In the UK a podiatrist is simply the new name for a chiropodist. The name was changed to Podiatry instead of Chiropody in 1993 as it's an internationally recognised name for a foot specialist.

It's not just the name that has changed though. Podiatry is a constantly evolving profession and requires a lot of continued professional development to keep updated with new technology and treatments.

Students undertake extensive training at university for three to four years before qualifying as a podiatrist. Podiatry students will study their courses full-time, which includes over 1000 clinical hours, continue to educate themselves after graduation to remain up-to-date with current treatment techniques and also be able to treat a vast array of foot and lower limb problems.

A podiatrist can remove corns, hard skin and verrucae. Other specialities exist within the profession, including the capability to administer a local anaesthetic for ingrown toenails. Podiatrists can also carry out detailed biomechanical assessments to tackle foot and lower limb pain.

You should always check your podiatrist is HCPC (Health and Care Professional Council) registered. The HCPC is the statutory regulator of 15 professions. The HCPC’s function is to set and maintain standards for those professions with the objective of protecting the public.

Yes. If you have issues with your teeth, you visit a dentist. If you have issues with your eyes, you visit an optician. If you have issues with your back, you visit a chiropractor or physiotherapist.

So, if you are having issues with your lower limb or feet - you should visit a Podiatrist!

Remember, even if you are not experiencing a problem with your feet or lower limbs, you can still see a podiatrist. I see many patients who attend regularly for routine foot care and maintenance, so they can walk, run, and get on with their day-to-day activities much more comfortably. This will also allow early detection of issues with your feet sooner rather than later.