Wilson Health and Wellness Clinic

What is a chiropodist and what is the practice of chiropody?

A Chiropodist is a primary health care provider, described as a foot specialist, who provides a variety of medical services ranging from nail and skin care to orthotics and in-office surgeries. Chiropodists are key members of your foot health care team representing the largest number of premier foot specialists in Ontario. Chiropodists are recognized and regulated health professionals that play a key role in the health of individuals and the Ontario populations. Chiropodists will assess and provide treatment including management of acute and chronic conditions. They also play a role in the prevention of injury and disability and in promoting foot health and well being. Chiropody is a field of medicine that focuses on preventing, assessing and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle by medical, surgical or palliative means. As foot and ankle disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems today, the skills of chiropodists are increasingly in demand.

What does a Chiropodist do?

Proper foot treatment acts as a foundation for the rest of the body. The ankles, knees, hips and lower back can all be affected if the feet are not functioning properly. Chiropodists play an important role in improving one’s musculoskeletal ailments. People of all ages, independent of health status, can seek chiropody treatment and learn more about general foot care to ensure healthy feet are maintained in the future.

The foot is the catalyst for a complex series of "locomotive” biomechanical events that involve your knees, hips, and back with every step you take. Structural foot problems can result in pain that extends beyond the feet and ankles and into these other areas involved in the gait cycle. A chiropody assessment will also uncover the degree of foot-related knee, hip, or back pain, through a biomechanical examination and gait analysis. This will include a detailed health history including any previous injuries or surgeries. Your chiropodist will look to rule out other issues or identify contributing factors.

Treatment is typically two-pronged. One aspect will be to help address the acute pain through any number of approaches or combination of approaches. The other aspect will treat the underlying structural foot problem through remedies such as footwear advice or custom footwear, footwear modifications and sole lifts, and prescription custom orthotics. Modalities, mobilizations, and stretching exercises can prove helpful where the knee, hip, or back pain results from abnormal gait caused by muscle inflexibility or adhesions.

What are some conditions and procedures that a Chiropodist can help with?

• Ingrown toe nails
• Toe nail deformities
• Nail and Soft Tissue Surgeries under Local Anesthesia
• Toe deformities
• Painful corns and calluses
• Warts
• Painful Bunions and Bunionettes
• Orthotics and Orthopedic Braces (foot and ankles)
• Metatarsalgia
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Calf pains
• Ankle Sprains
• Fungal Nails
• Athletes Feet
• Pains or conditions in any part of the feet or ankles

Where Do I see chiropodist?

Please contact us to schedule a chiropody assessment with one of our chiropodists Mary-Anne Pignatari and Paul Yoon today!

References:

Ontario Chiropodist Association
https://public.ontariochiropodist.com/