A chiropodist is a medical professional who assesses and treats conditions of the foot. Physicians will often refer patients to chiropodists, but they are not essential for scheduling a consultation.
Chiropodist Training
Over half of the population are affected by foot problems, with many requiring assessment, treatment, and prevention through a chiropodist’s expert knowledge and practical skills. In most cases, your chiropodist will have undergone 7 or 8 years of post-secondary training before being able to practice.
In the United States, a future chiropodist begins their study by getting accepted into a school of podiatric medicine. Each school maintains its own acceptance standards. Generally, they will require a bachelor’s degree, with significant coursework in the biological sciences and chemistry.
New chiropodist students will complete a curriculum similar to what is offered by standard medical schools. They will learn about bodily systems, as well as complete training in various areas of medicine.
The program will then begin specializing in the care and treatment of feet. Once a student completes their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), they will then enter a three-year residency program.
What Sort of Work Do Chiropodists Do?
A Chiropodist can help treat several different feet conditions, including:
- Orthopedic appliances
- Biomechanical dysfunctions
- Nail conditions
- Warts / Callus / Corns
- Bony foot deformities such as bunions
The treatments of these conditions could include:
Prescriptions for pharmaceutical drugs
Surgical procedures
Physical therapy
Choosing a Chiropodist
Your first step in finding a chiropodist is to determine if they are licensed to practice and that their accreditation is in place. You can also rely on recommendations from your physician, family, friends, and other medical professionals.
At Northwest Surgery Center, patients receive quality care from professional, friendly, and caring staff. The surgeries were first started by Dr. Robert A. Nielsen, who has been a pioneer in developing minimally invasive surgery techniques to treat various foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, and heel spurs.
By using the latest techniques with advanced equipment, it’s highly probable your bunion problem could be dealt with in an afternoon. Book yourself in for a free consultation today and find out how you can receive fast and painless bunion treatment.
