PostalReporter.com- Oh, My Aching Feet,

Small Victory for Postal Workers Who Depend on Z-Coil Shoes-

When the U.S. Postal Service banned Z-Coil footwear in the workplace, many postal workers who depend on their Pain Relief Footwear to do their jobs were outraged. Z-Coil Footwear’s corporate office believes the ban to be unjust, based on a lack of understanding about the footwear, and has been seeking to have the decision reversed.

Happily for many postal workers in pain, USPS supervisors in some enlightened districts are now allowing employees to wear Z-Coil shoes with a doctor's prescription, provided there are no obvious hazards in their work zone, such as loose cords and cables. Some offices also require the use of Enclosed Coil System heels.

These heel coils encased in durable foam rubber come standard on the Cloudwalker ST and the Z-Duty Work Boot. Available in white or black, they can also be purchased separately at any Z-Coil store. (source: Z-Coil)

USPS Postal Workers Up in Arms Over Shoes (3/1/04)
Postal Employees in Pain Forbidden to Wear Z-CoiL Footwear

Study: Postal workers respond positively to shoe inserts

How Fit Are Your Feet?
Self Assessment Quiz from the Foot Health Foundation of America

Top 10 Foot Problems & Health Tips
Foot Ailment	Description	Treatment
Achilles Tendinitis	Irritation and inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis can be caused by improper warm up or overtraining.	Can be treated with ice, rest, aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications. Chronic pain or any swelling should be professionally evaluated.

Bunions	Misaligned big toe joints which can become swollen and tender, causing the first joint of the big toe to slant outward, and the second joint to angle toward the other toes. Bunions tend to be hereditary, but can be aggravated by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot and toe.	Surgery by a podiatric physician is frequently recommended to correct the problem.

Hammertoe	A condition, usually stemming from muscle imbalance, in which the toe is bent in a claw-like position. It occurs most frequently with the second toe, often when a bunion slants the big toe toward and under it, but any of the other three smaller toes can be affected.	Selecting shoes and socks that do not cramp the toes will alleviate aggravation.

Heel Spurs	Growths of bone on the underside, forepart of the heel bone. Heel spurs occur when the plantar tendon pulls at its attachment to the heel bone. This area of the heel can later calcify to form a spur.	With proper warm-up and the use of appropriate athletic shoes, strain to the ligament can be reduced.

Ingrown Toenails	Nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin. Ingrown toenails are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity and poor foot structure. Women are 50% more likely to have ingrown toenails than men.	Can be prevented by trimming toenails straight across, selecting proper shoe style and size - not too tapered or shallow - and paying special attention to foot pain.

Neuromas	Enlarged benign growths of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. They are caused by tissue rubbing against and irritating the nerves. Pressure from ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone structure can create the condition as well.	Treatments include orthoses (shoe inserts) and/or cortisone injections, but surgical removal of the growth is sometimes necessary.

Plantar Fasciitis	Plantar fasciitis (or heel pain) is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot.	A podiatric physician can evaluate arch pain, and may prescribe customized shoe inserts called orthoses to help alleviate the pain.

Sesamoiditis	Sometimes known as the "ball bearings of the foot," the sesamoids are two small bones found beneath the first metatarsal bones. They can inflame or rupture under the stress of exercise.	Sesamoiditis can be relieved with proper shoe selection and orthoses.

Shin Splints	Pain to either side of the leg bone, caused by muscle or tendon inflammation. It is commonly related to excessive foot pronation (collapsing arch), but may be related to a muscle imbalance between opposing muscle groups in the leg.	Proper stretching and corrective orthoses (shoe inserts) for pronation can help prevent shin splints.

Stress Fractures	One of the various types of fractures, stress fractures require vastly different treatment. Stress fractures are incomplete cracks in bone caused by overuse.	With complete rest, stress fractures heal quickly. Extra padding in shoes helps prevent the condition. Note: Stress fractures left untreated may become complete fractures, which require casting and immobilization.

Health Tips

Foot Health Tips

Properly fitted shoes are essential; an astonishing number of people wear shoes that don't fit right, and cause serious foot problems.

A shoe with a firm sole and soft upper is best for daily activities.

Shop for shoes in the afternoon; feet tend to swell during the day.

Walking is the best exercise for your feet.

Pantyhose or stockings should be of the correct size and preferably free of seams.

Do not wear constricting garters or tie your stockings in knots.

Never cut corns and calluses with a razor, pocket knife, or other such instrument; use over-the-counter foot products only with the advice of a podiatrist.

Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm (not hot) water, using a mild soap, preferably one containing moisturizers, or use a moisturizer separately. Test the water temperature with your hand.

Trim or file your toenails straight across.

Inspect your feet every day or have someone do this for you. If you notice any redness, swelling, cracks in the skin, or sores, consult your podiatrist.

Have your feet examined by a DPM at least twice a year.

Source: The Foot Health Foundation of America, a national health initiative of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

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