A Podiatrist is medically trained and has studied at university, obtaining a Podiatry Degree. This means they can diagnose conditions, perform surgeries and prescribe medication. A Chiropodist is the same as a Podiatrist; however, this qualification is no longer available. The qualification is still currently used and recognised within the industry.
A Foot Health Practitioner is not medically trained, but will have gained a diploma in basic foot health, meaning they can treat a variety of nail conditions, corns, callus and minor infections like fungal nail, athlete’s foot and verrucae. For anything above their remit they will refer on to a Podiatrist or a GP.
Whatever level of training, a practitioner is required to maintain their level of knowledge and skills by attending yearly professional development training courses.
This will comprise of some very simple practical tests to assess the condition of your feet and any possible underlying health conditions. I will be looking at the condition of your skin and nails, palpating the pulses in your feet to ensure all is well with your circulation, along with performing a monofilament test. This simple test allows me to check for any possible nerve / sensory issues in the feet that may indicate any potential underlying health concerns. I will also check the capillary refill time on your skin and the temperature of your feet.
There will also be a client medical health questionnaire with details of your medication to complete and a consent form to sign.
A general foot health appointment is up to 1 hour, with an additional 15 minutes for an initial appointment. Regular follow up maintenance appointments tend to be quicker, but I always recommend allowing up to 1 hour for follow up appointments.
I will need to take details of your medical history and any medication you’re currently taking. There is also a consent form to sign and the foot health assessment. Following this, I will attend to areas you would like me to prioritise, as well as anything else if there is space to do so. Sometimes there can be quite a lot to attend to at a first visit and it may not always be possible to complete in one session, so a follow up session can be booked in. Regular maintenance appointments tend to be quicker, but I always recommend allowing up to 1 hour for follow up appointments.
You can pay by cash or card on the day of your appointment. You can also pay via bank transfer prior to your appointment.
This depends on your requirements and what your feet are calling for. Most clients book in 8 to10 weekly intervals to keep their foot care maintained. Some require more regular visits depending on various conditions and treatments, such as verruca or fungal nail treatment programs. It may be that you are coming for a specific one-off appointment and this is fine. You can be led by feet as to what’s best for you 🙂
I will have all the equipment I need with me when I arrive; you will simply need a suitable chair / armchair for you to sit in comfortably.
This will be led by you and what your priorities may be. Generally speaking, I will cut and clear nails of any debris and file down callus areas. Treatments for verruca, fungal nails and corns are prioritised when requested.
Please go to my Services page where you will see these all listed with pricing.
If you can, please give me 48 hours’ notice if you are unable to make it to an appointment. Otherwise, I do request payment for missed appointments on the day.
