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Do you think you may need to see a podiatrist? Learn more about the role of podiatrists in foot health – and how this can benefit your general overall health.
Podiatrists are foot health experts who are university-trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs. Often, these conditions stem from other underlying health issues such as diabetes, stress fractures and arthritis
Your feet house a quarter of the bones in our entire bodies – in addition to various muscles, ligaments and joints. This makes them extremely vulnerable to injury and diseases that can affect the entire body.
A podiatrist will not just look at your foot, but they will carry out a biomechanical assessment to see how your gait can be impacting other parts of your body, such as your hips. (Your gait is the way you walk.)
Podiatrists
fully understand the structure and movement of the foot and lower limbs. They are able to diagnose foot conditions, identify systemic overall health conditions that present with foot or lower limb symptoms – and recommend
appropriate treatment plans.
You may be experiencing pain in your feet, ingrown or discoloured skin/nails, corns, skin rashes, foot odour, foot injuries, broader health problems such as diabetes or arthritis, recurrent tripping or falling, problems
fitting comfortably in your regular shoes; or if you notice swelling, lumps, or redness on your feet or legs.
It is a common misconception that painful feet are a normal side effect from everyday activities.
Yet
research shows that only a fraction of individuals suffering from sore feet seek out professional advice. Just as you would visit your dentist for a toothache, you should visit a podiatrist if you suffer from painful
or tired feet and/or lower limbs.
Corns and calluses are common skin conditions of the feet that can be easily treated, but good foot care and properly fitted shoes can prevent them developing.
No-one likes to talk about it, but many people experience fungal and nail infections. Read on to see how to avoid these types of infections, and what to do if you have an infection on your feet or toenails.
Fungal toenails (oncyhomycosis) are a persistent and embarrassing problem. The infection becomes apparent through the development of nail discoloration, thickening, and crumbling toenails.
The most common nail to grow in is the big toe
If you have a wart it is most likely that you will have caught it from a communal floor such
as a swimming pool or changing room but it could just as easily have been at home or on
holiday.
Are you experiencing pain in your feet or lower limbs? This can provide clues to many related ailments throughout your body. Here is a round-up of what your various pain signals may indicate.
Ready to buy some new shoes? Carry out these five steps first, to ensure your feet stay healthy and well-protected.
Ageing is a fact of life. After your feet have carried you millions of kilometres through your life, they can eventually wear down. But there are ways to keep your feet healthy as you age – through proper maintenance, care and regular check-ups.
Arch supports refers to any device placed into a shoe, ranging from felt pads to custom-made shoe inserts that correct an irregular or abnormal walking pattern.
Lymphedema is a disruption in the normal flow of lymph resulting in an accumulation of interstitial proteins
If you can understand how you move – and the impact this can have on your body and overall health – then you are well placed to resolve a range of health issues early on.
Have you wondered about the connection between diabetes and your feet? Here is what you need to know about your feet and diabetes – and why it is so important to look after your health.
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