Understanding Podiatry: What it is & how it works

Most people only think about their feet when something goes wrong. But foot problems don't stay isolated, and when you change how you walk to avoid pain, your body adapts, and that adaptation can cause problems elsewhere.

What is a Podiatrist?

Podiatrists are HCPC-registered healthcare professionals with 3-4 year BSc degrees specializing in foot and ankle disorders. The term replaced "chiropodist" to align with international terminology, but the qualifications are identical.

Why Foot problems can affect your whole Body

When you have a painful foot condition, you unconsciously adjust how you walk or hold your foot to offload pressure from the painful area. Your body compensates for this altered movement pattern, which can create pain in other areas. This is why foot problems often appear alongside hip, knee, or back pain.

How Podiatry integrates with Osteopathy

Because foot mechanics affect whole-body alignment, podiatrists and osteopaths work effectively together. While osteopathic treatment addresses compensatory patterns and helps realign the body naturally through manual techniques and exercise plans, podiatry addresses the root foot problem. Custom orthotics may be prescribed to maintain correct posture and foot structure after treatment.

Podiatrists vs Foot Health Practitioners: What's the Difference?

Foot Health Practitioners (FHPs) are unregulated professionals providing basic foot care within a limited scope of practice. For any diagnosis, treatment of pathology, or prescription interventions, you need an HCPC-registered podiatrist. FHPs play a role in basic foot health promotion and typically refer to podiatrists when specialized treatment is necessary.

When should you see a Podiatrist?

Beyond routine foot health maintenance, consult a podiatrist if you have persistent foot pain, difficulty walking, diabetic foot concerns, recurring infections, or any foot condition that hasn't resolved within a reasonable timeframe.

What happens at a Podiatry Appointment?

Your podiatrist will assess your foot structure, function, and any presenting problems. Treatment is tailored to your individual needs and may involve hands-on treatment, prescription of medication or orthotics, minor surgery, or biomechanical assessment. Where appropriate, integrated care with osteopathy may be recommended.

Getting started with Podiatry

If you're experiencing any foot or ankle problems, or you're simply curious whether podiatry might be appropriate for your situation, we're happy to discuss your individual needs.

Based at Yew Tree Clinic in Westbury-on-Trym, we work with people across Bristol and the surrounding areas. All our podiatrists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and work within evidence-based frameworks to provide safe, effective care.

Where appropriate, we can coordinate your podiatry treatment with our osteopaths to address both local foot problems and wider compensatory patterns affecting your body.

To book a consultation or ask any questions, call us on 0117 914 6645.