Testimonial: Susan Rogers

I suffer with a disability known as "dropped foot" (also called "foot drop"). This is a result of a ruptured disc in my lower back, which has since been removed, but has left me with some lasting nerve and muscle damage, the worst of it being "dropped foot" on my left side.

I cannot lift my left foot at all and must concentrate on every single step I take. I walk with a limp and cannot run, jump, skip, or dance. Sometimes I stagger because I cannot support myself with my left foot. And because I also can't lower my body weight on the left foot, my whole left side takes an extra jolt every time I put that foot down when I'm walking.

It is jarring and painful and adversely affects everything from heel to ankle, knee, hip, and lower back. Chronic pain becomes a constant companion, and walking becomes an activity I want to do as little as possible, to avoid the pain. When I do walk, I must focus on each step to try to lessen the pain. I cannot walk along absent-mindedly, like most people do, or I will come down harder on the left side. Even with concentration, I could not avoid the limp and some pain, and after 10 years of this, I had developed a chronic pain in my left hip that kept me awake at night.

I would buy good running shoes, the ones with the most cushioning in the heel that I could find, and wear them until the cushion in the left shoe was mashed down from the pounding it had taken. The shoes would last two months at the most. I also own every gel and cushion insole out there.

Several weeks ago, my husband saw a colleague wearing [Z-CoiL® footwear] and asked her about them. She explained that she was wearing them because of knee and back pain and she said they helped her. He wondered if they would help me.

I contacted a dealer 29 miles away and he called headquarters in Albuquerque to inquire about any other people with drop foot who had been helped. I was encouraged when I learned that one gentleman with drop foot had great results. This encouragement was enough to get me beyond the negative Good Housekeeping review I had seen that was not very scientific or helpful. (more)

Press Release: Good Housekeeping Institute Fudged Facts On Z-CoiL Footwear To Media

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Had Nothing To Do With Evaluating Springy Shoes




April 11, 2005 - In February, the Good Housekeeping Institute published a video report regarding Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™. Their unfavorable story stated the springy soled shoes were unsafe on sticky surfaces and uneven terrain and could cause back strain.

In the report and the 2005 May issue of Good Housekeeping (Page 90), Dr. Stuart Hirsch was accurately presented as an expert in the medical field and Chair of the Council on Communications for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

But when the Good Housekeeping Institute submitted an article about their Z-CoiL report to King Feature Syndicate, a wire service that daily newspapers nationwide subscribe, Dr. Hirsch was omitted from the story:

"But the elevated heel might strain the back and increase arthritis in the knee, said the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons Communications Council." - Salt Lake Tribune - Business (03/16/2005)

An American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) representative tried unsuccessfully to contact the Good Housekeeping Institute to have the 120-year-old women's magazine issue a "media correction." The AAOS has never communicated with the Good Housekeeping Institute about Z-CoiL pain relief footwear or issued any official statement about the product. (NOTE: This paragraph was edited by Teena T. Purdiman, Manager, Public Relations, AAOS)

In March, using information from the Good Housekeeping Institute, WCBS-TV consumer news reporter Kirstin Cole (photo) stated in her story, "Are Z-Coils Z Answer For FootPain?," that Dr. Hirsch was WITH the "American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons."

This is not true.

Dr. Hirsch is a “member” of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Chair of the Council on Communications for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - a volunteer position. (NOTE: After fact checking this press release, Audrey Pass, Director, Communications, WCBS-TV, sent this one line e-mail from her Blackberry handheld wireless device: "Thank you Jack. We stand behind our story." My reply: Are you interested in contacting the AAOS?)

1) Why would the Good Housekeeping Institute embellish the facts to the media?
2) Why won't Good Housekeeping answer questions regarding their story?

Links, background information, unedited reader comments and interviews with medical professionals regarding the Good Housekeeping Institute Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™. controversy are available at the Z-Blog Reporter, a syndicated blog maintained by a multi-Z-CoiL shoe owner (6 pair) that is working towards getting several more styles for friends, family and himself.

NOTE: The Z-Blog Reporter is not associated with Z-CoiL or a Z-CoiL independent dealer. The focus of the daily online journal is on customer stories, customer satisfaction, community and adequate, fair media representation.

Seeing is Believing

Using an i-Step machine, I tested my own feet. I actually was surprised to see just how great these shoes are. Below are the results:

"'The introduction of computerized foot analysis systems in the early 90's brought the science of pressure and gait analysis to an exciting phase. Using this new technology, scientific studies demonstrated that there is a direct cause and effect relationship between unbalanced pressure distribution during the gait cycle and lower extremity pain in areas such as the knee, ankle, or foot.' (View Video)

The red areas are those with the most pressure - the blue areas are those with the least pressure.

For this test I first stood on the machine barefoot, the results show a large amount of pressure on my heel and the outside edge of my foot. I roll my feet to the outside, this is called Over Supination. This is a common problem associated with knee and foot pain.

The popular shoe I tested had only been worn for a month and still look brand new. The popular running shoe did nothing but distribute the pressure around the whole foot no real impact reduction.

Next, I put a gel heel pad in my shoe, this took some pressure off my forefoot but my feet still absorbed most of the pressure.

Finally the Z-CoiLs - really do I even have to say anything? The Z-CoiL Spring actually absorbed most of the impact. And the Z-CoiLs I did this test with are a year and a half old.

This truly shows how great this product is."

Jeremy Brock
Feel Good Footwear!
Bellevue, WA

Press Release: April is Foot Health Awareness Month – Pamper Your Feet With a Z-CoiL® Treat

Uniquely Engineered Footwear Brings Welcome Relief to Sore Feet

( Albuquerque, NM ) — Your feet take tremendous abuse. The impact of walking can deliver a force that is two to three times your body weight, and three to five times your body weight when running! No wonder the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has declared April to be Foot Health Awareness Month, to focus attention on this often-neglected, yet hardest-working part of the body.

“I have been off work for over one year, now going on two because of plantar fasciitis. I have had three different podiatrists as well, numerous orthotics, then I was given a series of shots, from cortisone to steroids and even shots to dissolve nerves in my heels. Nothing worked!” says Jovonne Rodriguez of San Bernardino, CA. By chance she discovered Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™ and says the shoes have made all the difference.

For millions of people like Jovonne who suffer from foot pain, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, or lower back pain, finding relief from pain may be as simple as finding the right footwear.

“Your Z-CoiL® shoes are a miracle!” Jovonne adds. “Now I actually look forward to going to the mall or to any function just to walk around. I don’t go places and just sit anymore; I’m up and moving or socializing. People don’t realize that they don’t have to go through life with foot pain. I can’t say enough about how your shoes have helped me.” (more)