Special shoes relieve foot, back pain

12:57 PM CDT on Friday, April 23, 2004

By Olga Campos/ KVUE News

A new line of footwear available in Austin literally puts a spring coil underneath your heel.

As the owner of a health food store, Yvonne Graham is always on her feet. But it's her past as a world class runner that left her in pain.

"I wasn't able to run at least six years. I had three times reconstructive surgery on one foot. All together I had seven surgeries," explains Graham.

Her pain ended and mobility began when she put on a pair of Z-Coil shoes.

"They looked really not good, but the moment I put them on, they started looking really good And feeling great," adds Graham.

But its not just athletes who benefit from the unusual looking shoes.

It's anyone who spends time on his or her feet -- or who has experienced all types of injuries.

"We've had a lot of people in car accidents, who've broken their backs, shattered their feet, their ankles, knee replacements, all these different issues because reducing the impact as you walk and as you step has an effect all the way up your spine," explains Celia Tellez of Total Relief Footwear.

The open coil design isn't cheap.

Pairs range from $140 to $250, yet the coils can be replaced.

Clients, however, say the price and even the funny look is worth the relief provided by the Z-Coil shoes.

For more information, click here.