ICAA, IPFH and THOR·LO® in Partnership Provide New Sources for Preventive Foot Care

Healthy feet support an active lifestyle for 50+ adults

VANCOUVER, BC (October 7, 2005)-Walking, jogging, playing tennis and engaging in other sports and activities are great ways for 50+ adults to stay active and healthy. And all these activities are more fun and productive supported by healthy feet that are pain-free. While feet do change as people age, pain is never a normal part of aging, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. And the mobility restrictions that can follow foot problems are a leading reason why seniors limit their activities.

Knowing that aging feet can stay pain-free and support an active lifestyle, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) has joined forces with the knowledge base of the Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH) and THOR·LO, Inc, the world leader in protective sock products, to power a rich information source on preventive and therapeutic foot health.

"Maintaining foot health is crucial to overall health," explained Colin Milner, CEO of ICAA. "Our feet are an often-neglected area that, when properly taken care of, can have a huge, positive impact on our quality of life."

The ICAA, IPFH and THOR·LO partnership will enable both older adults and their caregivers to learn about ways to prevent foot problems and recognize common conditions that can be treated. A new Footcare web site at http://www.icaa.cc/footcare.htm provides access to reliable information 24 hours a day. Conference sessions, PowerPoint presentations and educational materials will help spread the word about healthy feet.

The foot is a complex structure, composed of 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, ligaments and muscles. As we age, feet tend to flatten and increase in size; and the fat pads on the bottom of the feet start to dissipate and lose their protective qualities. Skin becomes more dry; and being overweight can affect the muscles and ligaments. There are over 300 foot ailments, but besides medical conditions, the reasons most older adults experience foot problems are the wrong socks, the wrong shoes and poor fitting. Fortunately, with the right socks, the right shoes and proper fitting, many foot problems can be prevented.

The Footcare web site, sponsored by IPFH and THOR·LO, Inc., is divided into five sections: Foot conditions and prevention, the aging foot, foot tests, resources and marketing foot care. Each section contains a collection of articles, links to relevant organizations and publications, and a framework for self-examination of the foot. Self-examination is important because foot conditions can be an early warning signal of diseases such as diabetes.

The Institute for Preventive Foot Health, a non-profit foundation, promotes awareness of, and the need for, preventive foot health as a key to long-term quality of human life. Their commitment to sharing knowledge and improving the quality of life of older adults is reflected in their sponsorship of Active Aging Week, held the last week in September. THOR·LO is the world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative protective sock products for active living. ICAA is the world's largest association of organizations providing physical activity and wellness programs for older adults.

"Everyone knows that an active, quality lifestyle is primarily dependent on exercise and proper nutrition. What we focus on is the reality that you must have healthy feet to walk, and you must walk to exercise," said Jim Throneburg, owner of THOR·LO and Chairman of the IPFH.

About the Institute for Preventive Foot Health
The Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH) promotes awareness of, and the need for, preventive foot health as a key to long-term quality of human life. It also promotes research and education dedicated to preventive foot health practices, products and procedures that contribute to the general well being of the human foot.

About THOR·LO
THOR·LO has pioneered Preventive·Foot·HealthÒ through innovative Thorlos® activity-specific sock product designs since 1980. Thorlos are the only sock products with peer-reviewed, published research to support the claims and benefits of protection and comfort for aging, as well as for younger, feet. THOR·LO is the founding sponsor of the IPFH. For more information, please visit the Thorlos website at www.thorlo.com.

About the International Council on Active Aging
The ICAA is the world's largest association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. It connects a community of like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness (emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social).

Media contacts:

Stephanie Styons, Vice President, PR - Howard, Merrell & Partners
Telephone: 919-848-2400
sstyons@merrellgroup.com
www.merrellgroup.com

Rick Mende, THOR·LO
Telephone: 800-438-0286, ext. 7357
rmende@thorlo.com
www.thorlo.com

J. Lynn Thorneburg, President, Institute for Preventive Foot Health
Telephone: 877-777-IPFH (877-777-4734)
contact@ipfh.org
www.ipfh.org

Colin Milner, CEO, International Council on Active Aging
Toll-free: 866-335-9777 (in North America); tel: 604-734-4466; cell: 604-763-4595
colinmilner@icaa.cc;
www.icaa.cc