What Does A Podiatrist Do?

Our lower limbs can be classed as one of the most important features of our bodies.

They can get us from A to B and enable us to undertake many highly beneficial movements within our days. Feet and legs can help to provide support, balance, and better posture for those who use wheelchairs or crutches. Our feet can warn us of factors such as bumps that may cause us to fall. The lower limbs can be a source of overall relaxation and improved wellbeing when massaged, and can align our entire body, from head to toe.

 

It makes sense that taking good care of the body parts that make up the lower limbs is crucial. Therefore, it pays to understand the best ways to do so, and who to look to when you need some extra support. That is when podiatrists come in.

Podiatrists are here to help you improve and maintain the health of the lower extremities – particularly the feet and ankles. At Capital Podiatry, we can assist with a wide range of issues by using a variety of techniques, methods, and resources.

What Is A Podiatrist?

It may surprise you that there can be one health profession entirely dedicated to your feet (predominantly). However, our feet are so multifaceted and utilised that there really is a significant amount of ways we can assist and there is a range of areas that we can focus on, such as sports or paediatric podiatry.

Podiatrists have trained to a high standard through university education and are nationally registered by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) via the Podiatry Board of Australia. Subsequently, we are brilliant sources of knowledge and skill when it comes to looking after the lower limb region. We can also collaboratively treat issues you may be consulting other health professionals about, such as your GP, physiotherapist, or surgeon.

What Conditions And Issues Can Podiatrists Treat?

Podiatry is generally categorised as either biomechanical or general foot care. Biomechanics refers to how your lower limbs move and correlate, including the bones, joints, and muscles.

Biomechanical podiatry can include:

• Assessing the functionality of the lower leg region when undergoing movements such as walking or crouching.
• Connecting the functionality with its relationship to other body areas and how this can be impacting one or the other.
• Identifying foot issues that may contribute to or be influenced by other concerns.
• Reducing pain and swelling and improving overall functionality and mobility.
• Preventing further injury to a problematic area.
• Providing guidance on how to be active while protecting your feet at the same time.

Biomechanical conditions podiatrists can treat may include:

• Bunions.
• Joint pain.
• Shin splints.
• Hammer or claw toes.
• Heel pain.
• Knee pain.
• Plantar fasciitis.
• Out or in-toeing.
• Hip and lower back pain.
• Sports injuries.
• Poor posture.

General foot care podiatry can include:

• Relieving pain and decreasing inflammation.
• Improving deformities and skin issues.
• Maintaining toenail health.
• Preventing problematic conditions and injuries.

General foot care podiatrists can treat issues such as:

• Ingrown toenails.
• Hard to reach toenails.
• Fungal nails.
• Warts.
• Corns
• Calluses and blisters.
• Cracked heels.
• Dry skin.

How Can Podiatrists Help?

As podiatrists Canberra at Capital Podiatry, we can take many approaches to assist you. We use high quality resources and equipment, utilise the latest in podiatry technology, and constantly improve ourselves through professional development.

Some methods and techniques we may employ include:

• Manual manipulation, such as massage and joint mobilisation.
• Taping and strapping.
• Dry needling.
• Shockwave therapy.
• Gait analysis.
• Postural assessment.
• Carrying out personalised modifications and additions to footwear, such as using padding and orthotics.
• Guidance on footwear choices.
• Provide strengthening exercises.
• Nail care and surgery.
• Wart removal treatment.

If you have any concerns to do with your feet and lower limbs, whether that be a pain, inflammation, discoloured or thickened nails, a skin issue, or medical conditions that can impact the feet, contact us so that our podiatrists can help you find relief and improved functionality.

Our Podiatrists Are Here To Help You

Capital Podiatry’s clinic has been providing high-quality, friendly, and experienced care to the community for over fifteen years. We are committed to assisting our patients so that you can improve and maintain the health of their lower limbs.

Contact our caring and skilled team to find out how we can help you with all your podiatry needs. We look forward to seeing you!

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