The word Chiropody is derived from the greek words: chiro (hand) and pody (foot), so it means "the hand on the foot".
What is Chiropody?
It’s the care and maintenance of the feet by a professional practitioner. To assess particular conditions, that can make the feet painful or uncomfortable, and by using preventive methods to ensure developing problems are relieved and so do not occur.
Why would I need Chiropody?
You may need Chiropody because you cannot reach your toenails to cut them, or because they are ingrown and uncomfortable. You may have hard calluses, corns, blisters, dry hard cracked skin on your heels, fungus on your nails, or thickened nails which may need reducing before cutting. You may also need advice on footwear in general.
What does the treatment entail?
The treatment will involve the practitioner discussing your health and foot problems, devising your treatment plan, assessing your feet and treating your particular problems. Cutting nails, reducing thick nails, treating diseased nails and offsetting pressure points on the foot. We may also provide palliative orthotics to help conditions affecting the feet and advise on foot products and on treatment for some skin problems which affect the feet. You may also be given advice regarding which shoes would be most appropriate for you and about foot care in general apart from any specific problems that you have.
Why is Chiropody important?
It is important because if your feet are uncomfortable than more often then not your body feels uncomfortable.
Are there any other benefits from Chiropody?
Positively yes! Your feet are good indicator of the body’s general health. Chiropody can help to prevent illness and aid the body‘s general health and well being. For example if you are diabetic then Chiropody is vitally important to you. As diabetes is a disease which can affect the feet, this can be assessed and monitored by your Chiropodist.
Why is Diabetes so important in its connection with feet?
Diabetes is just one of the many conditions that affects the body. It particularly affects the body’s ability to feel sensation thorough the skin, e.g. extreme temperatures, pressure etc and also affects its ability to heal. It is vitally important that diabetic feet are assessed regularly and that the diseases progression is monitored. Chiropodists are part of the clinical team that monitor this condition.
Overall
Chiropody for all is usually quite a pleasurable and enjoyable experience in the Clinic!
Your feet will thank you for it!
Costs: £23 for treatment lasting 30 minutes