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 (all of which can now be
found at Still Point House) 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.
