Podiatry (Chiropody)
Podiatry (chiropody) is the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. It is the medical discipline for the treatment of the many foot ailments from which we suffer today. These complaints are caused by a variety of factors including incorrect footwear, poor posture, occupational habits, gait or by deformity due to accident or disease.
Disorders which can be treated include: corns and calluses, nail deformities, in-growing toe nails, skin and nail infections such as Athlete’s foot and verrucae. We also offer advice and some treatments for conditions associated with foot pain, for example: flat feet, hallux valgus (bunions), arthritis, plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and metatarsalgia (forefoot pain) and sport related injuries.
Podiatry / Chiropody – What’s the difference?
It is in fact the same discipline. In 2003 chiropody became a protected profession and with this change the name was changed to podiatry.
In the past it was possible to study for a year and receive a diploma in Chiropody. The title can now only be used by those who have a university degree in podiatry and who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
The diploma is still available and those that study for it use the title Foot Health Practitioner.
Always check the qualifications of your practitioner.
Letters to look out for:
- HCPC Registered
- MChS/FChS – Member/Fellow of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
- DPodM – Diploma in Podiatric medicine
- FCPodS – Podiatric Surgeon
- Bsc (Hons) POD – Bachelor of Science degree in Podiatric Medicine
Podiatry Treatments
Our excellent podiatrists offer a wide range of general podiatry treatments and some speciality treatments for common conditions.
This list is not exhaustive:
Corns
Hard skin
Ingrown toenails
Thick toenails
Fungal nail infection
Fungal skin infection (athletes foot)
Foot pain & discomfort
Pressure relief
Heel pain
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles tendinopathy
Arch pain
Bunions
Mortons neuroma
Diabetic foot care
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
We use a variety of treatments to ensure the best outcome for patient foot problems, including acupuncture, insoles/orthoses, padding, strapping and various devices to help relieve pain and pressure.
We supply and fit both chair-side and bespoke orthotics, following biomechanical assessment. The aim is to reduce and prevent foot fatigue, foot deformities and pressures on the feet which would otherwise result in reduced activities and pain in the feet and legs. Some issues which can be addressed are flat feet, pronation or high arched feet. (See our biomechanics section).
Podiatric Acupuncture
What is Podiatric acupuncture?
Podiatric acupuncture is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body. In podiatry, we treat only the lower limb from the knee down to the feet.
Acupuncture is generally very safe. Serious side effects are very rare (for example the formation of a blood clot within the body’s tissue) and occur in less than one per 10,000 treatments.
In podiatry acupuncture can help in many ways, the obvious ones being pain relief for:
- arthritic joints
- plantar fasciitis
- heel spurs
- Morton’s neuroma
- bunions
- Achilles tendonitis
- stress fractures
Acupuncture can also help with:
- restless legs
- headaches
- muscle pain
- gout
- Raynaud’s disease
- Varicose ulcers
Single-use, sterile, disposable needles are used in this clinic.