Podiatry - more than just feet
- Apr 3, 2017
- 1 min read
Updated: Mar 11, 2021
It’s well known amongst my patients, my family and my friends that I'm passionate about my job. Podiatry though, I feel, is undervalued.
The years of study and training were tough, but the best learning came after I’d earned my qualifications. I learnt so much from my peers and my patients but my love of the profession was properly ignited when I discovered that podiatry was far more than we were ever taught - that we really could make a difference in people's lives, and that we could be the true lower limb specialists.
I was asked recently if I might consider talking to school children with regards to career possibilities in podiatry. It’s certainly food for thought. I wish people wouldn't recoil when they hear what I do - I love my job, the people I meet and, best of all, seeing the relief on patients faces when I’ve done a good job.
I have a new understanding of pain and of how to relieve it. There are wonderful people out there that continue to teach great new methods and inspire us to always seek out the best for out patients. I would like to know that others might feel passion for the job and see podiatry is more than just feet!
This title really hit home for me! I used to think podiatrists were just for people with bunions or ingrown toenails, but my perspective completely shifted a few years ago. I'd been dealing with this persistent, dull ache in my knee for months, and it was really starting to impact my daily walks. After seeing a few different specialists who couldn't pinpoint the issue, my physical therapist suggested I see a podiatrist, explaining how foot mechanics can influence the entire kinetic chain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_bingo I was skeptical, but within one appointment, the podiatrist identified a subtle pronation issue in my arch that was causing my knee pain. With custom orthotics and some targeted exercises, the knee pain disappeared within weeks. It…
This title really hit home for me! I used to think podiatry was strictly about dealing with blisters or ingrown toenails, you know, the superficial stuff. But a few years ago, I started experiencing this persistent pain in my ankle that was really affecting my ability to walk comfortably, let alone enjoy my hiking trips. I finally saw a podiatrist, and it turns out the issue wasn't just my ankle itself but had to do with the alignment of my foot and how it was impacting my gait https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roulette They fitted me with custom orthotics, and it was like night and day. Not only did my ankle pain subside, but I noticed my knee and even my lower back felt…