What does a chiropodist do?
So what is a chiropodist? and what does a chiropodist do? Some people don’t really know what we do or the areas we cover, or most importantly how we can help you! After all our job is to help people with their problems in order to make their lives more comfortable.
Did you know that on average our feet take us through 6,000 steps a day? That’s over one and a half million steps a year, the equivalent of five times around the earth in an average lifetime. Imagine the blisters, corns, callus, bunions, hard skin, cracked heels, nail problems, and sprained ankles, not to mention knees, hip, and back problems that trip costs us.
Feet are probably the most neglected part of our body and yet they are one of the most important. If you’ve ever had foot problems you know how physically and mentally debilitating they are. A chiropodist is a highly trained medical practitioner. They are trained to treat problems with the feet and lower limbs. You may have heard of a podiatrist? Well, we are one and the same in effect! The term podiatrist is just a more modern name for a podiatrist.
We are regulated by the College of Podiatry which is the regulatory body for podiatrists and chiropodists in the UK.
What does a Chiropodist do?
A chiropodist can deal with many kinds of foot problems like chiropractors medical practitioners who treat patients with an emphasis on overall health, from calluses to surgery. Some of the main problems you will see a chiropodist deal with are:
VERRUCA TREATMENT
A verruca can be very painful if left untreated. It can give a sharp pain through the foot when standing and can make walking painful. They can take a long time to go alone and over-the-counter treatments can often be ineffective. A chiropodist can provide a much wider range of treatment for verrucas and can offer a much quicker and more efficient form of treatment.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections of the foot such as athlete’s foot cause rashes that can cause itching and burning. If left untreated it can re-occur. A chiropodist can treat the infection and also investigate the cause of the problem to prevent it from returning.
Corns And Calluses
Do you have hard thick areas of skin on your feet? They are not a cause for concern but can cause pain if it builds up and you may experience discomfort when walking. A chiropodist will remove the build-up of hard skin which will relieve the pain when you walk.
We can also deal with problems such as thickened or discoloured toenails, cracking skin. scaling or peeling of skin on the foot, or ingrown toenails.
Orthotics
A chiropodist or podiatrist can supply orthotics. These are tailor-made insoles, padding, or arch supports to relieve arch or heel pain. They are placed inside your footwear to help realign your foot and make walking more comfortable. If you suffer from flat feet or foot pain then this may be an option to help treat you.
Do I Need To See A Chiropodist?
Do you suffer from foot pain? Don’t wait for the pain to start before you see a chiropodist. If you feel you have something developing that may cause you problems in the near future, book an appointment to get it seen by a professional.
Even if your feet are in good general health you may want to visit a chiropodist to take care of hard skin removal and clip your toenails.
What will happen at my chiropodist appointment?
Your chiropodist will want to take down any medical history you have and perform a few basic tests on your feet to check blood circulation and physically. They will want to see you walk and how you move when you walk. They will then discuss any findings and suggest a treatment plan for you if needed.
Can I Have A Chiropodist Home Visit?
The Richards Centre does offer home visits for chiropody if needed. Our friendly chiropody team will be happy to help assist you.