The terms chiropody and
podiatry are used interchangeably and are protected by law.
Podiatrists/Chiropodists specialise in keeping feet in a healthy
condition. They play a particularly important role in helping older people
to stay mobile and, therefore, independent. A Chiropodist/Podiatrist can
provide advice and treatment for painful nails, skin disorders, athlete’s
foot and fungal nail infections as well as cracked heels and aching feet?
If this sounds like you then a visit to a chiropodist may help.
Many people take their feet
for granted until they become painful or they develop a problem. As your
body ages you may find changes within your feet. Arthritis, swelling,
changes in body weight and damage through trauma can all take their toll
on you feet. A lifetime of wear and tear can result in painful and
deformed joints and nails, corns and hard skin. Sometimes just reaching
down to cut nails can seem impossibility if you have a painful spine or
disability. Often people want to know how they can help themselves and
most Chiropodists/Podiatrists will be able to offer foot care and foot
wear advice.
Common complaints
presenting within the clinic include chilblains, corns from new shoes and
boots and painful nails, often foot care and advice about shoes is enough
to prevent recurrences of painful conditions. As well as treating everyday
corns and hard skin and cutting nails, we can also help to diagnose common
foot complaints such as athletes foot and fungal nails and offer advice on
safe treatments or refer you to your GP if necessary. Painful nails are a
common recurring problem, usually a few treatments within the clinic is
all that is required, but if necessary some practitioners, such as myself,
are qualified to perform nail surgery under local anaesthetic.
Some painful problems
within the feet and legs seem to have no obvious source, but through a
podiatrist, with biomechanical training can sometimes be diagnosed and
treated within the clinic. Painful heels, toes, knees and even a bad back
can sometimes be traced to problems within the feet or are related to the
way you walk. In these instances some insoles or orthotics can be useful
in relieving painful symptoms in conjunction with giving advice and useful
exercises. A podiatrist may also refer patients to their GP if they
suspect Gout, diabetes, rheumatic illnesses or problems with the blood
supply to the feet. Quite frequently we also refer people for osteopathy,
physiotherapy, massage or acupuncture to complement more traditional
treatments.
| Before any treatment
commences a good practitioner will always take a thorough medical
history and undertake a comprehensive examination of the problem area
as well as looking at the general condition of the feet or legs. It is
quite usual for a podiatrist to check the blood supply and level of
feeling in the feet. The general condition of the skin, nails and
anatomical structure of the feet will be checked and thorough notes
taken. Any treatment necessary will be undertaken and you can expect
your first appointment to take between half an hour and forty-five
minutes. A biomechanical assessment, where an in depth examination of
muscles, bone structure and movement of the body is undertaken can
take between one hour and one and half hours. |
|
As a Chiropodist/
Podiatrist I am able to diagnose and treat a wide range of lower limb
problems. Having graduated from the University of Plymouth with a first
class honours degree in Podiatry I have worked within the NHS and the
private sector giving me the knowledge and experience to work with
everyone from the very young to the very old. I am experienced at working
with those at risk from complications arising from strokes, diabetes and
rheumatic diseases and utilise the most up to date information and
techniques I provide holistic, empathetic and effective treatments for a
wide range of chiropody problems.
