Are your feet issues causing you discomfort? If you feel that your feet are torturing you in every step you take, you need a foot doctor. But upon searching the web, you saw that Google recommended that you see a podiatrist or a chiropodist.
Along with the pain on your feet, choosing between a podiatrist and a chiropodist is giving you a headache. You’re wondering what’s the difference between these two terms and the meaning of each. If you want to know the meaning behind these terms, read on.
Podiatrist or Chiropodist: Brief History
History can be boring for some people, but knowing how the terms podiatry and chiropody came into existence is how you will know the differences between them.
It all started in the 60s. During that time, the word ‘podiatry’ was not yet in the picture, but chiropody was already in practice.
Chiropody was an unregulated profession and wasn’t considered a part of medicine at that time. Chiropodists were known only to provide foot inserts to alleviate their patients’ pain, who visited them due to foot injury caused by diabetes or arthritis.
In 1977, in Australia, the term ‘chiropodist’ changed to ‘Podiatrist’ to eliminate confusion. It was when the registration for chiropractors became mandatory before they could render their services.
On the other hand, in countries like the UK, people still use the term chiropodists. But unlike before, aspiring podiatrists or chiropodists nowadays undergo intense training to acquire their license.
A license is a must because podiatrists presently do more than provide foot inserts for their patients. They may order lab tests and x-rays or even perform surgeries.
What Are the Services Offered by Podiatrists?
Podiatrists can provide basic foot care services, such as calluses removal and nail trimming.
But podiatry has expanded into several sub specialisations. For this reason, podiatrists can provide a wide range of services, depending on their chosen field. At the Footwork Clinic, sports podiatry is our specialisation.
Sports podiatrists specialise in treating the injuries many athletes commonly encounter in playing their sports. It includes issues, such as athlete’s foot, ingrown, sprain, shin splints, and other lower limb issues.
We provide different kinds of services, such as foot screening, assessments, and therapies. The following are a few of the many treatments and rehabilitation measures we offer:
- Nail bracing
- General foot care
- Western medical acupuncture
- IntreX therapy
- Shockwave therapy and heel pain
- Trigenics Functional muscle neurology
When Is the Right Time to Visit a Podiatrist?
If you’re looking for foot care services to pamper yourself for professional toenail trimming, calluses removal, or plantar warts treatment, you can visit us, and we will take care of your feet.
If you are an athlete whose feet are one of your most important assets, you should visit us more often, even if you’re not in pain yet. Visiting a sports podiatrist ensures that your feet are always healthy and functioning at their best. We can provide you with information on the wearables you can use to prevent injuries as you play your sports.
Regularly visiting a sports podiatrist ensures that your feet are always in check. The screening helps take care of any hidden issues you have that might become a more serious problem in the future.
Conclusion
Now that you know the brief history of the terms ‘podiatry’ and ‘chiropody,’ you do not have to worry about which professional to call. Because now, you already know that you can interchange the terms, although ‘podiatrist’ is a popular term in Australia.
But no matter how you want to call your foot doctor, the most important thing is you have your feet checked for possible issues, especially if you’re an athlete.
If you need a sports podiatrist or general foot care services, visit Footwork Clinic and book now!
