Worldwide Spa Review Magazine - Z-CoiL's

By Jessica Skropanic

One disadvantage to being a biped is the tremendous weight and shock on the two small body parts - our feet - responsible for supporting the whole bulk of our weight. Our knees, hips, backs and necks suffer too. While our feet are incredibly efficient considering their use and abuse, why not give them a 'leg up'? Enter Z-Coil.

'The first thing I noticed was that my body kept bracing for impact that
didn't come!'

According to Z-Coil, in the 18th century the world started to make separate shoes for left and right feet, much to the chagrin of confused preschoolers. What seems an obvious necessity now was innovative then. In the mid-1980's, Al Gallegos, founder, chairman and inventor of Z-Coils, had an idea for a running shoe that makes as much sense as constructing a right shoe and a left shoe.

A runner, Gallegos suffered from the pain of common running hazards: heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and knee and back problems. Once while running his seven daily miles, he conceived of a way to drastically reduce the shock of repeated impact: insert a conical spring into the heel of a running shoe. After some experimentation with different springs, the result is the patented design behind Z-Coils.

When a colleague visited my office wearing a pair of Z-Coils, my initial reaction was that of most people: 'What's with the springy shoes?' As a back pain sufferer who's quick to extol the virtues of my rebounder, I was immediately curious. 'Is it like bouncing on a rebounder all day?' I asked. 'Are they just for people with pain?'

Since that afternoon, I have discovered that Z-Coils are by no means exclusively for people with injuries or chronic pain. There are mail carriers, nurses, delivery persons, and legions of other folks who stand or walk for hours each day who will defend their Z-Coils to the death. Many will wear no other shoes but Z-Coils, on and off of the job. And the company doesn't just make athletic shoes for hikers, runners and would-be slam-dunkers: sandals, work boots and clogs carry the Z-Coil name and patented technology. The shoes are also gaining popularity with vacationers who plan long sightseeing trips.

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Testimonial - Elizabeth Ortega and Belena Orillaneda

Pictured above is Elizabeth Ortega and Belena Orillaneda, who first made it into our store in October of 2004. Elizabeth is a sales associate who spends hours on her feet on concrete floors, resulting in severe heel pain, pain on the arches and also pain in the balls of the feet.

"I was experiencing pain on both feet," says Elizabeth. "I had spent hundreds of dollars on all types of shoes including Easy Spirit, Bass, Naturalizer, etc. Nothing worked. I just couldn't be on my feet for over 2 hours.

"Then one day, my friend told me about Z-CoiL shoes. I didn't believe her, but two weeks after my purchase, my foot pain was gone. I couldn't believe it... no more limping! I didn't have to limp anymore. I then was able to start exercising again on the treadmill. My friends were happy that once again I could join in on outings to malls, outlets, hiking, etc!

"I got my life back because of Z-CoiL's. I won't wear anything else. I am always recommending these shoes to people, especially those that work on concrete floors."

Belena is a driver for a local company and has to stand and walk for hours during the day, which also caused heel pain.

"I have to stand for 8 hours and walk on pavement. I had so much at my foot at the end of the day. One day, a customer came in and was wearing Z-CoiL shoes. I asked her about the shoes and where she got them. After buying all those shoes and inserts, I was willing to try anything!

"I bought a pair and after a week of wearing Z-CoiL shoes, the pain was gone. After a month, it was as if that pain story was a dream. Since then, I have been wearing my Z-CoiL shoes."

Both ladies came into the store today to purchase yet another pair of Z-CoiL's to add to their wardrobe!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Genie Bennett

Genie first came into our store in May of 2004 when she was purchasing her second pair of Z-CoiL's. Before she bought her first pair, she had issues with both her back and her knees, but her Z-CoiL's changed all of that. Since then, she has added a set of twins to her family!

"The most comfort notice that I experienced was when I was pregnant with my twins. The Z-CoiL's were a great help in counteracting the additional 90 pounds that I gained!

"When I got back to work, I tried wearing some non-Z-CoiL's for a day and regretted it that evening. I just bought my fourth pair and can't imagine wearing anything else!"

In fact, her whole family are Z-CoiL lovers, and when we were ringing up her sale, we realized that she had qualified for a free pair of Z-CoiL's due to our referral program! Congratulations, Genie!

Till later,
Caesar...

Happy Easter!

Due to the Holiday, we will be closed on Sunday, March 27 and will reopen on Monday, March 28! I hope everyone enjoys their Holiday.

Till later,
Caesar...

Interesting time in the store!

What a time we have had in the store recently! With the mailing we did to our customers on the sale and the new styles, we have had a lot of visits from tried and true Z-CoiL fans, which is where I have been getting all of the testimonials of late! I hope they are beneficial and that you can relate to a lot of the stories.

The last two days have been particularly interesting... Yesterday, I had a young lady come into the store who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, a condition that caused her muscles to weaken in one leg in particular. Of course, along with this, came pain in the leg and severe pain in the hip. We took a lot of time to fit her, using different strength coils on each shoe to allow her hips to level out and get rid of some of the limp that she was experiencing. She was ecstatic! Her pain had lessened significantly and when she walked, she no longer had a severe dip on the leg that was weakened. She couldn't believe it and said that it was the first time that the pain was so little in years.

I also had a gentlemen that we fit a few weeks ago come in for another adjustment. He's a tough one, because he is very tall, has back problems and has severe pronation. The pronation causes a bone to stick out on one side of his foot and get sore on the orthotic. He has been in several times, but I think we have it this time! His back has been feeling much better since he started wearing the Z-CoiL's and he is now taking a mile walk in the morning with his wife, who owns 5 pair of Z-CoiL's. The thing is that he did not give up, and has allowed us to work with him to get it right because he believed in what the Z-CoiL's could do!

Then today was the frustrating one... A lady bought some Z-CoiL's on Saturday and returned them today. She has foot pain, and when she was in the store, they felt great. She started experiencing a little irritation in the arch, which we can easily adjust and remedy. She had her normal appointment with her doctor, and he said that she should not be wearing Z-CoiL's because they would make her feet worse! I asked if he had ever heard of them before and she answered no... So what's the deal? It turns out she is scheduled for surgery in a month on her foot, and there is a good possibility that she could get by without or at least postpone the surgery if the Z-CoiL's work for her. But she opted for the surgery and wouldn't even give us a chance to adjust them. I hope the surgery works out for her and is worth the recovery time.

Like I said, Interesting week...

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Betsy Waite

Pictured above in her new CloudWalkers is Betsy Waite from Texas. Betsy used to live in the San Jose area where she first came to our store. She and her husband are square dancers, and Betsy bought her first pair of Z-CoiL's at a square dance convention.

"Dancing on cement for 3 days and nights always left my legs aching," says Betsy. "I saw these shoes on a square dance caller and one had a booth at the convention. Several square dancers were converted that weekend! I bought a pair of the white CloudWalkers.

"I soon wanted a pair of the clogs and got the black ones. I didn't want to wear anything else, so I got another pair of clogs - white this time. A shoemaker put leather on the soles for dancing.

"I contribute my ability to walk further and dance longer to the 'spring' in my shoes! Thanks, Z-CoiL!"

Betsy is now the owner of 6 pair of Z-CoiL's and won't have anything else on her feet!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Kathleen and Joan McIntyre

Pictured above is Joan and Kathleen McIntyre, sporting their Z-CoiL Footwear. Kathleen McIntyre is a social worker that spends many hours a day on her feet in her job and on the way to work. Her knees were bothering her when she would walk, so she came into the store in September of 2004 to purchase her first pair of Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear.

"I walk 5 miles a day going to and from work," says Joan. "A friend recommended Z-CoiL's and I was sold as soon as I tried them on! I bought a pair of CloudWalkers and a pair of SideWinder Sandals. I wear them all the time.

"When my mother, Joan, started complaining about her hip, I lent her my sandals and within half of an hour, she was ready to get a pair of her own! I went with her and she bought two pairs, and I got a new pair too. We love our Z-CoiL's! Caesar and his staff at EZ Shoes are the greatest!"

Now, Kathleen doesn't have to share her Z-CoiL's and her mother Joan is on the way to a pain free day.

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Earl and Kathi Levin

Earl an Kathi Levin were one of our first customers, buying their first pair of Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear in October of 2003. Earl had been suffering from lower back problems and Kathi had hammertoe and neuromas. Both are retired and living in a golf and country club area in San Jose.

"I have had Z-CoiL shoes for 18 months," says Earl, "and have worn them every day. I have lower back problems so I couldn't stand in one spot for very long. This is an issue since I also ring English Hand Bells where I have to stand and reach out over tables for extended periods of time.

"Without Z-CoiL's, I could not possibly do that any longer. I can't begin to say how wonderful these shoes have been. I walk every day and always wear my Z-CoiL's!"

Kathi just had foot surgery to correct a few issues with her foot. She has been hobbling around in a walking cast. "Since I have had this cast and have not been able to wear my Z-CoiL's, my hip is starting to bother me," says Kathi. "A couple more weeks and I will be able to wear them again!"

While they were in the store, Earl had his heels replaced and purchased a pair of Freedom 2000's for the summer. Kathi also picked up a pair of sandals anticipating the warm weather and her ability to get out and about again!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Diane Noren

Diane came into our store in November of 2004. She has very bad arthritis plus Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Restless Legs Syndrome is an overwhelming urge to move the legs usually caused by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs. It can flair up in the evenings and cause loss of sleep and fatigue. She uses a cane and was walking very slow when she came into the store in November.

"My feet are always painful to touch because of the Restless Legs Syndrome," says Diane. "Even having something touch the top of my foot was very painful. I have worn Birkenstock Sandals for years."

"I bought a pair of Zueco Clogs and they are now the only shoes I wear! I wore a pair of Birkenstocks one evening and couldn't wait till I got home to put my Z-CoiL's back on! I'm Buying SideWinder Sandals and Mary Janes (Taos Clog Straps) today."

Diane's gait is now much quicker than before and she is in a lot less pain that she was just 4 months ago. She had a big smile on her face, which was great to see! Yet another firm believer in Z-CoiL's.

Till later,
Caesar...

Who Says Z-CoiL's are Ugly??

Not in Sarah's eyes... The picture above was taken by Sarah Schoenberg, a young and talented artist from Northwest Washington State. In viewing Sarah's portfolios, she has quite a talent in capturing moments in time and turning them into masterpieces! You can read more about Sarah and view other portfolios she has done, including additional pictures of Z-CoiL's at http://www.artistnow.com/Sarah/view-profile-photo/folder-17896.html

Thanks for sharing your incredible photos, Sarah!

Till later,
Caesar...

Don't be fooled...

Word is getting around that having coils on your shoes is a GOOD THING! But don't be fooled by the competition! There are other shoes out there that have coils, or look like they have coils, but nothing compares to the impact reduction of Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Debbie and Ken Mogg

Pictured above are Debbie and Ken Mogg, who first started wearing Z-CoiL's in December of 2003. Debbie had been dealing with plantar fasciitis and had undergone foot surgery. She works as a nanny and spends a lot of time on her feet chasing after kids.

"I had just gotten my cast removed from surgery on my foot due to plantar fasciitis," says Debbie. "I purchased a very expensive pair of shoes made for people suffering from plantar fasciitis and after wearing them for 1 week, my feet were killing me!"

"I saw someone with Z-CoiL CloudWalkers on and she told me how much they helped her. I went and bought my first pair the next day and that is all I ever wear! I own 4 pairs and I never have feet problems any more. I bought a pair for each of my parents because they suffer from knee and ankle problems and now that's all they wear too! We're a Z-CoiL Family!"

Ken has had many issues with his knees and works in construction, which again is a very demanding job on the body.

"I wear them every day and they help tremendously," said Ken. "I don't have them on right now because I have worn off the tread in the front and will be getting them resoled."

Between Debbie, Ken and their parents, they own 9 pair. When they were in the store, I checked the referral list, and they have also referred a number of people, so Debbie walked away with another pair... only this time for free for reaching the magic number of 10 referrals who have purchased! Way to go, Debbie!

Till later,
Caesar...

Gift from a customer...

We had a person come into the store about 3 weeks ago who had severe issues with her feet and back. She had been in a wheelchair for a long period of time and after that had not wanted to even get out of bed due to the pain. We fit her with a pair of Z-CoiL's and she had some immediate relief!

Over the course of the next two weeks, she bought two more pair due to the success she was having. She told us that she used to sit at home and cry due to the pain... now she cries because she found these shoes and it had changed her life! She wanted to do something for us because we had helped her so much and asked if we had an old Z-CoiL shoe lying around. I happened to have one that was an experiment in dyeing that had gone awry, so I let her have it.

A couple of days later, she appeared in the store with the beautiful flower arrangement you see above that she had her mother make for the store! What a neat idea and a great gift! We really appreciate the acknowledgement of the work that we do here at EZ Shoes.

The real test for her is that she left for Europe today and will be gone for two weeks on vacation. We will have a full testimonial when she returns!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Paula Lewis and Joan McCarthy

Pictured above is Paula Lewis in her CloudWalkers and Joan McCarthy in her new SideWinder Sandals. Paula and Joan both had issues with their feet before they purchased their first pair of Z-CoiL's over 4 years ago. They came into the store today to purchase a pair of sandals for each of them and also a pair of the Lo-Cut Dress Boots for Paula.

"We suffered from plantar fasciitis and tried doctor ordered orthotics with little success," says Paula. "We saw the Z-CoiL's and made the jump! The plantar fasciitis is gone and we no longer need custom orthotics."

"We can now walk miles without foot, knee or hip pain," adds Joan. "We call them our 'Tigger' shoes, since we can bouncey, bouncy, bounce!"

"We appreciate the care and concern of the San Jose Store, EZ Shoes. They are always willing to spend the time to get just the right fit and style I want and need," says Paula. "The original pair from 4 years ago shows no sign of wear or deterioration. The enclosed heel also works well on my motorcycle."

Since both Paula and Joan are retired, the have the luxury to spend their summers doing fun and interesting things. The reason they were purchasing the sandals is because they will be running a summer program on the American river for rafting tours and needed a shoe that would hold up with the constant abuse of the water. Sounds like a great time to me!

Till later,
Caesar...

EZ Shoes Ranks 18th for 2004!

Thanks to all of our loyal customers, EZ Shoes ranked 18th out of 208 dealers worldwide for sales in 2004! What an incredible feat considering we went from nothing with little exposure to one of the top 25 dealers in a short 16 months!

And this is just the beginning... We won't rest until you can't go anywhere without seeing a pair of Z-CoiL's! And we are making progress...

The other day, I had to run some errands before I opened the store. I had four stops, and at each store, I ran into a person wearing the footwear, and two of them were talking to complete strangers about their experiences in Z-CoiL's!

So, once again, I thank all of our loyal customers for making this possible!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Peggy Bulgar

Peggy first came into our store in November of 2004. She teaches preschool, so besides being on her feet all day, she also has to "stoop to their level", so to speak! The combination of the two caused issues with her feet and her back.

"I have loved my Z-CoiL's!" says Peggy. "I am on my feet all day long with pre-school children and I can now keep up with them! I have had pain for a long time in both my feet and my back. These shoes have been a blessing for me. Thank you so much!"

Peggy loves her shoes so much that she has most of the other preschool teachers in Z-CoiL's for their comfort and to resolve the issues they were dealing with. She definitely is a Z-CoiL advocate!

Till later,
Caesar...

How About a Seascape?

Another whimisical creation by Allison for those bright Spring days!

Till later,
Caesar...