“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work
of art” – Leonardo Da Vinci
We each take between 5,000 and 18,000 steps per day and that
is a lot of work for our often neglected feet. If there is a misalignment in
our foot structure the constant repetition of walking can cause injuries and
continued movement can aggravate these injuries.
This is where a podiatrist comes in. Podiatrists assess,
analyse and treat foot and lower limb injuries, both those of a sporting and
general nature. When dealing with a sports patient prevention becomes a focal
point and it is essential that the podiatrist has an understanding of all
potential risk factors, these include the demands of the sports, the demands of
the training schedule and the level of competition and aspirations of the
individual. With a general patient there
is focus upon the types of socks and shoes worn, muscle mass and lifestyle.
A podiatrist will often use orthoses which are primarily
insoles that affect the foot and its intersection with the ground during
walking or running. This can help with back, hip and knee pain, shin splints,
achilles pain, tendonitis and heel pain. The podiatrist’s aim is to alleviate
discomfort at an injury site and to prevent an injury occurring.
If your feet hurt, if they are getting an undue amount of
hard skin, if their colour changes, if they are deforming or changing shape a
podiatry check should be considered. Even masterpieces need a little
maintenance now and again!
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