A Step In Time LLC

Fairbanks Woman Makes 350-Mile Journey to Find Pain Relief after Years of Suffering

2005-06-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

Z-CoiL® Footwear Quickly Becoming First Choice for Pain Relief

( Anchorage, AK ) – Millions of Americans suffer chronic pain, which can be debilitating and life-altering. According to an April 2005 poll by ABC News, USA Today and the Stanford University Medical Center, a little less half of the adult respondents have experienced pain in the last two weeks, and nearly four in 10 do so on a regular basis. A majority reported knee and back pain to be the most common.

For Fairbanks, Alaska, resident Leona Allridge, chronic pain was part of her daily routine, as she suffered from pain in her feet, back, and legs for many years. Pain was a powerful motivator for Leona, as she tried many remedies during the years, with no success. On a friend’s advice, Leona found an amazing pair of shoes that has made a complete change in her life.

Leona made the 350-mile journey to Anchorage to find Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™, at The Shoe Box, owned and operated by Mary DeZarn.

“I fell in love with the Z-CoiL® shoes as soon as I put them on,” she says. “Instead of experiencing pain within 30 minutes of being on my feet, I was able to walk for hours without any discomfort.”

Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™, unlike any other footwear on the market, is specifically engineered to help alleviate foot, leg, and back pain. According to hundreds of already satisfied customers, Z-CoiL® shoes have helped reduce the pain from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, arthritis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, chronic lower back pain, just to name a few conditions.

The unique footwear has three special components that combine to provide impact reduction, cushioning, and overall comfort. Z-CoiL® footwear features a conical shaped coil that compresses to reduce the shockwaves traveling through the body with each step. Built in each shoe is a rigid full-length orthotic that runs from the heel to the metatarsal heads, providing overall midfoot support. Superior forefront cushioning also lessens the impact of each step and helps provide comfort.

“These shoes are so comfortable that I absolutely hate to take them off. They are more comfortable than any other shoe, and even more comfortable than going barefoot!,” Leona says. “From now on, only Z-CoiL® shoes for me.”

Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™ is available in Alaska only at The Shoe Box 4240 Old Seward Highway, A-15, in Anchorage. To contact Mary, call 907.336.7463.

Oh, My Aching Feet! - Northwest Woman's Magazine

2005-05-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

by Karen Buck, RN

Spike heels were the first to go. Then, even the low sensible heels that old-time schoolteachers wore became too painful. The last attempt was an athletic shoe—plenty long, and as wide as a barge. Maybe this sounds familiar, but your feet continue to hurt. Why? What can be causing all this pain?

Our feet take a real beating. Each day they bear several thousand pounds of pressure as we walk, run, dance, jump, or exercise. This, combined with the wrong shoes or heredity, can produce problems and pain. Here are some of the most common foot problems and some suggestions for help.

Corns A corn is really just an ordinary callus on steroids. Corns form from unrelieved pressure over a bony spot, like at one of the toes’ knuckles. They will gradually go away if the pressure is relieved. Never try to cut them out! Not only is it dangerous, it could lead to a life-threatening infection.

In some cases there is a tiny extra bump of bone on a toe joint. Unless this bump of bone is removed, or you decide to go barefoot for the rest of your life, the corn will never completely go away. (more)

A Step In Time LLC - Contact Information

2005-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Lisa Murdock and Rhonda Hagenstein

We are located in the city of Spokane Valley, Washington — near the intersection of Argonne Road and Trent Avenue - next to the Pizza Pipeline.

When you purchase a pair of Z-CoiL® footwear, we make sure you have the proper fit. We take the time to adjust the coils, specifically for your step. Our personal service to you is unmatched in the industry.

A Step In Time
9411 East Trent Ave. (map)
Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Mon. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Phone: (509) 891-7776
FAX: (509) 891-8776
Email: astepintimellc@yahoo.com

Testimonial: Susan Rogers

2005-04-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2005-04-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

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

2005-04-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

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

2005-04-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

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)

Testimonial: Bill F. Jones

2005-03-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

We were in the Kentucky hills this last August, specifically at the site of the Battle of Camp Wildcat. This is a very rough area, with sheer cliffs, steep hills, lots of trees, practically no roads and only rocky, dirt paths. It has not changed appreciably since 1862. There is one trail that leads through the hollow and up the mountain spine to the top, where the Union forces had dug trenches (which are still there).

Four of us started on the 3½-mile trail. Two dropped out at the one-mile point; the other two, including me, went all the way to the top. This picture of me was taken there, and gives you an idea of the terrain. Unfortunately, there is so much broken ground, leaves, rocks and sticks, that you can't even see the shoes.

But since the most frequent question I get on your shoes is, "Don't they make you unsteady?" it is nice to show you what kind of ground you can cross with these shoes, and they actually are more stable than conventional shoes due to the firm heel support. . . . I enjoy telling people just how versatile and effective these shoes are and being able to prove it with the little story above.

I have been wearing Z-CoiL® [footwear] now for something like two years and find they hold up very well - I haven't even had to replace the heels, which I hear is unusual. Even more, I am finding that when I am not wearing Z-CoiL® [footwear], my back and foot problems are much less severe. While I wouldn't say the Z-CoiL® [shoes] are healing these problems, I do feel that the rest and support they give do help in the healing process.

Bill F. Jones
Orange, CA

Testimonial: Lora Anderson

2005-02-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

As a Radio City Rockette, I rehearse six hours a day in high heels! There is nothing better than slipping on a pair of [Z-CoiL ] clogs after doing our world-famous eye-high kicks! Lora Anderson

Lora Anderson, dancer, is excited to be a performing with her first ever modern dance company. With a B.S. in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University, Lora has danced professionally for 7 years and toured the United States, Europe, and Asia. She kicks up her heels with the Radio City Rockettes in NewYork City, but resides in Los Angeles where she has danced at Disneyland and Universal Studios. Some favorite musicals that she has performed in are A Chorus Line, Will Rogers Follies, Sweet Charity and Jesus Christ Superstar. Lora is a certified Pilates instructor and loves to train dancers, athletes and people from all walks of life.

Newsweek Article - Kicking It With the Rockettes (December 2004)

Renown Computer Author and Columnist John Dvorak Sports Z-CoiL's!

2005-02-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

"John Dvorak, a renown author and columnist, has recently been fitted with a pair of Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear! John is a current PC Magazine Columnist writing Inside Track, an essay and a weekly online column. These articles are licensed around the world. Also a weekly columnist for CBSMarketwatch, Info! (Brazil) and BUG Magazine (Croatia). John has written over 4000 articles and columns as well as authoring or co-authoring 14 books. He was the 2003 Award winner of the American Business Editors Association's national gold award for best online column of 2003.

CeBit 2004 Photo Essay: T-Mobile had a slew of showgoers wearing this "Just Relax" visor and headset. I don't know what went on with this campaign, but it caused everybody to want to be T-Mobile salespeople. Ommmmmmmmm! John Dvorak

John spends a lot of time on his feet, especially when he attends the various conferences and computer shows, like CeBit that is coming up in Germany and needed something that will provide him comfort at those gruelling affairs.

So, check out his feet the next time you see him at a convention!

Caesar Snee
EZ-Shoes

PRESS RELEASE: Z-CoiL Unveils Six New Springy Soled Shoe Styles

2005-01-27T06:49:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE: Z-CoiL Unveils Six New Springy Soled Shoe Styles

Now There Are More Fashion Choices In Getting a Spring In Your Step

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) January 27, 2005 -- Today, EZ-Shoes, an independent Z-CoiL pain relief footwear dealer, is happy to announce that they are one of the first retail outlets in the country to offer six new stylish springy soled shoes to individuals that suffer from back, leg or foot pain in the South Bay Area.

Several of the styles (Taos Zip, the Bone SideWinder Sandal, the Taos Strap and the Zueco Strap) were produced to test their marketability - meaning that if customers buy them and provide positive feedback, they will be put into the full line of production.

The brown/tan Men's SideWinder Sandal and the Women’s Lo-Cut Dress boot (photo) are a Limited Edition – the pain relief footwear will not be offered again once these styles sell out.

"We have had a great demand for a more dressy style for both men and women and Z-CoiL Corporate listened!" said Caesar Snee, owner of the authorized Z-CoiL San Jose store. "We have had great reception of the new styles. The "Mary Jane" style for the women fits well and holds onto the heel better than the traditional clog. It also is cut lower in the front for people who have a high instep and can't fit into other styles."

click title for more

Z-CoiL Footwear : Hand Painted Designer Z's now at EZ Shoes!!

2005-01-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

Z-CoiL Footwear : Hand Painted Designer Z's now at EZ Shoes!!

Hand painted Taos Clogs by Allison Snee. See more pictures of Allison's bright and fun wearable art.

A Step Above Footwear, LLC: Customer Testimonial

2005-01-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

I have worn the Z-coil shoes for about three months.

I find the black Freedom 2000 very comfortable - no jarring on the heel when running slowly.

People comment that I look taller.

I appreciate how well made they are, which indicates they will last a long time.

The owner of A Step Above in Santa Rosa really knows her shoes.
She adjusted mine in less that five minutes because one of my feet were pointing inward. I have "hammer toes" and got a size larger. They have felt fine ever since. I wear them hiking and walking in town.

Three of my friends with foot problems bought them after I told them how comfortable they were.

Robert Coulombe
Santa Rosa, CA

Z-CoiL Footwear : San Jose Shark's Mark Smith in Z-CoiL's!

2004-12-27T17:36:00.000-08:00

Z-CoiL Footwear : San Jose Shark's Mark Smith in Z-CoiL's!

Z-CoiL Footwear : San Jose Shark's Mark Smith in Z-CoiL's!

Mark Smith, center for the San Jose Sharks, is the latest celebrity in Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear! Mark came into our store on Saturday to buy a pair of Nikes for training purposes, which we do not carry. He tried a pair of Z-CoiL's on and took them for a run outside and was very impressed in the amount of impact reduction that is provided. After a couple of slight adjustments, he was on his way!

Till later,
Caesar...
EZ-Shoes, San Jose, CA

Goody 2 Shoez Waco, TX: Testimonials, Video Interview, Z-Circus Pix

2004-12-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

“My work week consists of 70 + hours per week. My feet hurt so bad at the end of the day that when I went to bed at night I had to prop my feet up on a pillow so that they did not touch the bed while I slept. I have always said that there is no way I would ever spend more that $100 on a pair of shoes but that all changed when tried on the Z-Coils. Now that I have been wearing Z-Coils I can sleep normal, and I do not have near as much pain in my feet and back.”

Kenneth B.
Teague, TX

“ I have plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma, I have had neuromas removed from one foot. I work 4-5 days per week 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM taking care of patients at the hospital. I have noticed that since I have been wearing Z-Coils I have been able to continue to work hard, I have been able to keep up my pace and still have energy at the end of the day. They do make my life a lot better. I wear them all of the time.”

Kay O.
Robinson, TX

Video: News Segment November 2004
Photo: Z-Coils at the Circus

New Footwear Product Providing Pain Relief for a Myriad of Conditions

2004-11-17T07:04:00.000-08:00

Podiatry MGT

Z-CoiL® Pain-Relief Footwear™, based in Albuquerque, is a growing line of footwear dedicated solely to pain relief. Invented by Al Gallegos to initially help runners with numerous pain issues, the company quickly realized Z-CoiL customers were reporting pain relief for standard foot, leg and back pain-related ailments caused by disease, injury or overuse. Z-CoiLs have been slowly gaining ground with podiatrists as more patients discover the benefits.

Dr. Mark Lambert, D.P.M. at Pensacola Foot & Ankle Center in Pensacola, Florida and Dr. Timothy Young, D.P.M. at Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists of Issaquah (Photo), Washington have been using Z-CoiL Footwear with their patients for more than a year and are finding extraordinary outcomes. Dr. Ed Espe, a podiatrist in Bemidji, Minnesota has also experienced positive results with his patients.

“I can’t count the number of patients I have seen in the past twenty years with lower extremity problems due, at least in part, to their footwear. I am constantly on the lookout for innovations in footwear,” Dr. Espe says. “The Z-CoiL concept appears to be a potential breakthrough after years of gimmicky modifications to (mostly) athletic shoes. I can see great possibilities for our aging population to remain active for a longer period of time and for prevention of injuries in athletes.” The footwear is made with a rigid nylon and glass fiber UCBstyle prefabricated orthotic mounted on a coil spring at the heel to absorb impact and return some of the stored energy to the foot.

By Pam Trhlik, Communications
Manager, Z-CoiL Footwear

(To Read More, Click The Title)
(NOTE: The article is in .PDF format.)

Z-CoiL Testimonial of the Month: November

2004-11-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

After reading the recent Baltimore Sun story about Z-CoiL shoes, my wife Joann and I decided to visit Coil Heaven in Laurel, Maryland, and see what the fuss was about. I mark that down as one of the wisest decisions we have ever made. I am 62 years old with a bum knee, and in the past year was diagnosed as having a herniated disc that was pressing against the sciatic nerve and causing me several problems, such as numbness and at times loss of function in my right calf. My wife has had back problems at times, which would result in her being required to take pain pills and rest. Her biggest problem was standing on her feet over 1/2 hour and walking any distances. This is where Z-CoiL footwear comes into the picture.

Once we entered Coil Heaven we were greeted by the most energetic, professional and knowledgeable sales persons I have ever met. Ms. Kathryn Jo Ottman explained the concept and design of these shoes and showed us several pairs and styles. We tried several pairs on and walked around to test them. To make a long story short, these shoes are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever had on my feet. Since I have been wearing them, I have not had a single problem with my back, knees or feet. I now walk everywhere and just hate to take them off for the night. My wife is ecstatic that she can now walk around our development with ease, stand on her feet for longer periods of time and no longer requires pain pills for her back.

These shoes are truly amazing, but to really give them a test, my wife and I visited our grandchildren in Ocean City last week. Now you know when you have two little boys, one three and the other five, you must walk the boardwalk. Not only did we walk the length of the boardwalk, but at times carried one or both grandchildren. We even outlasted my daughter and son-in-law. All this because of these shoes. They are absolutely wonderful and I will never give them up. My wife loves them so much she is going back to Coil Heaven to order the high tops for winter.

To add one more item to our satisfaction list is Ms. Kathryn Jo Ottman. What a delight to have met her. She truly believes in this product and it shows. I can honestly say we bought these shoes not only because they felt good on our feet at the store, but because Ms. Ottman just won us over.

Thank you Z-CoiL and Ms. Kathryn Jo Ottman.

Joe and Joann Elwood
Havre De Grace, Maryland

Address and Contact Information

2004-10-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

9411 E. Trent Avenue (Map)
Spokane, WA 99206
Phone: (509)891-7776
E-Mail: Rhonda Hagenstein or Lisa Murdock