Chiropodists or podiatrists as it is more commonly known are trained professionals who specialize in the treatment of feet or lower limbs. Having good foot health is highly important as they are the normally the only contact patches used for being mobile.
Chiropodists are available to provide advice, diagnosis and treatment of common foot ailments and problems. The frequent visitor to a chiropodist would be a person who has fallen arches, verrucas, corns, nail problems and deformities. A chiropodist is generally interested in the preventative measures which can be made to stop disorders from occurring as well as helping cure the common foot problems.
Sports persons are frequent visitors to chiropodists as their lower limbs and feet can take massive stresses, such as marathon runners. The chiropodist can arrange investigation and treatment for any historical problems which can cause problems. Arch problems can be helped from inner soles or in-soles which correct the placement and arrangement of the foot during normal use and extreme exercise.
Specialist equipment, which the patient would stand on, can be used to measure the weight transfer between the feet. Any odd results can cause not only foot problems but legs, joints and back pain. Chiropractors (professional spinal doctors) are known to work in conjunction with chiropodists to ensure problems are straightened out throughout the whole body.
It's not only sports people who see chiropodists; people with poor circulation or diabetes are encouraged to have regular check-ups. Chiropodists can offer treatment and cures which other therapists cannot offer. They can arrange orthotic devices and in-soles which usually need to be custom made to fit which regular physicians are not permitted to prescribe.
Most chiropodists are located at hospitals or private practices. They generally have patients referred to them and thus the diagnosis period would start again, to ensure every aspect of the foot disorder has been thoroughly checked. Some therapists are diversifying into aromatherapy and reflexology which are used alongside general clinical treatments, of which cryotherapy is one. It is not totally uncommon for a podiatrist to visit the patient's home and offer treatment there, although a call out cost can sometime ensue.
The treatment of skin related or dermatological related diseases, are covered by a chiropodist such as callouses, in-growing toenails and fungal infections. The long term management of chronic foot disorders is the most common patient in a chiropody clinic as well as monitoring and treating amputees. The analysis of how a person walks by correcting the anatomical relationship between weight transfer and the foot are generally found with those needing corrective footwear or lower leg braces.
As we can see chiropodists or podiatrists are the clinicians who diagnose and determine the treatment for patients with feet problems. Sufferers can be amputees, diabetes patients, people with poor circulation and sports professionals. The treatment can range from orthotics or footwear aids to specialist massages to relieve the pain or discomfort. Should need treatment, find your local clinic or ask to be referred by your GP.
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