Evite: 1 Year Anniversary. Z-Tune-Up Day

Evite: 1 year anniversary. In honor of customers who have already experienced life-changing pain relief in their Z-CoiL footwear, and to celebrate a successful first year in business, Your 2 Feet is hosting a special Z-Tune-Up Day on December 4, 2004 in the store located at 1201 Pine St. Customers will have a chance to get their Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear™ re-adjusted, spruced up, and shined, free of charge, while enjoying delicious refreshments, give aways (including a free pair of Z-coil pain relief footwear), a pre-celebration decorating workshop, a free foot pressure mat screening, and live music. People new to Z-CoiL footwear will have a great opportunity to learn more about these unusual shoes.



From: Lotchie Kerch
Location: Your 2 Feet
1201 Pine St,Seattle,WA View Map
When: Saturday, December 4, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Phone: (206) 838-7338

Click Title For More Information

Linda's Haiku

To Z-Coils
I walk with a spring
To step without pain and see
a coil unwinds me

Puyallup Fair: Audio Interview: I was 300lbs and it hurt to walk

Audio Interview Since wearing Z-CoiLs, I lost 85lbs, started walking and stopped talking my diabetes meds...

Reuters AlertNet - Overweight urged to slim down to cut diabetes risk

Reuters AlertNet - Overweight urged to slim down to cut diabetes risk: "LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Half the world's diabetes cases could be eliminated by curbing the soaring number of people who are overweight, health experts said on Tuesday.
Diabetes already affects 194 million people and the number is expected to rise to 333 million by 2025. But even a moderate weight loss can delay onset of the illness.
'Fifty percent of type 2 diabetes is potentially preventable by stopping excessive weight gain and obesity,' said Professor Martin Silink, president-elect of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
'A modest weight loss of 5-10 percent can result in major reductions in the risk of diabetes,' he told a teleconference ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14.
Diabetes is a chronic illness caused by a deficiency or lack of insulin. The hormone produced by the pancreas helps the glucose, or sugar, from food get into cells.
If a person does not produce enough insulin or if it isn't used properly by the body, glucose stays in the blood.
People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin and need daily injections. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of the disease, is caused by an inability to make enough, or to properly use insulin.
About 90 percent of sufferers have type 2 diabetes, which is linked to being overweight or obese."

By Patricia Reaney

Dr Comfort Shoes

Dr Comfort Shoes: "Dr. Comfort is dedicated to providing the highest quality and comfort in diabetic shoes exclusively through the podiatric practice. By providing a proprietary custom designed product we can assure the patient true comfort and style, thereby assuring patient satisfaction and compliance. With increased compliance, we hope to reduce the adverse effects of diabetics on your patient."

Diabetes Self Management Magazine Ad November 2004

American Diabetes Association: November is American Diabetes Month!

American Diabetes Month - American Diabetes Association: "Did you know that diabetes and heart disease are linked? People with diabetes are at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Their heart attacks tend to be more serious and can happen early in life. In fact, two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Both women and men are at risk.

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke."



If you have diabetes, your doctor or health care team may have told you about the importance of inspecting your feet every day. This is because diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet, making it hard for you to feel wounds. If a wound is left untreated, it can become infected and develop into an ulcer. Foot ulcers can put you at risk for amputation.

Even if you know a wound is there and you're treating it, it's important to inspect it every day because diabetes can interfere with healing. For a long time, scientists thought this was because diabetes caused obstructions or blockages in the small blood vessels of your feet. If the blood vessels are blocked, oxygen-rich blood can't get to the wound to help it heal. (more)

Post Card: One-Year Anniversary Announcement

Step Into Wellness at the One Year Anniversary of Your2Feet, the wellness center for your feet! We’ll be giving away great prizes including innovative Z-CoiL® pain relief footwear and Lyncos® arch supports.

Where: 1201 Pine Street
(Across 1-5 one block east of Boren Ave at the corner of Minor and Pine)

When: Saturday, December 4th
1:00pm to 4:00pm

Your2Feet is the Seattle destination for innovative pain relief

We offer:

• Pressure Mat Foot Analysis
• Personalized foot care
• Foot care products
• Podiatric foot and ankle surgery
• Therapeutic/performance enhancing socks
• Therapeutic shoes for arthritis and diabetes
• Innovative Z-CoiL ® pain relief footwear
  

You must be present to win. Pre-register online at your2feet.com, or register at the event. Come for music and refreshments.

Keep Your Feet Fit For Life Checklist

Did you know that the feet often provide the first sign of more serious health issues, such as diabetes? That’s why it’s important to have your primary care physician or family doctor “knock your socks off” and check your feet every time you go in for a checkup. After all, foot and ankle health is important to your overall well-being, mobility, and pursuit of fitness.

People with diabetes need to pay special attention to their feet and watch carefully for any signs of complications. Here’s a checklist of Do’s and Don’ts for you or your family members who have diabetes:


Do’s

• Inspect feet daily for cuts, blisters, scratches, redness and swelling.
• Remember to inform every doctor you visit that you have diabetes.
• Wash feet daily; always dry carefully between the toes.
• Powder feet, lightly after bathing.
• Cut toenails straight across.
• Keep feet warm and dry.
• Use a good skin lotion to protect your feet from cracking and drying, but not between toes.
• Wear loose-fitting socks to bed if feet are cold; never use heating pads or hot water bottles.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
• Inspect the inside of shoes for foreign objects and torn lining each time you put them on.

Don’ts

• Don’t walk barefoot, even indoors!
• Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces blood circulation; this can lead to the loss of a leg.
• Don’t cut corns or calluses yourself.
• Don’t use caustic chemical agents or any other irritants for the removal of corns and calluses.
• Don’t wear open-toed shoes, particularly sandals with thongs between toes.
  

Family members can play an important role in ensuring that their loved ones keep their feet fit for life. If someone in your family has diabetes, share this checklist with them and remind them to visit their podiatrist. Education and awareness are helpful allies in the prevention of diabetes and its complications.

Frequently Asked Questions Diabetes and the Feet

The human foot has been called the mirror of health and podiatrists are often the first doctors to see signs of systemic conditions, particularly diabetes. But all too often patients forget to ask their primary care physicians to “knock their socks off” and check their feet. Thirteen million people suffer from diabetes, but a whopping 5.2 million are undiagnosed. That’s why it’s important, whether you have diabetes or not, to know what signs and symptoms of diabetes you should be on the look out for and to have your feet checked every time you visit the doctor’s office.

1. Why should I ask my doctor to “knock my socks off”?
Feet do more work than most parts of the body, so it only makes sense to have them checked as often as you do the rest of your body. And since the feet are said to be mirrors of our general health, it’s especially important to remind your primary care physician, who sees you on a regular basis, to check for any signs of diabetes or other diseases that often show up in the feet first.

2. Is it normal for my feet to hurt?
Foot pain is not normal and is often a sign of a more serious medical problem. It is a misconception that foot pain is something that everyone suffers from and many people don’t realize that foot problems can often be treated easily and with a high rate of success. You should see your podiatrist if you experience anything abnormal.

3. I have been diagnosed with diabetes. Should I be worried about the bunions and hammertoes that I’ve been living with?
Bone deformities such as bunions and hammertoes are usually progressive and your podiatrist may recommend correcting them before they get severe. Bone deformities can cause ulcers (sores) that may lead to severe infections and even amputation. Many podiatrists feel that it is better to correct those deformities while your diabetes is under control, earlier in life.

4. How long does it normally take for a sore to heal?
Healthy individuals can expect a sore to improve daily. Sores that do not improve or worsen over time should be evaluated by a podiatrist and may be a symptom of other conditions. Pressure, infection and bone deformities can all contribute to sores, or ulcers, and may need to be addressed in order for the ulcers to heal.

5. Will my nails continue to grow ingrown?
Some ingrown nails are a result of leaving a spicule in the skin and will not be a problem once that spicule is removed. However, if a nail grows curved and ingrown it will likely continue to grow that way because the root of the nail is telling it to do so. Your podiatrist may recommend a permanent removal of that portion of the nail to prevent the ingrown part from returning. Untreated ingrown nails can cause infections that can be severe for a person with diabetes.



6. Why do my feet feel cold?
Cold feet may be a sign of circulation problems. Lack of blood flow to the feet and toes is common for those with diabetes and can make your feet feel cold. Another sign of decreased blood flow is the loss of hair growth on the toes or feet. Decreased blood flow can make it difficult for people with diabetes to heal sores or infections.

7. Is there a special examination to evaluate how much feeling I have in my feet?
Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Signs of neuropathy include: muscle weakness in the legs, pain in the feet and legs, tingling, burning, or numbness in the feet and hands, and decreased pain sensations and loss of feeling. Podiatrists are trained to evaluate the foot for sensation as well as circulation. Many podiatrists who specialize in the care of people with diabetes have more specific means to determine specific levels of neuropathy, such as monofilament wires. If you are experiencing any of the signs of neuropathy, call your doctor right away.

8. I’ve noticed a burning sensation in my feet. Is there anything I can do to stop it?
There are some over the counter creams that can help people with the burning sensation. It is important to have your podiatrist explain how to use these creams properly. Certain medications and ointments could pose risks for those with diabetes and should be avoided.

9. Are there special shoes or inserts that I can wear to keep my feet more comfortable?
Custom orthotic inserts are often made for shoes to help control the way your foot functions. These orthotics are used for many problems, including heel pain, arch pain and bunions. Special diabetic shoes are also available, and may be covered by Medicare. Ask your podiatrist for more information about shoe programs.

10. How should I inspect my feet at home?
Those who suffer from diabetes should check their feet every day. He or she should look for areas of irritation (redness), areas of inflammation (swelling) or any other changes to the feet. Often, people with diabetes lose their sensation and cannot feel an abnormality on their foot so a daily visual inspection becomes very important. If the person with diabetes is older or unable to check their own feet, he or she should ask a friend or family member to assist them. It is also important to check shoes daily for anything that may be hidden inside.

Go Ahead, Knock Your Socks Off!

Reflexes, blood pressure, eyesight and respiration—all are commonly checked during an annual physical exam. But often overlooked during checkups is what many call “the mirror of your health”— the feet.

The human foot often is the first to show initial signs of severe medical conditions, such as diabetes. That’s why the American Podiatric Medical Association is urging those at risk for diabetes to ask for foot exams during their regular checkups.

Diabetes affects 18 million Americans by keeping their bodies from producing or properly using insulin, which is needed to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy.

Unfortunately, many Americans—nearly 5.2 million—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — are unaware they’re diabetic and don’t recognize the disease’s early warning signs, which usually occur in the feet.

When it’s too late, the consequences often are severe: heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and even amputation. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic foot amputations each year.

The good news is there are ways to detect diabetes at its onset, before it does further damage.
“Early detection is paramount and something as simple as taking your shoes and socks off for a foot screening could assist in diagnosis of diabetes earlier,” said APMA President Dr. Lloyd Smith.

In fact, annual foot screenings could reduce diabetic foot amputations by as much as 85 percent, according to APMA. Knowing foot-related diabetes warning signs also is vital in early detection. Alert a family physician or podiatrist to these signs:

· Redness
· Numbness
· Swelling
· Feet feel cold to the touch from decreased blood circulation
· Inflammation
· Noticeable changes to the feet

APMA has launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of having your feet checked regularly. For more information about APMA’s “Knock Your Socks Off” campaign, log on to www.apma.org

Z-CoiL Testimonial of the Month: November

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