Join us at the Arthritis Expo September 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM!

Do you have arthritis and have you been wondering if there is some gadget out there that could make your mornings a little easier, or for that matter, your afternoons and evenings too? Maybe you are wondering if there is a pillow or a mattress or some special bedding that could make your nights more comfortable. Wondering if a scooter might be something to consider in your future? Wondering what car might have the best comfort and joint protective features for you? And how about that footwear that reduces the impact by 50% reducing the shock that your body has to endure? Of course, I mean Z-CoiL's!

Then you want to mark September 17 on your calendar now and plan to be at the Santa Clara Convention Center for the Arthritis Foundation’s first Arthritis Expo. This event will be open to the public and will be filled with exhibitors, including EZ Shoes, offering information and free demonstrations of many of their products.

We will have shoes to try on so you can get an idea of what benefit you will get out of our remarkable footwear! You can print out a coupon that is good for free admission by clicking here!

Hope to see you there!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Joanna Snyder

Joanna first came to us in September 2003 suffering from arthritis in the feet, knees and hips. Joanna is a dog walker and in her profession, she must be on the go constantly. Her pain was severely impacting her ability to do her work.

"I had been told by the arthritis specialist to expect knee replacement surgery in a few years," says Joanna. "I also had trouble walking because of osteo-arthritis in both feet.

"After 2 years in Z-CoiL's, I can honestly say that I can now walk dogs everyday, can stand for long periods of time and have almost NO PAIN! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" concludes Joanna.

Joanna was visiting our store to buy her third pair of Z-CoiL's which were a pair of Brown Desert Hikers (on the counter in the back of the picture.) She's saving them for winter!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Rick MacWilliams

Rick MacWilliams is a laser engineer who has knee pain and a compound fracture of the lower back disc. He first came into our store in November 2004 to see if he could get some relief.

"You can really tell the difference when you go for a walk in your slippers or old shoes compared to the Z-CoiL's that reduce the impact significantly!" says Rick. "I have been wearing them every day and also take the dog for a walk 2 miles each night and have not had the normal shoe related knee and back problems.

"I just had heel replacements [on my Z-CoiL footwear] that put me back into alignment and didn't have to get a whole new shoe, just the heel pads! Great customer service and knowledge also," concludes Rick.

We pride ourselves on our customer service, so if you have any knee or back issues, come on in and see if we can make a difference in your life also!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Larry Mitchell

Larry Mitchell child proofs homes and has suffered from plantar fasciitis and a torn ACL. In his line of work, he is on his feet a lot plus constantly moving throughout the house. He first came into our store in December of 2004 to see if we could help his issues.

"After a recommendation from a friend who had a bad back and a heel spur, I tried a pair on and thought I had gone to heaven!" says Larry. "My painful heel was gone and as I continued to wear the shoes, my back and knee felt significantly less painful.

"I'm on my feet almost all day and I bought a third pair today to umpire fast-pitch softball games pain-free.

"The staff at EZ Shoes was patient and adjusted the heel and arch so I felt comfortable as soon as I left the store. I not only feel better - I actually smile more now as well!" concludes Larry.

Good for the body, good for the soul... if you are in pain, your whole demeanor is affected, and in Larry's case, a little pain relief went a long way!

Till later,
Caesar...

Dan Puts Z-CoiL's To The Test!

Dan Crotty is an adventurous type who first came to us with knee and foot issues back in December 2003. He was going on a hike at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and he had to hike 70 miles in 10 days with his scout troop and his son. Dan wasn't sure he could make it. We received a postcard from him at Philmont that simply said "I hiked 70 miles in 10 days and had a great time!" He had to have someone take a picture of him on top of Mt. Baldy!



Well, he was back on the road again, and we received an email from him yesterday.

"Hello. I recently vacationed in Ireland, and I wore my Z-Coil tennis shoes the whole time for sightseeing. Many people noticed the shoes, and I few people asked me about the shoes. We saw tourists from several European countries.

"I have attached a photo of myself wearing the shoes on a hill above the Ailwee Cave in the Burren. The Burren is an area in County Clare that is extremely rocky after centuries of erosion.

"Thanks again, I had a great vacation, and my feet felt fine! The shoes are great!"



I cropped the picture some to be able to include it here and still see Dan! Click here to see the full panoramic shot of the area he was hiking. Pretty amazing territory!

So you can see, stability is not an issue with Z-CoiL's!

Till later,
Caesar...

Anniversary Celebration a Huge Success!

We have had a great turnout for our event! It was nice to renew acquaintances with the people we have been able to help plus add new people to the Z-CoiL Family. We sold a lot of shoes and ate too much food...

For those of you that came in during some of our busiest times, especially Sunday, I apologize for any wait that you had, but our goal is to ensure we have a great fit and sometimes that can take time.

Of course, I wanted to get pictures of the mobs, but that's when we are so busy fitting we forget to do it, so you will have to suffice with just a picture of the outside!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Charlotte Hamilton

Pictured above is Charlotte Hamilton and Andrea Connell. Charlotte is a nurse who suffers from degenerative disc disease of the lower back. When she first came into our store, she was in pain and had to find some way to remedy it if she was to keep working.

"I have back pain and heel pain when I am on my feet all day," says Charlotte. "I work 10 hour 4 days a week and the hospital floors are cement. I thought I would have to give up my occupation because of my back pain and heel pain.

"Z-CoiL Shoes have given me a new lease on life! I work 10 hour days without 'pain' and I smile a lot because of my Z-CoiL shoes! I tell everyone about them and now 3 other nurses in my department wear them and one doctor.

"Thank you for giving me a new lease on life! P.S. I did 2 marathons in my Z-CoiL's and smiled all the way!" concludes Charlotte.

Charlotte was in the store purchasing a new pair of Anniversary Z-COiL's and she also brought her friend Andrea, so she could also purchase a pair. They will be heading to Africa next year and wanted to be prepared!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Shawn and Shawnee Grossman

Shawnee and Shawn are recently opened up a pizza restaurant and after the first week, realized that they were not going to survive on their feet all day without some help!

"My husband and I opened our restaurant in January, 2005," says Shawnee. "We would end each day in tears from the pain shooting through our legs after being on our feet 12+ hours each day.

"That has ended! We can pull a double shift wearing our Z-CoiL's and still have the energy to go out dancing. My lower back pain is gone and my husband's posture has straightened.

"We are purchasing our second pair this month because we wanted a pair to wear outside of the restaurant.

"When I think back to the pain we used to endure, I can't be happier that I discovered Z-CoiL's. We got our lives back with our first pair!" Shawnee concludes.

So, you can see, they really make a difference when you are on your feet for those long shifts.

Till later,
Caesar...

Anniversary Celebration Sept 1-5, 2005!

For a decade, Z-CoiL® Footwear has been providing pain relief for millions of people, allowing them to lead normal, productive, pain-free lives. EZ Shoes in the Bay Area is proud to have been a part of this mission for the last two years.

Through the use of a patented coil spring placed in the heel of the shoe, Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™ reduces the impact on the body by 50% and provides a 40-50% energy return. By reducing the impact, the pressure on the feet, legs, knees and back is significantly reduced thus relieving inflammation and pain. People who suffer from arthritis, plantar fasciitis, lower back issues, knee issues and hip issues all benefit from this technology. Nearly 1 out of 3 adults suffer from arthritis which limits them in their daily routines, and Z-CoiL® Footwear has played a major part in assisting them with their quest for a pain-free life.

EZ Shoes is joining Z-CoiL® in the celebration of this milestone with an Anniversary Event in our store from September 1-5 with refreshments and a time to renew the friendships we have made with the thousands of people that we have been able to assist. A new limited edition shoe (pictured above) will be available for purchase and a percentage of each sale of this shoe will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation.

We hope to see you in the store!

Till later,
Caesar...

Posture and Z-CoiL's

I had a customer come in the other day and tell me that her Z-CoiL's had also fixed her chronic headaches! Hmmm, I thought to myself... why would this be? It finally dawned on me that the foot bone's connected to the leg bone, the leg bone's connected to the hip bone... Well, you know the song! It turns out that when this woman first came into our store, her posture was horrible. She had started out with plantar fasciitis, which caused her to limp. The limp caused her hip and lower back to hurt because she was leaning forward and to the side as she walked to try and hurry through her step and take pressure off of the foot. This caused the muscles in her whole back to tense up, all the way through her neck, which in the end caused the headaches!

It is amazing what good posture can do for your overall health. Z-CoiL's change the way you walk and stand. When you walk and stand improperly you put pressure and stress on many body structures in your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. Z-CoiL's will tip your hips slightly forward and put your back up straighter, because you are properly supported under your skeletal system. It is amazing to see the instantaneous change in many people's posture when they first walk in Z-CoiL's! It happens daily in our store. I even had one of our senior customers tell me that he can breathe better!

So, stand up straighter with less pain, walk better, and feel younger with a pair of Z-CoiL's!

Until later,
Caesar...

Company Honors Inventor and Founder Alvaro Z. Gallegos with 10th Anniversary Signature Shoe

(I-Newswire) - ( Albuquerque, NM ) – Ten years ago, Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™ came on the scene, dramatically changing the way thousands of Americans manage their foot, leg, and back pain. Now, to celebrate the visionary creation of inventor Alvaro Z. Gallegos, the Z-CoiL Footwear company is releasing a special, limited-edition Z-CoiL® 10th Anniversary Signature Shoe. This one-time-only style will go on sale nationwide on September 1, 2005, and will be available only while supplies last.

Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™, specifically engineered to relieve foot, leg, and back pain, is a growing force in the pain-relief industry. The shoes are designed with three special components that work together to provide exceptional support, cushioning and impact reduction.

Each shoe features a built-in rigid orthotic, which runs from the heel to the metatarsal heads, helping to equalize pressure distribution and support the foot. At the forefoot, the shoes provide four times more cushioning than popular running shoes, as tested by Sandia National Laboratories. Unique to Z-CoiL® footwear is the visible conical-shaped coil under the heel. This tempered coil compresses with each step, helping to reduce pressure and the rate of impact while improving ankle stability.

More than 20 years ago, Al began toying with the idea of developing a special shoe with a spring in the heel to help reduce his own chronic foot, knee and back pain caused by years of long-distance running. In 1995, with the help of his son Andrés Gallegos, Z-CoiL’s president and CEO, the first marketable coil-based shoe went on sale in Albuquerque, called the Z-Tech Recoil. Further engineering and design improvements ultimately resulted in the current Z-CoiL® line of footwear, which paved the way for corporate growth in 2001.

The Z-CoiL® 10th Anniversary Signature Shoe is reminiscent of Al’s original “Z-Tech” shoe in terms of its colorful style, but is reconfigured with the current Z-CoiL® design, and features Al’s signature stitched on the back of the heel. “Z-CoiL is a realization of my father’s dream and years of perseverance to help others who are in pain,” says Andrés. “I cannot think of a better way to honor him than through this special shoe.”

“Z-CoiL® footwear is truly life-changing footwear,” Andres adds. “We have thousands of customers who share their amazing testimonials about how the footwear put them back into the game of life because of Al’s invention.”

Approximately 200 distributors now carry the footwear in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit the Z-CoiL website at www.zcoil.com to find a footwear distributor near you, or call 800.268.6239.

Testimonial -Kristi Dolan

Pictured above is Kristi Dolan and her daughter, Kelsey. Kristi is an ophthalmic technician who first came into our store in May of 2004. She was suffering from feet problems, which ended leading to problems in her back and knees.

"My husband met a lady who was wearing them (Z-CoiL's) at work one day and he asked about them," says Kristi. "She gave such rave reviews that I came the next day and purchased a pair of white Freedom 2000's.

"Being on my feet 8 hours per day, it was either finding relief from being on my feet all day or getting a new job. Within a matter of a few months, all foot and back pain were gone! They are the greatest!" concludes Kristi.

She was in the store purchasing a second pair of Freedom's to add to her wardrobe. The only issue she said was that she had a whole closet full of shoes that did not get worn now!

Till later,
Caesar...

It's Anniversary Time!

I can hardly believe it... It's coming up on our two year anniversary! What makes it even more special is that Z-CoiL is celebrating their tenth anniversary! Z-CoiL has now been providing a decade of pain relief for millions of people, allowing them to lead normal, productive lives pain free.

Thousands of people have been through our doors and as you can read in our testimonials, their lives have been changed forever. I remember one of our first customers who thought I was nuts... She worked in the shopping center that we are in and said that there was no way we would survive the first year selling these "ugly" shoes. Instead of discouraging us, it actually added fuel to the fire, making us want to succeed even more, knowing that there were a lot of people we could help.

We are planning something special along with Z-CoiL to celebrate September 1st, so keep watching this space for more information!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Corvette Wallace

Corvette first purchased her Z-CoiL SideWinder Sandals about a year ago. She came into the store using a cane and suffering from leg, foot and back pain. These conditions led to weight gain, which only caused the problems to worsen. Corvette is on her feet all day working in a Pharmacy, so she needed something to help reduce the pain.

"Since purchasing my Z-CoiL's, I've lost weight, been able to walk everywhere, and work 9-12 hour days with energy to spare!" says Corvette. "Before, I was in such pain that I was using a cane and a great deal of pain medications. Not any more!" she concludes.

Corvette told us that she had not used her cane since a short time after she purchased Z-CoiL's and that she does not miss it one bit!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Lynn and Richard Bennett

Lynn and Richard Bennett first came into our store a couple of years ago and both were suffering from back issues. The Bennetts own a clock and novelty item store in Capitola, CA called Hour Place. Besides their store, they both work full time jobs, so they are kept quite busy!

Lynn is an Administrative Specialist for the local school district in Santa Cruz. She currently has three pair of Z-CoiL's which includes the pair of Black Taos Straps that she purchased today.

"I have suffered from back pain for years resulting from a back injury on the job," says Lynn. "I have been doing chiropractic care for the past 7-8 years. It had definitely helped but I still needed regular treatments.

"Since having my Z-CoiL's, I have only seen the chiropractor once or twice in the past couple of years! I am able to walk several miles and stand for long periods of time without pain," Lynn concludes.

Richard also works as a grocery clerk full-time and currently owns two pairs of Z-CoiL's.

"In the grocery business, I am on my feet 9 hours a day, and with a second job, my days are 14 hours long!" says Richard. "Since purchasing Z-CoiL's, I have had minimal to no back problems. I am able to stay on hard concrete floors for extended periods of time with no problems. Using store equipment (handtrucks, forklifts, etc.) is not a problem.

"I was a frequent visitor (once a week) to the chiropractor. Since my first purchase of Z-CoiL's nearly two years ago, I have seen the chiropractor 3 times for a routine adjustment. He asked to see the 'miracle shoes' that have taken away his income. I did with pride!" adds Richard.

They were on their way through town returning from a buying convention for their store, which was 3 days of walking on concrete floors for many miles. They commented that without the Z-CoiL's, they could not have done it!

If you are in the Capitola area, make sure you stop by and visit them in their store. They have many unique items that are great for the home or make wonderful gifts! You can visit their web site at www.hourplace.com.



Till later,
Caesar...

Watch this space!!

So, you might ask, "What am I watching for?" Well, I can't tell you yet... but I know you will like it! It's very, very special and people will be envious... Just a few weeks of suspense...

Till later,
Caesar...

What a Great Day!

Number one: I am alive, healthy, pain-free and doing something I love!
Number two: We had a lot of customers in the store today!
Number three: We made a whole lot of people much happier and in less pain than they were before they walked into the store!

What else can you ask for?

The customers today ran the gamut from foot issues to lower back issues to hip issues... In all cases today, the people felt much better than before they visited us! All of them had immediate relief while walking in Z-CoiL's. One person was amazed with the amount of cushioning that she felt and how it really reduced the impact on her back. Another thought we did something to her old shoes, because when she put them back on, they felt horrible, and she had always thought that they were the most comfortable shoes ever invented!

Can I guarantee that everyone that tries on a pair of Z-CoiL's will get some amount of relief immediately? No! But what I can guarantee is that we will do the best possible job to make you as comfortable as possible and relieve as much pain as possible so you can live a more normal, pain free life.

Until later,
Caesar...

Adidas 1

The Adidas 1 is the newest impact reduction footwear on the market retailing at $250. So, we decided to test them out to see how they performed against the Z-CoiL footwear. Adidas describes them as follows:

- Using a magnetic sensor beneath the heel, the adidas_1 monitors changes in impact, pace and ground condition 1,000 times per second.
- A tiny microprocessor, beneath the arch, is the brain of the shoe; capable of 5 million decisions every second; It reads the data from the sensor and uses it to figure out the level of cushioning you need.
- Then the microprocessor sends instructions to a small but powerful motor that adjusts the cushioning level to give you the optimal level of performance

Sounds great, right? Well, my 16 year old cross country track runner decided to put them to the test. Here's a brief synopsis of the shoe from Matt:

"I am a 16 year old cross country runner for Los Gatos High School who has experienced severe pain in my knees due to growing pains. The terrain that I ran was a combination of asphalt roads, running trails and mountain dirt trails. It varied from very flat to very steep with most of it being on hilly terrain. It has 5 different softness settings, so I set it on the softest to help with my knee issues.

"The shoe was much heavier than any of my other running shoes due to the extra weight of the magnet, spring, cable and microprocessor. The material on the shoe was very stiff and I received blisters in the heel and on the side of the ball of my foot the first time I ran in them. After some modifications of the heel and some point stretching on the ball, the blister issue was resolved. The front sole of the shoe, though, was stiff which made going up hill difficult. They did reduce the impact on my knees and reduce the pain while running.

"After 67 miles and less than two weeks, the right shoe started rattling and felt different than the left shoe. The magnet had come loose in the heel and the microprocessor was not sensing the impact correctly, causing issues with my right knee. I exchanged those for a new pair, made the same adjustments for the heel and ball of the foot and began the trial again. After 34 miles and less than one week, the left shoe was rattling and once again the magnet had come loose. This time, the shoe would constantly adjust itself from soft to hard to soft again while running! These wreaked havoc on my knees to say the least! It was decided not to try a third pair for fear of causing injury.

"I would not recommend these shoes to anyone!" concludes Matt.

As you can see, the shoe did not hold up. With the Z-CoiL's, we can replace and repair the heel if necessary. Also, the uppers of the Z-CoiL are much softer and can be stretched easily if necessary. We have no batteries nor microprocessors so the longevity of the shoe is greater and care of the shoe is much easier.

Revolutionize the shoe industry? I don't think so... at least not with the Adidas 1.

Till later,
Caesar...

Hip day!

Today was an interesting day in that all customers had hip issues!

The first person of the day had already undergone two hip replacements and it was time to get one replaced again. Just like our "real" hips, artificial hips will wear out to. This young lady came into the store limping and it was evident that she was in pain. She tried on a pair of Z-CoiL's and walked around a bit. After just a few moments, she just stood in one place, shifting her weight from one leg to another and said "Hmmmmmm." I asked if that was a good "Hmmmmmm" or a bad "Hmmmmmm!" She replied that she could not believe it but her hip wasn't hurting! She walked around a bit more, but decided she needed to do some more research on Z-CoiL's before she took the plunge and invested in this unique footwear. I think she will be back... and she's probably reading this as I write!

Another person had a hip replacement and her other hip was starting to go. She did not want to go through another surgery at age 71, so that brought her into our store. After wearing them for awhile, her daughter noticed that she was not limping in the Z-CoiL's! It took awhile to fit her due to her pronation, but I think we got it!

There were several other hip issues also, and we managed to get Z-CoiL's on their feet and in all cases, the pain was greatly reduced or totally disappeared.

The bottom line is that the natural shock absorption that we have does wear out over time. Z-CoiL's add that shock reduction back, supplementing what you have left, and the net effect is that the pain is reduced or eliminated!

Till later,
Caesar...

Another free pair given away!

One of our great customers, Marilyn Carstens, came in to purchase a pair of the bone sandals and in the process qualified to claim a free pair of Z-CoiL's as she reached her referral target of 10 people that purchased footwear.

Marilyn is the kind of person who doesn't do it because she wants the credit, but instead she does it because she wants to help people! She hands out many cards and doesn't even give her name as the referral to the people.

"I just want them to be pain free and enjoy a better life," says Marilyn.

While she was in the store, she saw someone walking by that she knew could use Z-CoiL's and she literally herded the person into the store. Once we got the shoes on this person's feet, she was in love and purchased because the pain in her feet was much less.

You can view Marilyn's story by clicking here!

Our thanks go out to Marilyn and her husband Patrick for their work in making people's life easier through the use of Z-CoiL's!

Till later,
Caesar...

Sunshine the Clown!

Sunshine The Clown came into our store today to buy a new pair of Z-CoiL's! Sunshine purchased her first pair in New Orleans in March, 2004. She is on her feet all day when she is performing and travels all over the Bay area doing shows at parties, Fisherman's Wharf, and North Beach. As you can imagine, being on your feet all day can put quite a strain on your body, and she had issues with her hips and her feet.

Since she has been wearing Z-CoiL's, her pain has disappeared and she is able to put on that great big smile for her audience as she makes various balloon characters for children of all ages! As you can see, her balloon creations are not the typical wham-bam-your-done type, but are REAL creations. She was voted best in America for her work!

I'm glad that Z-CoiL's can allow her to continue this fun and exciting work!

Make sure you visit her web site at www.thesunshineshow.com.

Till later,
Caesar...

Almost forgot it!

I had a customer come into the store earlier this week using a walker. He had severe back issues which caused him to use a walker. He tried on several styles and decided on the Freedom 2000's. It was incredible to see his posture change, and he walked around the store for over 40 minutes without the use of his walker! He was sold and purchased the Z-CoiL's.

On the way out, I had to remind him to take his walker with him! Truly amazing...

Till later,
Caesar...

Taos and Zueco Straps are in!

The company has been out of these styles for several months, but we finally have them in stock! The Taos Strap also comes in white for that summer look.



Come on down and get yours today!

Caesar@ez-shoes.com

Testimonial - Christine and John Woodard

Pictured above is Christine, John and Angelina Woodard from Lemoore, CA.

Christine bought her first pair of Z-CoiL's from The Shoe Safari in Silverdale Washington in November of 2003. She suffers from fibromyalgia, arthritis and bad knees. FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted with FMS, and it shows up in people of all ages.

"I read about Z-CoiL's in the local newspaper," says Christine. "I was in need of another pair of shoes, so I thought I would check them out."

"The Z-CoiL's have helped my knees and other areas of pain," she continues. "It has made it a lot easier for me to walk on cement surfaces. I find them very comfortable and I can use them for everything that I do!"

She liked them so much, she introduced them to her husband, John. He is in the U.S. Navy and had a pinched sciatica nerve in his left back side.

"I bought my Z-CoiL's as a result of my wife telling me how her Z-CoiL's had alleviated her pain," says John. "My pain in my left back side caused me to limp. It was painful to sit down, stand up and get in or out of a vehicle."

"Three months after I bought my Z-CoiL's, I had no pain left in my back side! Since I am still in the Navy, my military doctor authorized me to go ahead and replace my military work boots with Z-CoiL's Z-Duty work boots, which are far more comfortable to wear!" concludes John.

Both of them have two pair and traveled 3 hours to get a new set of coils and some slight adjustments.

Till later,
Caesar...

When should I replace my coil?

This is an interesting question that there is no real scientific way to answer! We normally see that people get a year to a year and a half out of a set of coils. We have had some people wear them out in 8 months and others have lasted over two years.

In most cases, it is evident... the rubber is worn through to the metal coil, so it is definitely time to get a new set!

I had a not-so-obvious one this week. A customer had her shoes for about 21 months and there was still rubber left on the heel. She was complaining about the fact that she felt she was walking on the outside of the shoe and this was causing cramps in her foot. When we examined the coils, we noticed that the outside of the coil was severely worn down, causing her foot to shift just enough to aggravate the outside of her foot. We put a new set of coils on and that resolved the problem!

So, the moral of the story is that if your Z's are quite feeling up to par, and you notice a lot of wear on one part of the heel, it might be time for a tune-up and new coils!

Till later,
Caesar...

Z-Dancing Feet!

Z-Blog Reporter: "Your2Feet At The Fremont Fair - Video Clip Z-Dancing Feet

Last weekend, Seattle Z-CoiL dealer Your2Feet marched in the 17th annual Fremont Parade and had a booth at the 34th Fremont Fair.

Check out the short video clip of a street performer beating on his drum while a pair of Z-CoiLs keep time to the beat.

posted by JOlmsted @ Friday, June 24, 2005

Orthotics

If you are familiar with Z-CoiL's, you know that a built-in orthotic is the foundation of the shoe. Many people have custom orthotics that their doctor had made for them. In many cases, the custom orthotic is very similar to the orthotic that is built-in to the Z-CoiL's. Some people choose to use their own orthotic on top of ours and others choose not to.

I am not a doctor and I do not give medical advice! If you do have custom orthotics, it is very helpful if you bring them along when you get fitted so we can understand how they compare and also how the shoe fits with and without it.

I had a woman in the store about 3 weeks ago whom we fit into a pair of Taos Clogs. They seemed to fit well and she was on her way. She came back into the store the other day with the shoes and wanted them to be adjusted. It turns out that she wore orthotics and decided that she probably should wear them because the doctor prescribed them. Unfortunately, the orthotic was so large that it did not fit well in the clog, and we had to change it out for a different style of footwear.

Just remember, bring your orthotic in at fitting time! It let's us know what the doctor has prescribed and we can fit you accordingly.

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Celia Magsuci

Celia (left) bought her first pair of Z-CoiL's in September of 2004 and came into the store today with her friend, Erlinda Guillermo, whom she brought to purchase her first pair of Z-CoiL's! Celia had suffered from Scoliosis in the cervical and lumber area. She told us that it always felt like someone was shoving the end of a pen into different areas of her back, causing severe pain.

"Wearing Z-CoiL's has improved my back pain from 100% severe all day to 20-30% moderate pain even at the end of the day," says Celia. "I wear my Z-CoiL shoes all the time even when I do cooking for 2 hours. I run and jog with comfort and very little strain on my calves.

"I recommend Z-CoiL's to everyone. I am happy and lucky to have Z-CoiL shoes!"

Celia is definitely a big advocate of our footwear and with her smiley face and bubbly personality, it's hard not to take her recommendation!

Till later,
Caesar...

Brown Hikers are in!!

We now have the High Desert Hiker in brown with a slightly different design than the gray hikers. I have tried them on and love the feel of them. If you haven't seen them, look below for another post where they are pictured. So, if you have always wanted a brown Z-CoiL, now's your chance!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Teria Tetz-Hall

Teria first discovered Z-CoiL's in New Mexico when she was visiting a hospital in 2004. She came into our store in June, 2004 to see what could be done for her condition. Teria suffers from a herniated disk in the lower back which has caused peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy)to her feet. She works as a business manager for an organization that obtains grants for the severely handicapped.

"I love these shoes!", says Teria. "With nerve damage in my feet, I feel secure walking. I don't have to look down all of the time because my feet are securely supported. They also help with back pain."

"Besides," she continues, "It is fun to spring around!"

She was in our store this time to buy a second pair of a different style, which are the Taos Strap, which she is sporting in the picture above.

Till later,
Caesar...

Z-CoiL Earrings!

Wow! Even Z-CoiL Earrings! We are now carrying sterling silver earrings to match your coils, priced at just $15 per pair. These can be shipped since they do not need to be fitted! ;-)

Till later,
Caesar...

Imagine the Possibilities!

This came from one of our senior dealers in Alaska! She has a customer and her significant other that have been helped tremendously by Z-CoiL's, so she thought that her pet also deserved some!

Just imagine the possibilites... Z-CoiL's for Pets!

Till later,
Caesar...

Defective?

We had a customer come into the store who had bought Z-CoiL's a month ago. He was having a problem with the arch on one pair and wanted to return them. We have a 7 day return policy and this was clearly outside of the 7 days! We told him that we could adjust the footwear in the arch and have him back on the road in 10 minutes. He insisted that if the shoe had to be "adjusted" then it was defective!

Just remember, Z-CoiL's can be adjusted for many types of issues... This does not mean that they are defective, but that your foot does not match our shoe out of the box! If you work with us, we are willing to work with you!

We got our customer settled and he is now a happy camper!

Till later,
Caesar...

Wow! More New Styles coming!

Just when you thought that Z-CoiL had come out with all of their new styles for 2005, another one will be hitting us! This hiker will replace the current gray and rust color hiker that we currently stock. It is a brown nubuck with a little different mesh pattern to hold out better in the tough terrain.

And that's not all! September will bring another great design and I promise COLOR this time! Can't let that one out of the bag yet, though... In the fall, just in time for Santa, there will be another style or two released! I've seen pictures of the prototypes and they are something we have been asked for over and over...

So, keep your eyes peeled here for more info. Also, if you want to be kept informed, please visit us at http://www.ez-shoes.com/news_registration.htm to be put on our email list which will be starting up soon!

Till later,
Caesar...

Why?

I had a gentleman come into the store today who injured himself over one year ago. He has tried all of the traditional routes for recovery, including physical therapy and surgery, to no avail. He was now living on Vicodin two to three times a day to "take the edge off" the pain. It wasn't helping him and the medication was definitely affecting his whole demeanor. His doctor finally prescribed Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear, and after just 15 minutes, his pain was significantly lessened!

Many people will just take the drugs that the doctor prescribe without knowing what they can do to you. Take Vicodin, for example. Some of the side effects include drowsiness, mental clouding, lethargy, impairment of mental and physical performance, anxiety, fear, dysphoria, psychic dependence and mood changes. And that's just a short list... there are many more!

Z-CoiL's, on the other hand, can relief the pain, aid in the recovery, and return you to a pain free life without being invasive and mood altering. So, just answer me... WHY? Why aren't they the first course of action instead of the last?

We gotta work on that!

Till later,
Caesar...

June is National Men’s Health Month!

i-Newswire, 2005-06-03 - ( Albuquerque, NM ) – June has been named National Men’s Health Month, and the week before Father’s Day is National Men’s Health Week. These designations are important for raising awareness of men’s health issues, such as cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Healthy diets and exercise are two keys to overall fitness, but for some men, obesity and accompanying joint pain has hindered their exercise plans.

A revolutionary line of footwear, specially engineered to relieve foot, leg, and back pain, is changing each step for men whose pain has hindered exercise and affected their quality of life.

Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™ features a unique conical coil steel spring under the heel, which reduces the rate of impact from walking or running by 50 percent, according to studies by Los Alamos National Laboratories and the U.S. Department of Energy. A rigid, built-in orthotic fully supports the mid-foot, equalizing pressure distribution to reduce the occurrence of heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, while extra cushioning at the forefoot and a permanent flex line at the ball of the foot improve comfort in the metatarsal area. This total foot support means less impact to the body and less pain.

Al Gallegos, a 74-year-old maverick in Albuquerque, New Mexico, persevered for years to develop this unique line of footwear that offers a radical alternative for foot, leg, and back pain relief. Z-CoiL® shoes have dramatically changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who report either complete relief or a significant reduction in pain while wearing them. Many customers are beginning to report significant weight loss because of increased mobility.

Michael Weaver, an enthusiastic Z-CoiL®-wearer writes, “I am a diabetic. I heard about your shoes from a friend and a nurse I know. My feet were in constant pain. I thought it was because I had a couple of toes amputated last year. I was only able to walk about a hundred feet without pain.”

Since finding Z-CoiL® footwear, Michael has experienced a dramatic change. “I put them on in the store. Before I left the store, all the pain in my feet had stopped. The rest of the day I walked around, and the next day, and the next, and so on. I have gotten overweight due to sitting around with sore feet. But now I am walking every day. I know I am losing weight now.”

Michael’s story is one of thousands of customer testimonials that have poured into Z-CoiL’s offices. For many people with painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, sciatica, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease, the shoes have been nothing short of a miracle.

“That first walk is all you need to make a step toward a healthier lifestyle,” says Al Gallegos. “I am thrilled that I am able to be a part of changing thousands of lives.”

A small company on a mission, Z-CoiL Footwear is gaining a tremendous and loyal following nationwide as word of its pain relief benefits is spreading, with 200 authorized dealers nationwide.

Imagine the Possibilities!

Just imagine... If someone like Oprah was to feature Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear on her show, it would reach millions of people! It would further our cause to provide pain relief to those millions of Americans that currently suffer daily from sort of foot, leg, knee or back issue.

Oprah's web site has an area where you can submit story ideas, so I submitted one on how these shoes have changed people's lives. If you feel so inclined, you can submit your own personal story on how Z-CoiL's have affected your life!

Click here to fill out the form

The more stories she receives, she might be inclined to give Z-CoiL's some attention! You might even get a chance to be on her show! So, if you could take the time to submit your story, that would be great!

Till later,
Caesar...

Z-CoiL's Trek Costa Rica!

One of our customers, Alana, has just taken a trip to Costa Rica and came in before hand to buy a second pair of Z-CoiL's! Her husband emailed me the picture while she was still there, so I don't have a lot of details on her excursion but... As you can see from the terrain she is standing on, this is not San Francisco paved highways!

Many people are concerned when they first come into the store that Z-CoiL's will be unstable. On the contrary! That's why we have a rugged trail course in our store so you can check out the stability. We also will allow you to take a run or walk outside on the pavement to better understand how they react to various paces.

So, when you get a chance, come on in and try out a pair!

Till later,
Caesar...

I'm Back!

What a great conference! We had dealers from all over the U.S. and Canada, getting together to share ideas and learn new techniques. We got lots of tips to better fit our customers, which will benefit everyone.

We also had a preview of a new hiker due out in a couple of months. It is similar to our current hiker, but in brown and has a different nylon mesh pattern. There is another surprise to be unleashed later this year! Keep tuned here for the scoop...

There was a great awards banquet where we received an award for being #17 dealer in 2004! Of course, we have moved up the ranks since then, and our goal is to make the top 10 in 2005...

Till later,
Caesar...

To the Dealers Conference!

I will be Missing In Action for the next week as I attend the Z-CoiL Dealers Conference in Albuquerque. It's a really special time for me due to a several reasons.

First of all, I get an opportunity to met with all of the great minds in the Z-CoiL World, including the other distributors, the Z-CoiL staff, and the inventor, Al Gallegos!

Secondly, I get an opportunity to learn how to better meet the needs of our customers, including fitting techniques for the hard to fit cases.

And lastly, I get to meet with all of my friends in Albuquerque! I used to live in Albuquerque and teach at the University of New Mexico. I still have a lot of great friends in that part of the country, and we spend time reliving the experiences of our past lives...

So, please excuse the absence, but I will be back in a week with more!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Donna Beck

Donna is a tour guide in Florida and suffered from heel pain and lower pack issues. She came into our store when she was in town visiting relatives in December of 2003. When you are a tour guide, your livelihood depends on the ability to walk for miles during the day, and Donna was having a problem doing that.

"Standing on cement floors for 8 hours caused very bad lower back pain, getting so bad that I could not bend over by the end of the day," says Donna. "Z-CoiL's, within two days, completely alleviated the pain in the lower back and I felt rested throughout the day with no problem when having to bend.

"As a tour guide walking 2 miles, 3 nights a week, I never feel fatigued, I have no back pain and they keep my sore heel very comfortable! For anybody that has to stand a lot, these shoes are an investment to your health, comfort and well-being."

Donna got off the airplane and headed straight for our store to see what new styles we had in the store! She spreads the word about Z-CoiL's to her other co-workers, and her manager now has 3 pair! Donna still prefers to visit us when she comes in town because of our good looks! (just kidding... we know her fit and she enjoys the atmosphere that our store provides!)

Till later,
Caesar...

Much Better Day!

So, I talked about my frustration the other day... now to let you in on what happened today... I had one person come into the store who had been suffering from pain in his thighs. After about 5 minutes of walking around in the store, he told us that his pain had totally disappeared! He was incredibly happy!

I also had a woman in the store that had been suffering from a pain in her foot where she had surgery. She also told me how much easier it was for her to walk and that the area where she had surgery did not bother her hardly at all in the Z-CoiL's!

There are good days and bad days in this business... thank goodness the good days, which are the ones where we have success in changing a person's life, outnumber the bad ones significantly!

Till later,
Caesar...

Frustrating situation today...

I had a woman come into the store this morning who had arch pain and wanted to purchase a pair of SideWinder Sandals. I put a pair of tan sandals on her and she walked around. She was feeling a bit of a problem at the side of her foot where the orthotic hits, so I heated it and adjusted it for her a couple of times. Everything seemed great when she left the store.

She came back into the store after walking around for an hour in the Z-CoiL's and said she wanted to return them because it was still uncomfortable at the side. I asked her to sit down and I would resolve the issue, but didn't want another adjustment since it was a "hassle" for her.

I refunded her money and she was on her way. The frustrating thing to me is that with a few more minutes of adjustments, it could have been resolved and she could have been on her way to no more foot pain!

We try to get the shoe perfectly adjusted when you are in the store. Unfortunately, there are times when your feet will swell when you are on them, or you notice something that bothers you after wearing them for awhile. We realize that our feet are not static and can change over the course of a day, month or year. That's why we offer free adjustments for the life of the shoe to any pair of Z-CoiL's we sell. We know your feet can change, and we want your shoes to feel comfortable!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Karen Lee

Karen is a stay-at-home mom who purchased her first pair of Z-CoiL's in November of 2003.

"I was in significant pain everyday after being on my feet for a very long time," says Karen. "The very day I got my shoes, my feet felt 50% better! Within a few weeks, I was feeling 80-90% better. It's now been a year and a half. I just bought my third pair and as long as I wear them at home and for exercising, my feet feel fine!"

Karen had to pick up a pair of sandals, since she will be moving out of town soon and wanted to get fit before she left town!

Till later,
Caesar...

EZ Shoes Ranks 15th for Quarter 1 of 2005!

We just keep climbing!! We went from 18th for all of 2004 to 15th in ranking for all stores in North America! Wow!

Of course, we have much higher goals, so continue to watch this space...

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

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen was "drug" into our store by her husband back in November of 2003 since she was experiencing lower back problems, knee issues and hip pain. She looked at the shoes and said "No way am I trying those on!" Well things changed...

"Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!!" says Mary Ellen. "My husband saw them on a friend and took me to the store to try on a pair. My back had been hurting in the lower back area. Three times around the store and my pain was gone! I have referred numerous folks to the store and eight folks have purchased a total of 13 pairs! One of those pairs just walked the Great Wall of China and they saved the owner's feet and back."

Mary Ellen visits the store regularly to pick up more cards and brochures. So, if you see Mary Ellen bouncing around, feel free to stop her and ask her about her Z-CoiL's! She loves to talk about them.

Till later,
Caesar...

Happy Nurse's Week!

The nursing community is one of my favorite walks of life. Maybe it is because my mother was a practicing nurse for 35 years and my wife was a practicing nurse for 12 years. I saw what these special people go through during the course of time, and it can really take a toll on their bodies. When you spend 8-12 hours per day on your feet on concrete, running after patients with hardly a break, it can cause foot, leg, knee and back issues.

Barbara Shannon is an RN who currently owns 6 pairs of Z-CoiL's. Although she lives 60 miles from here, she stops by regularly on her way down south to check out new styles and purchase a new pair.

"I have knee problems and didn't want surgery," says Barbara. "With Z-CoiL's, I now do not need surgery. I can do anything with Z-CoiL's on!"

Sue Parisi is another of our customers in the medical field who has benefited tremendously from Z-CoiL footwear. She spends hours at a time standing in the operating room assisting the doctors.

"Since wearing my Z-CoiL Shoes for exercising and work, I no longer have pain in my lower back," says Sue. "My legs do not feel as heavy after a workout or after being on my feet 8 hours at work. I would recommend these shoes for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet at work or for exercising."

We have hundreds of people in the medical community who have been fit in Z-CoiL's from our store. I understand what they go through and my hat goes off to this very special group of people!

So, if a nurse has touch your life in any way, take the time to say thanks for a job well done!

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial -Jessica T.

Occasionally, there is a customer who makes a lasting impression, and Jessica T. is one such person. Jessica came into our store about a year ago and she was really suffering from severe ankle pain. She had a brace on her ankle to help keep the swelling down and allow her to walk. We fitted her with a pair of Taos Clogs, and the transformation was amazing! She asked to use the restroom, and after 15 minutes, she was still not back in the showroom. I went back to check and make sure she was OK, when she came out, wiping her tears away. The pain relief that she had experienced was so remarkable, she cried…

“I saw a woman wearing these at the 2004 Women’s March in Washington D.C. (1,000,000 women!)” says Jessica. “I had brought a bike in order to attend, since I could not walk it otherwise. So, I stopped the whole march (just kidding) and asked the woman where she got them. I came back to the Bay Area and spent 3 hours here at the San Jose Store.

“I bought Taos Black and was able to walk instantly!! I am only 34, so this really helped me keep up with my peers and added joy to my life! I now own 3 pairs (Taos Clogs, Rust Desert hikers and Sandals) and am greatly relieved. It is like a cloud has been lifted. I work in the music industry, running around NYC, LA and other places with rock stars. I get lots of compliments in that area and in the art community as well. The fashion consensus is THUMBS UP!”

Jessica brought her mother, Heidi, into the store on Mothers Day, since her mother also has suffered from two broken ankles. She helped her pick out a pair of white Freedom 2000 to ease her pain.

Till later,
Caesar…

Testimonial - Ginny Almond

Ginny first purchased her Z-CoiL's from Dr. Lieberson, a surgeon in Fremont that is a believer in the footwear. She is disabled due to a lower back injury which prevents her from working as an administrative executive.

"I have tried many other orthopedic shoes prior to my neurologist prescribing Z-CoiL's," says Ginny. "I have found them to be life-savers. I could not walk the length of my home without a pain stabbing feeling (lower back radiating down my right leg.)

"The Z-CoiL's seem to absorb the shock which caused the pain when walking. Now, after 2+ years of wearing Z-CoiL's almost always, I can comfortably walk my dog around the block and stand or walk in church for short periods of time.

"Thank you Dr. Lieberson for telling me about these shoes and to Z-CoiL for improving the quality of my life by reducing the pain!"

Ginny's husband also wears the Z-CoiL's with great success. Ginny was in to purchase yet another pair to add to her collection.

Till later,
Caesar...

Testimonial - Lois White

Lois purchased her first pair of Z-Coils about 18 months ago. She is retired and lists her occupation as a "hiker"! She loves to hike in the mountain trails around San Jose. She purchased her first pair of Z-CoiL's about 18 months ago with a pair of white Freedom 2000's and added a pair of balck Freedom 2000's shortly after that.

"Never have I had shoes as great as these! says Lois. "I will never go back to toe pointed shoes. I was starting to have hip problems but with the Z-CoiL, my hip is much better."

As she navigated the rocky rugged trail course in our store, she commented "I used to be afraid of walking on any rocks, but with these shoes, it's a breeze."

Today she wandered into the store to check out the painted clogs and to see if there were any new styles. The white Taos Clog Straps caught her eyes, and after a few minor adjustments, she was on her way. "My daughter is getting married, so now I have something to wear to the wedding," said Lois.

Till later,
Caesar...