On today’s show you showed the Z-Coil shoe. There was a time when I thought that they were just the greatest thing. I worked retail and always had achy knees and lower back. The shoes helped tremendously. However, I do not recommend anyone that has weak ankles to wear them! I was walking fast and my ankle gave out… I ended up breaking my leg in 4 places!! My tib & fib broke completely across and the fib splintered up in 2 spots. This required surgery, a plate and a bunch of screws. My doctor asked several times what I really did to break it this badly as he had never seen breaks this bad except in car accidents & contact sport injuries.

Here’s the clincher… I didn’t even fall down!!! Apparently the shoes wanted to bend one way while my body was leaning the other way. My leg snapped in half just like a stick! I know my leg could still have broken because of my ankle turning, but I truely believe that it would not have broken as severely as it did with those shoes.

My advice is: if you have weak ankles or poor balance DO NOT wear these. (or at least be VERY careful) I just wanted to warn people of the POSSIBLE dangers with these shoes.

These shoes changed my life! I have two bad knees, weak ankles, a bad foot and a bad hip. I was in so much pain and had twisted my ankle many times prior wearing to Z-CoiL’s. I have been wearing them for 8 years and they are the only shoes I can wear and be out of pain! As far as the ankles, I find them more forgiving than most shoes since the coil will maneuver uneven ground better than my regular shoes used to. I went from basically not being able to walk 100 yards to running a couple of miles in 4 months. Keep up the great work Z-CoiL! I would be lost without you.

I am very saddened to hear about your accident. The reality is that people with weak ankles and poor balance are at a greatly increased risk of falling regardless of what they wear on their feet. The slightest misstep, coupled with poor equilibrium can result in a fall.

Z-CoiL shoes are a lifesaver for me. I have been wearing them for 5 years and they are the only shoes I can wear all day long without pain in my feet, hips, back and neck. I had excruciating pain from, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis,Morton’s neuromas and degenerative arthritic joints in my low back and neck. In the five years I have worn the shoes I have fallen once, after stepping in a pothole.

I can walk for exercise with my husband and dogs without pain. I don’t take any pain medications anymore. My husband wears them and has lost over 60 pounds. They are excellent for helping him control his blood sugar. More information on the shoes is available at www.zcoil.com.

Your point is well taken though. There is no single shoe that magically cures all pain, and wearers must take precautions if they have weak ankles, balance or instability issues. Wearers should also avoid doing ladder work and watch out for bar stools.

I have been wearing zcoils for over 5 years, I had chronic hip pain that was seriously impacting my ability to continue running.   Two weeks after wearing zcoils, my hip pain was gone and hasn’t been back.   Sunday I will run my 7th marathon!!!   I run outdoors on concrete, trails and rocks and haven’t fallen once!   

I just want to clarify that I’m not telling people that they don’t work! I loved them!! I thought they were the answer to my prayers…. I’ve heard of other people suffering from similar injuries and think that people should know the rewards as well as the possible risks, that’s all! (btw, I have very strong bones)

I’m glad you all have found relief from your pain! Good luck in all your travels!

I’m sorry to hear abt your horrible ankle problems. I’ve been wearing Z-CoiL’s for over 2 years and I don’t know what my quality of life would be without them. I suffered from plantar fasciitis and could barely walk from the pain. Ever since I got my Z-CoiL’s the pain in my foot and back diminished almost completely. I even go in every few months and have them readjust them to feel like the day I got them. I am a Z-CoiL for life girl! You really should find a store near you and check them out. Goto www.zcoil.com to find a store.

I have practiced as a podiatric physician in Seattle for 26 years. Six years ago I was introduced to the Z-coil pain relief footwear. I was so impressed with the results I was getting with a small sample of patients, that I started recommending them especially for plantar fascitis. I personally own six pairs and have received a lot of relief from back pain. I was so taken with the shoes, I decided to become more deeply committed to the product. It has been very rewarding to see the amazing results at the office and the shop relieving foot, leg and back pain. Check out this blog for amazing testimonials and other news: www.your2feet.blogspot.com

Love these shoes! I have bad knees too, and since I started wearing Z-Coils I am pain free! I agree with reality_curious that these shoes are more forgiving than most as the coil will adjust itself on uneven ground better. I run outside with them and they’re great. Thanks, Z-Coil!

You showed the Z-Coil on today’s show, but I’m wondering why not the Masai Barefoot Technology shoes? I’ve had my MBTs for over two years now, and I SWEAR by them! I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Degenerative Disc Disease in my lower spine and I used to just COLLAPSE after a “Costco run”. Now, because my MBTs support my entire BODY, I’m NOT completely drained when I get home! And my back doesn’t hurt NEARLY as much as it used to. Go here for more info:
http://www.swissmasaius.com/Default.aspx?lang=e…

Part of the reason for less pain, also, is the fact that I do a daily workout on my Pilates machine. Although I’ve only been watching The Doctors “religiously” for about a month, I’ve not seen you talk about Pilates…the MACHINE, not the floor work. You can only get the full benefit with the machine supporting you.

Anyway…I hope to see both of these health “miracles” addressed on your show soon. I don’t think I’d even be ambulatory without them!

these are probably the most amazing shoes on the face of the earth. im excited that the show had a lil feature on them because more people need to know about them and wear them.. if you have pain or not they’re a great preventative measure to keep from having issues in the future. i myself am in my early 20’s and have been wearing them for bout 4 years..

I have bought these shoes for myself two years ago and I love them, they make me tall and plus I could wear them for days and never hurt… wish I would have been there today to get free ones!! They made the perfect christams gift last year for my grandparents and mother too who only wear those kind of shoes now.

I have been wearing these shoes for about a year at the initial urging by a friend of mine. Over the years I have suffered a number of injuries, most as a result of a head on collision 22 years ago. I had three knee surgeries, a compressed disc, two herniated discs and a resulting bone spur on my spine. In addition, I previously broke both my feet in separate accidents.

I didn’t think these shoes would help, but after a little coaxing I now own three pairs, the sneaker, dress shoe and a hiking boot. I hiked twice in the hiking boot each time for over 5 miles. I love them! I am glad to see they are making it to the mainstream! I always get a lot of questions when I wear them.

I’m a Registered Nurse and have been wearing Z-coils for about 10 years. I suffered from heel pain in the morning and during my shift since wearing Z-coils I have been able to keep working. I actually have less fatigue at the end of my 12 hour shift as well. I have many colleagues that actually wear them now becuase they suffered from the same problems. I highly recommend them for anyone who stands or walks at work for long periods at a time.

I can stand/run around at my job for 10-12 hours a day in my Z-Coil’s , which is something I couldn’t do a few years ago in “regular” shoes without ridiculous amounts of back pain. I have been wearing Z-Coil’s for a little over two years now and have never looked back nor would I want to! Thank you Z-Coil, for giving me my life back!

To the original poster: Have you ever been diagnosed with osteoporosis? Although “freak accidents” do occur from time to time, it seems highly unusual that you would have fractured both your tibia and fibula. It seems to me that if this were indeed a freak occurrence than it would have happened whether you had your Z-Coils on or not.

I work for a chiropractor that has been selling Z-Coils for over 8 years. I have personally witnessed persons walking in our clinic with crutches, with walkers and with various types of ankle-foot orthoses, and walk out only in their Z-Coils. While these shoes are by no means “the end-all, beat all miracle shoes” they do work for a lot of people, and statistically the removal of half the pressure and stress on your knees, hips and low back, has helped a greater number of people that have been forced to work on hard surfaces.

America has, for the past 150 year inadvertently embarked upon the greatest social experiment known to mankind. For the sake of transportation we’ve taken the natural surfaces that God has created for us to walk on, and paved them over. Thus, we’ve forced our bodies to conform to these unnatural surfaces, resulting in increased pressure to the joints of the lower extremities. This fact, coupled with the pandemic of obesity, has resulted in more knee and hip replacement surgeries than this country has ever seen, in just the past decade. Z-Coil footwear is the most practical immediate solution to this problem.

Beau Avery,
Manager, Foot Professional

These amazing shoes have relieved my severe back pain for the last 6 years. I have spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and 4 degenerating disks as well as arthritis in my spine. My pain level was often an 8 or 9 on a scale of 1-10!
It is now down to a manageable 1-3. I had tried chiropractic, epidural injections, acupuncture and massage therapy and physical therapy as well as potent pharmaceuticals..nothing was working anymore. I started wearing Z-Coils and felt some relief immediately. The more I wore them..the more pain relief. Now I wear ONLY ZCoil pain relief footwear!

I had the plantar fasciitis for 10 years and these shoes took the pain away in 30 days. I would not wear any other shoe as I also have a knee reconstruction on my left knee and know it will help to prevent arthrtis in the future. It’s amazing how durable these shoes are!  I have many pairs now but know that they will last for years to come since I can replace the coils and insoles.

to wordsmith:
the barefoot technology .. BAD IDEA
your body was not meant to walk barefoot on concrete or anything that we walk on anymore. it was meant to walk on dirt, grass and so on. Not to mention that when you walk its about 2-3 times your body weight compressing every thing in your body. so i say no bueno to being barefoot. PLUS the fact that you should ALWAYS have something on your feet supporting you and your entire body. your feet are your body’s support system. Z-coils are the best thing out there for your body. GO GET SOME!!!!!!!

go to www.zcoil.com and find a store near you!!!!!

Five years ago I was experiencing knee pain due to arthritis and lower back
pain due to a bulging disc.  I accepted it as part of getting old.  I
also have scoliosis and a chronic case of Achilles tendonitis.  When I
first tried on a pair of Z-Coils and walked around I did not feel my knee pain
nor my back pain.  I thought I was having a good moment.   I
took off my Z-Coils and wore my other shoes and guess what, the pain came
back.  After wearing the Z-Coils for a few months I realized I wasn’t
having my Achilles tendonitis attacks that I use to have three to four times a
week.  I have been an avid Z-Coil wearer for over five years.  I
stand straighter and my friends notice that I have more energy now than I had
in the past.   It has given me the quality of my life back.

My husband also wears Z-Coils.  He had plantar fasciitis, heel pain,
torn meniscus in his left knee (he had arthroscopic surgery for his right knee
and was scheduled for surgery for his left knee), and degenerating discs. 
As he puts it he was a mess.  By wearing the Z-Coils he no longer has heel
pain, knee pain or back pain.  His left knee is now better than the right
(surgery) knee.  He was able to cancel the left knee surgery.  His
doctor was amazed what the Z-Coils have done for him.  My husband required
more adjustments to his shoes than I did and that is what is great about the
shoes, it is personalized to you. 

Thank you Z-Coil for giving our lives back to us.

To ZLover….
Did you READ my post? Obviously, you DIDN’T go the MBT SITE. I’m not TALKING about walking BAREFOOT. MBT shoes are designed to replicate how the foot behaves when walking in sand. (It was conceived on the observation of how Masai warriors walk…perfectly aligned.) It has a curved sole, allowing you to walk in the “natural” position for the foot and body…heel first…which ALSO aligns the spine/entire body so that you have PERFECT POSTURE, which takes pressure OFF the BACK. In addition, the sole is designed with a “pivot point”, which enables better balance…and it’s CUSHIONED so that walking on concrete doesn’t even AFFECT the body the way it usually would. The shoe is the result of seven years of Swiss technology and is TRULY a space-age design…not to mention a bona fide piece of medical “equipment”.

I HAVE looked at the Z-Coils…and honestly, they look DANGEROUS to me. Did you read the post from the woman who broke her leg in four places when her Z-Coil shoes DIDN’T allow her to fall naturally? PLEASE….READ before you criticize!

I have been wearing Z-coiLs for five years and to call them dangerous, in even caps, made me chuckle.  They are actually helping people with balance disorders to walk with more stability. The MBT’s are fine but they are truly meant to work your body more so that your core and your legs vasculature are strengthened.  I have even heard of some plantar fasciitis being helped.  My issue is that I feel more natural walking in a Z-coiL because the heel is flat. It takes the impact and gives an energy return so I am not as tired at the end of the day. I also appreciate a shoe that is environmentally friendly in that it has replaceable parts.  I just haven’t seen a 6 yr. old pair of MBT’s and what they looked like after daily use.  I have with Z-coiL and the black sneaker actually looked pretty good and probably had the coil replaced three times in that period.  You just don’t get as good an immediate posture improvement, on as large a scale of people, with the MBT.  Nor do you get the built-in orthotic that can prevent overstretching of the tendon with a heel cup that immobilizes enough so it can repair, as you can with a Z-coiL.  I’m so glad that the surgeon mentioned, and I could see, that his posture was better.

Happy Pain Free New Year Everyone!!

The Z-Coil Footwear has given me back my life. Because they have to be custom fitted, you have to go into the store to buy them. I was educated on all the benefits and precautions of the shoe. They tell you the shoe isn’t for everyone, but that is with ANY shoe. I wouldn’t trade my Z-coils for anything!!!

To Coillin:
Thanks for your very intelligent and informed response. You are RIGHT…MBTs ARE designed to strenghten the core musculature, and the legs, which serves to support the ENTIRE body. They, along with my Pilates routine, have improved MY balance and made me STRONGER.

And thanks for your feedback on Z-Coil. From what I’ve read here from people with plantar fasciitis, I’m going to recommend them to a friend of mine who suffers from that.
Cheers!

I personally believe that Z-CoiL and MBTs complement each other. Z-CoiLs have 2 1/2 times the impact reduction than MBTs, making them an ideal choice for chronic to severe pain. MBTs provide substantial impact reduction, while challenging and strengthening core muscles. I know many people that alternate between Z-CoiL and MBT shoes on a regular basis.

What really impresses me as that there are shoe companies that are thinking “outside the box” and designing shoes that have real therapeutic benefit for the millions of Americans suffering from foot, leg and back pain.

Shoes like Z-CoiL and MBT can reduce joint pain, allow people to be active again, lose weight, reduce stress, etc. If these shoes get the credit they deserve, the cost savings to our overburdened healthcare system would be staggering. My husband estimated that well over $100 billion could be saved by postponing knee and hip replacement procedures, managing obesity, preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes, and allowing for rapid recovery from plantar fasciitis and other common lower extremity injuries.

It’s such a delight to see Z-Coil shoes recognized on the Doctor’s TV show. These shoes solved a foot problem that I had endured for many years (nucleated keratomas and associated metatarsalgia)and made it possible for me to be a lot more active. In fact, you could say they were life changing for me.

Z-Coil is a tiny little company out of Albuquerque, NM, with limited resources for studies and advertising. Thanks for the help in getting the word out, Doctors! I’m sure you are helping a lot of people.