What is the Difference Between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist?
Have you ever wondered what is the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist?
In part it has to do with the history of our profession. The term Chiropody or chiropodist used to be much more commonplace especially as seen on the British high streets. However with the rise and popularity of chiropractic in the 1950s and 1960s there was at that time quite a bit of confusion between the two terms and so the overriding bodies began to encourage members to use the term podiatry.
‘Chiropody’ is can be split into two parts – ‘chiro’ means hands, and ‘pod’ means foot in Greek. The roots of ‘podiatry’ come from ‘pod’ and ‘iatros’ with intros meaning physician in Greek. The term podiatry embraces the modern reality of the podiatric profession, where it has become a recognized branch of modern medical care rather than an unofficial specialization and as such The Royal college of podiatry dropped the term chiropody in its title several years ago.
However, both the title chiropodist and podiatrist continues to be used. Both deal with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the lower limb. Qualified to treat patients with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, arthritis, dermatological disorders, nail surgery and the complex and the high risk foot.
Podiatrists have been trained to diagnose as well as treat abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. If you have painful feet, thickened or discoloured toenails, cracks or cuts in the skin, growths such as warts and verrucas, corns and callous, scaling or peeling on the soles, or any other foot-related problem, a podiatrist can also help you.
Are you suffering from this condition? At The Chelsea Clinic, we can help. One of our podiatrist can assist and then recommend what treatments are best to get you back on track. Podiatrist South Kensington
Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at +44 (0) 207 101 4000.
We hope you have a feetastic day!
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
