Fit feet the benefits of podiatry
6 Dec 2010

Fit feet - the benefits of podiatry

2 mins to read
Find out how podiatry can help to treat and prevent some of the most common ailments affecting your feet.


What is podiatry?

A podiatrist deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of conditions of your feet, ankles and lower leg. Podiatry is a registered and regulated health profession, and a podiatrist must complete University study in a Bachelor of podiatry or higher.

A podiatrist will consider your medical and injury history, footwear, occupation and lifestyle in assessing and diagnosing the health of your feet. Management of foot problems will vary, but may include a variety of physical therapies, the use of instruments and tools, the application of ointments, and the prescription of shoe inserts.

Podiatrists also provide health education for self-care and the prevention of foot problems, especially to athletes, diabetics, elderly and disabled people. Podiatrists work in a variety of locations such as community health centres, private practice, hospitals, sports medicine clinics and nursing homes, and it is not usually necessary to obtain a referral.

What conditions can a podiatrist treat?

Podiatry can help to improve your mobility and independence through the prevention and management of foot problems.  The conditions that a podiatrist will treat can include bone and joint disorders, muscular problems and neurological or circulatory diseases. Some of the common problems that a podiatrist can diagnose and manage include:

  • foot injuries, shin splints and athletes foot;
  • aching feet, cracked heels and heel spurs;
  • thick and ingrown toenails;
  • blisters;
  • corns and calluses;
  • fungal problems and plantar warts;
  • children's foot problems

A podiatrist can also give you advice on athletic footwear and help with occupational health and safety issues. Some jobs are likely to cause foot problems, such as occupations where people stand on hard surfaces for long periods of time.

Did you know? Some of the conditions that a podiatrist can treat include shin splints, athlete’s foot, cracked heels, blisters, calluses and arch pain.

Will I need orthotics?

Podiatrists prescribe orthotics as a non-surgical approach to some foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery. Orthotics are shoe inserts designed to correct individual foot problems by supporting and gently repositioning the heels, arches, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in your feet. They alter the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface, and makes standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient. Orthotics are constructed of various materials, but can be designed to fit in dress shoes, athletic shoes and boots. All types of orthotics provide consistent weight bearing realignment to improve foot function and minimise stress forces that could ultimately cause damage and pain.

Did you know? Orthotics are a shoe insert prescribed by a podiatrist to correct individual foot problems by supporting and gently repositioning the heels, arches, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in your feet.

For more information about podiatrists and podiatry, visit the Australasian Podiatry Council web site. There is information about foot health, and find a registered podiatrist in your area. Go to http://www.apodc.com.au/



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