Podiatry: Who It Helps

Podiatry is the field of comprehensive foot care provided by a medical doctor. If you have a disorder of the foot, ankle, or a general lower extremity, a podiatrist, also known as a foot doctor, can study, diagnose, and treat your condition. Many people do not realize that the health of the feet can affect the health of the entire body. While we often use and abuse our feet without a second thought, it is vital that we learn to treat our lower extremities with the care and respect they deserve.

On average, Americans take approximately 5,900 steps in one day, and now experts are urging people to make their goal 10,000 steps a day. Increasing your daily step count can improve blood pressure, glucose levels, and help you maintain a healthy weight, but if you do not have optimal foot health, it can be hard to reach this type of goal.

Many misalignments of the body start with the feet. If you have imbalances or injuries that affect your feet, you may notice strains and aches all over your body. This discomfort can extend to poor hip health, weakened knees, and stiff ankles that will gradually slow you down, causing a domino effect that reduces the health of your entire body.

Who Podiatry Helps

• Those with injured or achy feet and legs.
• People who are experiencing persistent stiffness or discomfort in the feet, legs, hips, or back.
• Those who struggle with weight loss and proper fitness levels.
• Patients with arthritis or fibromyalgia.
• Those with diabetes or poor circulation.
• People with plantar fasciitis, irritated or pinched nerves, fungal infections, heel spurs, hammertoes, fallen arches, flat feet, high arches, or even bunions.
• Those with corns, calluses, or warts on their feet.
• Patients with sports injuries who cannot compete.
• Those who wear shin splints while running.
• People who seek advice on the best athletic shoes for their feet.
• Those who want advice on physical rehabilitation for foot, ankle, or leg injuries.

Podiatry: The Statistics

If you have diabetes, with a quality podiatrist, you can reduce the risk of having an amputation by more than 50 percent.

Other physicians are four times more likely to use expensive inpatient services than podiatrists.

Walking is the healthiest type of exercise for your feet, and it can contribute to your overall health. Walking improves circulation and helps you lose weight. Podiatry can help you walk more frequently.

Women typically have four times as many foot problems as men do — usually caused by wearing heels.

One-fourth of the bones in your entire body are in your feet, yet few people visit a podiatrist who can focus on their foot health.

Medical conditions like arthritis, circulatory problems, and diabetes typically show initial symptoms in the feet. Podiatry care can help you discover these problems before they worsen, giving you better health in the long run.

To learn more about podiatry and how it can help you, visit our office. Even if you do not have any apparent foot conditions, it is never a bad idea to have a yearly foot checkup. Schedule your podiatry appointment at the same time you schedule your regular dental checkups, gynecologist exams, and dermatologist appointments.