Why did you become a podiatrist?
As a previous geologist working all around the world, I needed a career that was going to keep me at home with my family. I initially thought about physiotherapy but decided to specialise in the lower limb. Podiatry is a specialism that has so many facets and pathways to look into. My area of expertise is the biomechanical function of the foot, sports injuries and pain management.
How much training is involved and what qualifications do you need?
To be able to call yourself a podiatrist or chiropodist in its older form, you have to undertake training to degree level. I undertook my three years at the University of Plymouth. As part of our being able to practice, we are members of the Health and Care Professions Council. This is our regulatory body that covers podiatrists as well as physiotherapists and occupational health therapists. As part of continued regulation we are audited and our skills are monitored. This is why with anything related to healthcare, always seek an HCPC registered podiatrist to deal with your feet. No other practitioner that deals with the feet are regulated or scrutinised. This is for the patients’ benefit.
Where do you work?
I have clinic in the village of Lewdown between Okehampton and Launceston. I am central to the main towns and easy to get to along the old A30. The clinic has parking outside the door and views of North Devon and into Cornwall.
What sort of conditions do you treat?
Anything related to the lower limb. This includes general footcare for those aren’t able to do it for themselves, up to ingrowing toenail surgery. As a podiatrist I chose to also specialise in musculoskeletal conditions of the feet and biomechanical function, where if needed I will make and supply orthotics to help relieve painful symptoms. I am also a registered shockwave therapy clinic, where I can help to manage pain through injuries such as plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinopathy, shin splints and patella tip knee pain. The therapy, which uses high pressure sound waves to stimulate blood flow and cell regeneration, is also showing good results in osteoarthritis pain of the foot.
Can you describe a typical day?
I am lucky enough to work from home so there’s not much of a commute. I see a number of regular patients for general podiatry then deal with new patients on an appointment basis.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Dealing with people’s expectations. The feet are an area of our bodies that take the biggest workload of all. People don’t realise until it’s too late just how important their feet are to them.
What is the best part of your job?
Seeing a patient walk in with a painful mobility issue then walk out afterwards pain free is a pretty good feeling all the time.
What would you say to anyone thinking of going into podiatry as a career?
Don’t take shortcuts. If you want to deal with the feet properly, go to university. Put the work in and you will be rewarded with a great challenging career. There are many unregulated, shortcut courses into treating the feet. Gain the respect and do the full training offered at many universities.