” may do the trick and soon have you feeling comfortable on your feet again.

Z-CoiL® shoes are unique “equipment for the feet,” complete with moving parts. So just as you would take your car in for regular maintenance, we encourage you to do the same with your Z-CoiL® footwear. We want you to continue to get the best performance from your shoes and maintain the best fit possible. That’s why we offer free adjustments for the lifetime of your footwear.

Free Tune-Up Checklist

• We tighten your coils and inspect them for wear, damage, or fatigue.
• We can change or adjust the insoles and arches to ensure you are getting proper support.
• We watch how you walk in the shoes to determine whether other adjustments are needed.
• We ask you about any pain issues you are experiencing and re-adjust the shoes for maximum comfort.
• We polish the uppers to make your footwear look like new again.

Top ten tips for a proper shoe fit

In continuing with the conversation yesterday, here are the top 10 tips for getting a proper shoe fit provided by The National Institute of Health.

1. The size of your feet changes as you grow older so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
2. Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other, so fit your shoe to your larger foot.
3. Don't select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your foot.
4. Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes. Women should not wear a shoe with a heel higher than 2 1/4 inches.
5. During the fitting process, make sure there is enough space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
6. Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
7. Don't buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.
8. Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping - the shoes should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.
9. Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right. Then take them home and spend some time walking on carpet to make sure the fit is a good one.
10. The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, flexible material to match the shape of your foot. Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of skin irritations. Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery. Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on hard surfaces.

Our goal here at Z-CoiL is to provide the maximum amount of pain relief that our shoes can offer our customers. As mentioned yesterday, when Z-CoiL® shoes are properly fitted, they can provide substantial, if not complete, pain relief for many conditions affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back.

A Perfect Fit – Custom shoe fitting from Z-CoiL

More than 43.1 million Americans—one in every six persons—have trouble with their feet, mostly from improperly fitting shoes. We’re all susceptible to foot and ankle injuries, but we can reduce our risk by wearing properly-fitting shoes that conform to the natural shape of our feet.

Every customer interaction at a Z-CoiL® store begins with a proper shoe fitting (be sure to give yourself ample time). In addition, trained and authorized Z-CoiL® distributors are able to adjust our footwear in many ways to accommodate your special needs. When Z-CoiL® shoes are properly fitted, they can provide substantial, if not complete, pain relief for many conditions affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back.

Below is a general walkthrough of our fitting process:

Selecting the Appropriate Shoe
We will explain the design of the shoe, help you select the footwear that is most appropriate for your activities, and make sure the shoe is sized properly. Then you will be asked to spend about five minutes walking around the store to experience the “feel” of this unique footwear.

While you are walking, we will check your toe room, arch support, heel fit, and shoe width. We will also ask you to be specific about the pain you are experiencing so that we can focus on those issues.

Making Adjustments
Unlike most footwear on the market, Z-CoiL® shoes are adjustable. Once we examine the shape of your foot and the way you walk, we can make a variety of footwear adjustments to provide the maximum support and comfort possible—all while you wait.

We can adjust for flat feet, high arches, wide feet, bunions and corns, hammertoes, heel spurs, neuromas, and many other conditions that can be responsible for foot pain. We can also balance the shoes if you tend to over-pronate (feet roll in) or over-supinate (feet roll out).

If you are experiencing joint pain, you may have developed a pattern of walking that is putting too much pressure on the affected joint. In many cases, we can make adjustments to the footwear to relieve pressure on the joint.

Continuing Customer Care
Many of our stores maintain a “Fitting Card” for each customer that documents the adjustments made to their footwear. If they ever need to come in for an adjustment, the store has their fitting history on file.

As a valued Z-CoiL® customer, you will receive FREE fitting adjustments from any participating Z-CoiL® distributor throughout the country, for as long as you own your footwear.