While every human is individual and unique in their own way, a similarity most of us share is that we have two feet we heavily rely upon to get us from point A to point B. Therefore, ensuring our feet are healthy and well looked after is of utmost importance.
Foot Health Podiatry are celebrating International Podiatry Day on October 8. We wish to spread awareness about common foot conditions and provide education on how to take a step in the right direction for better foot health.
There are many conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, as well as lifestyle factors like footwear, occupation, sporting activities which both directly and indirectly impact the health of your feet.
What’s the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist?
In Ireland, the terms ‘podiatrist’ and ‘chiropodist’ refer to the same profession with both being protected in law. This means that anyone calling themselves by either title will have a BSc qualification and will be registered with CORU.
The now nearly redundant title of ‘chiropodist’ has been replaced by ‘podiatrist’ to reflect the degree level of training, the associated level of expertise, and vastly expanded scope of practice.
When should I see a podiatrist, and what conditions do they typically treat?
We advise consulting a podiatrist for any foot or ankle pain, discomfort, instability or unusual symptoms.
podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, skin and nail issues, ingrown toenails, sports injuries, diabetic foot complications, bunions and various musculoskeletal disorders that affect the lower limbs.
How do I know if my podiatrist is fully qualified?
The terms ‘podiatrist’ and ‘chiropodist’ are protected by law, so if the person you find to treat your feet does not have either term in their professional title, they are not a podiatrist and will not be qualified to offer the same skills or standards of care.
All qualified podiatrists in Ireland are now required to register with CORU, the state body that regulates health and social care professionals, you may check that your podiatrist is registered at www.CORU.ie The terms podiatrist’ and ‘chiropodist’ are protected titles in order protect the public and so the public understands that podiatrists are highly qualified medical professionals who have completed a comprehensive education and training.
How can podiatry contribute to overall health and well-being?
Podiatry plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health by addressing issues that may affect mobility, balance and quality of life.
Proper foot care can prevent complications related to chronic conditions like diabetes, improve athletic performance and enhance overall comfort and functionality.
What treatments do podiatrists offer?
At Foot Health Podiatry Clinic we provide the following treatments:
Routine footcare
Minor surgery for ingrowing toenails
Prescription Orthotics
Shock wave Therapy to promote healing and alleviate pain
Advanced treatments for verruca e.g. K Laser
Therapeutic Laser for pain relief and tissue healing
Vascular assessments
Wound care
Reduction of thickened skin and nails
Fungal nail advice and treatment e.g. Laser
Dry needling
Exercise prescription
Sports taping / strapping
Prescription footwear
What are custom orthotics? How do they benefit foot health?
Custom orthotics are prescribed by podiatrists to address specific biomechanical issues and relieve foot pain.
They are a prescribed device designed for your biomechanics, foot shape, and activity level. Their aim is to enhance stability, correct gait abnormalities and reduce strain on overused structures.
What is shock wave therapy?
Shock wave therapy is used in the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions e.g. Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome/Shin Splints, to promote healing and alleviate pain.
What is a K Laser?
K laser uses selected wavelengths of light to stimulate key molecules in human tissue, this accelerates the healing process and reduces pain sensation. There are many applications to using K Laser e.g.in the treatment of acute and chronic sport injuries, arthritic joints and repetitive strain injuries.
Will my insurance cover my treatment cost?
The major Health Insurance providers in Ireland cover treatment by podiatrists who are registered with CORU.
Your level of cover will vary in accordance with your individual health insurance plan. Contact your insurer to see what is included in your cover.
You may also be eligible to claim tax relief for your podiatry treatments.
When should I call a podiatrist for an appointment?
It is not normal to have pain or discomfort in your ankles, feet or lower limbs, particularly if it has been going on for longer than one week. To avoid long-term problems developing, make an appointment with a podiatrist so you can have the issue evaluated and treated.
Foot Health Podiatry have clinics in Galway and Mayo,
Call: 091 739333
Email: [email protected]
Online: www.FootHealthGalway.ie Is some level of foot pain normal?
No - foot pain at any level is not normal and should not be ignored as it is a clear sign that something is not right. If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, it is important that you see a podiatrist before the problem worsens and becomes more difficult to treat.
Foot and ankle pain can develop from everyday injuries or sports injuries. Other causes of pain are related to:
Too much activity
A sudden increase in activity levels
Improper foot support / footwear
Weakness or tightness of the muscles of the lower limb
Circulation problems
Nerve irritation and many more.
If you find yourself suffering from any of these or other issues, make an appointment to see a podiatrist.
Do podiatrists do call out visits for people who are infirm?
Yes, at Foot Health Podiatry we provide treatment for people in their homes, hospital and residential care homes.
Below are five things that I wish everyone knew to help maintain healthy feet.
Tips you can do to ensure you enter each day with your best foot forward:
Stretch your calves!
Podiatry is not all about toenails, we also work a lot with gait problems and foot pain. A common contributor to foot pain is tight calves. Tight calves can pull the heel up causing an early heel lift, resulting in incorrect pressure distribution through the middle and front of our foot. This puts a lot more weight through other foot structures causing them to be painful and tender.
A way to help relieve some foot pain is by doing simple calf stretches regularly. This can include holding a lunge while you’re brushing your teeth or pulling the front of your foot back with a towel when sitting on the couch watching TV.
Apply ‘foot appropriate moisturiser’ regularly
As our skin ages and we lose collagen, our skin gets thinner and less elastic. This makes it very prone to breaks in the skin which can lead to infection.
One way to help our skin is by applying moisturiser every night; paying special attention to our legs and feet. This will help the structural integrity of the skin and reduce the risk of skin breaks.
Shoes matter
As much as everyone loves a flexible and soft shoe, a super soft shoe will do more harm than good in the long run.
A good shoe should have adequate arch support, a small heel raise to ensure the shoe isn’t completely flat, a firm heel cup that doesn’t collapse when pressed down, and it should be a sturdy enough shoe that you can’t bend it in half. Incorrect footwear can cause pain in many places on the foot including the arch, heel, and the balls of your feet.
A quick test for your own shoes is to try bending them in half. If you can do this easily it is probably time for some new shoes!
Don’t go digging when cutting nails
When cutting toenails, it is important to do it in a way that won’t result in pain or discomfort for you down the line. Nails should be cut straight across.
If you cut down the sides, you may cause an ingrown toenail which may lead to pain and/or infection. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, contact us for an appointment!
The feet tell all
While your eyes may be a window to your soul, your feet are a window to your health. Did you know that a podiatrist can get a pretty good idea of your artery health from looking at your toenails, the health of your veins from looking at your legs and even the way you walk by looking at the callus on your foot? Almost everything that impacts our health will impact our feet in some way or another.
For example, a person with diabetes who has high blood sugar levels may develop a condition called peripheral neuropathy which will alter their foot sensation and can lead to wounds.
