CHIROPODY

Registered Chiropodists treat foot problems and help you prevent them. As a primary health care professional, chiropodists treat foot aches, infections and sores, toenail problems, bunions and foot issues resulting from underlying conditions like diabetes. They can also cast for orthotics.

FOOT HEALTH

When your feet hurt, everything hurts! Your feet have a tough job to do. During your life they carry and move you ever miles of ground. A marvel of biological engineering, it is subject to more injury than any other part of the body.

Sometimes your feet can give you trouble. The skin or toenails can be thick, infected or sore. Your joints can be stiff or sore. Walking can be hard to do because you have worked your feet too hard and injured them. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or poor circulation can cause foot problems. Chiropodists can treat these conditions and relieve your sore feet.

TREATMENTS

Chiropodists give advice about shoes and foot care. They trim callouses and corns and care for thick toenails. They also treat ingrown and fungal nails. Chiropodists can treat the sores and foot ulcers resulting from diabetes. Treatment is also available for athlete’s foot and other fungal diseases like warts. Chiropodists also cast for custom made orthotics, which are inserts for your shoes.

ORTHOTICS

Orthotics improve walking patterns, balance an d your ability to move about more efficiently and comfortably. Orthotics can relieve foot pain associated with plantar faciitis or heal spur, flat feet, high arch feet, bunions, corns and callouses and sports-related foot problems. Your chiropodist can provide a comprehensive biomedical assessment to determine if orthotics are right for you.

FOOT CARE AT HOME

Wash your feet daily using lukewarm water and mild soap. Remember to dry between the toes so that moisture does not get trapped. Cut your nails straight across using a clipper. Do not try to “round nails off”. Never attempt to cut corns or callouses or use over-the-counter medications. Consult your chiropodist instead.

Select footwear made from natural fibres. Buy shoes with enough room so your toes can move freely when walking. Save the stilettos for special occasions. Your feet will thank you!

FOOT CARE & DIABETES

Foot care is very important for people with diabetes. Regular foot care can help prevent serious foot problems. Diabetes can damage blood vessels, causing poor blood flow to the feet. This can cause slower healing and increase your risk of foot infection. Diabetes can damage nerves, causing a loss of feeling. People with diabetes may hurt their feet and not know it.

Not every person with diabetes will have these problems, but all diabetics should take care of their feet. Your chiropodist can help you avoid serious foot problems.