Podiatrists are the specialists in the foot and ankl. They are trained in biomechanics, gait analysis, podiatric orthopaedics, pharmacology, and general medical practice.

Change can be challenging for clinicians. Changing professional practice can challenge beliefs, values and attitudes that define the current practice. Lewin suggests there are three stages in the process of change.

Orthotics

Podiatrists can help reduce foot pain by prescribing orthotics. These shoe inserts help redistribute pressure on the feet, and are designed to fit inside your shoes. They can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ or custom made from a plaster cast or digital picture of your foot. Orthotics are often recommended for people with chronic foot problems, such as calluses or bunions. They can also be beneficial for athletes who need to maximise performance.

Podiatry centre near Prospect can help reduce foot pain by prescribing orthotics. These shoe inserts help redistribute pressure on the feet, and are designed to fit inside your shoes. They can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ or custom made from a plaster cast or digital picture of your foot. Orthotics are often recommended for people with chronic foot problems, such as calluses or bunions. They can also be beneficial for athletes who need to maximize performance.

Some patients may be referred to podiatry by their general practitioner for management of foot problems and injuries. Medicare can cover podiatrist services to Unley for these patients if they have a chronic disease management (CDM) plan.

The word podiatry was adopted to avoid confusion with chiropodists and chiropractors in the US, and is composed of the Greek roots “pod” meaning feet and “iatros” meaning physician. It is a more accurate and up-to-date term for the profession that has come to be recognized as an integral part of medical care. Podiatrists are medically trained to diagnose and treat problems with the feet, ankles and lower leg, and use advanced technology to assess how your feet work while you move. They listen carefully to your complaints, and take the time to fully evaluate your foot health. They also perform routine nail care, remove calluses and corns, and provide treatment for common conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and sports injuries.

Biomechanics

Podiatrists study the structure of the feet and lower legs as well as their function. This includes the way in which muscles, bones and joints work together to absorb and propel impact during movement. This knowledge is used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of podiatric conditions.

The large external forces that our feet and lower extremities endure during daily weight-bearing activities are likely to be the root cause of most of the clinical pathologies podiatrists encounter. This makes biomechanics a natural topic to explore. Doug Richie notes that although podiatric journals have monthly articles on joint moments, gait analysis, muscle function and pathomechanics of injury, podiatric biomechanics is no longer taught extensively in podiatric medical schools.

To do so will require a paradigm shift in thinking. Changing the way we view our patient’s roles and how we deliver care requires us to unfreeze our beliefs, values, attitudes and assumptions. This is the first step to creating a culture of change. Then, podiatry can take advantage of the numerous tools and technologies available to improve foot health and wellbeing for everyone. We can use telemedicine, for example, to help patients with their aches and pains without the need to travel to a podiatrist.

Surgery

Podiatric surgery is a specialist sub-specialty that requires extensive post graduate medical and surgical training. It is an approved specialty recognised by Australian state and federal governments and included in the health insurance rebate system. Podiatric surgeons are qualified to surgically manage foot and ankle pathology. They have an excellent level of ‘differential diagnosis’ and use medical imaging strategically to augment their clinical findings. Podiatric surgery can be used to treat a number of conditions including foot biomechanics, deformities, infections, trauma, overuse, sports injuries and nerve injury (neuropathic pain).

During the 1960’s and 1970’s the podiatry profession developed a significant public health presence through podiatric community based projects such as the Queensbridge Health Maintenance Project in New York City. This was an innovative community health initiative in a housing authority development that provided podiatric care to an older population living at poverty levels.

The current landscape of healthcare delivery and podiatry’s position within it is changing. There is a need to improve the ability of podiatrists to adapt to change at the practice, professional and organisational levels. This can be achieved by encouraging an open learning culture where successful attempts at change are shared. It is also important to develop a more effective approach to the implementation of change that will allow podiatrists to embrace it and thrive in future healthcare delivery.

Nutrition

Podiatrists are increasingly being commissioned to help address societal issues such as poor diet and obesity. This reflects the current trend within healthcare towards helping people to live more healthily and therefore avoid or reduce the need for surgery or medication. This means that podiatry has to develop a holistic approach and ensure that patients are getting the right nutrients for good health.

Evidence from the public health field shows that people who are informed, involved, able and confident in self-managing their conditions have better outcomes than those who do not [17,18]. Podiatric medicine can play an important role in patient engagement and facilitating shared responsibility, but this requires a change in professional attitude and practice.

Research has shown that podiatrists cite professional attitude, lack of time, skills and funding as significant barriers to changing their routine clinical practices. Additionally, many practitioners feel that the literature can be too obscure and irrelevant to everyday practice. This can result in podiatrists not searching or reading the literature that could inform their practice.

During the 1960’s, a number of projects in relation to foot health and community health were initiated by podiatric physicians. These included the Philadelphia Department of Health Project Keep Them Walking, the Washington DC Health Department Community Clinical Podiatry Program and the Minnesota Department of Health Nursing Home Study. In January of 1972 the Council on Public Health of APMA recommended that podiatric health be included as a separate section of APHA. This was endorsed by the Board of Trustees at its mid-winter meeting.

Many health conditions can benefit from rehabilitation. This can reduce the impact of these conditions on a person’s daily life.

For example, pulmonary rehabilitation plans help to clear excess sputum from the lungs, reducing the likelihood of infections and improving breathing ability.

Physiotherapists work with doctors and other health professionals to provide care. They also work with patients and their families and caregivers to improve quality of life and movement abilities.

Strengthening

Physiotherapy is highly effective in alleviating pain caused by injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and chronic issues. Physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises to reduce pain and help patients return to their normal lives. This can reduce the reliance on medications and avoid more invasive treatment options.

Many people in low and middle-income countries are living with health conditions that require rehabilitation, but their needs are not being met. This gap is largely due to inadequate advocacy strategies, limited political support, and weak and under-utilized referral pathways.

Rehabilitation is an important part of primary healthcare (PHC), as it helps individuals manage their health conditions and improve their quality of life. It promotes healthy lifestyles, and helps individuals stay active and independent in their daily activities.

Moreover, physiotherapy can help reduce the risk of disability by addressing specific physical and mental problems like depression, anxiety and loneliness. Physiotherapists can also develop treatment plans that incorporate a variety of interventions, including acupuncture, massage and exercise.

Physiotherapy is an essential service that should be available to everyone who requires it. Regardless of age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, OH! physiotherapy ensures that everyone has a right to access rehabilitation services, especially when they are needed the most. By improving access and quality of rehabilitation, we can ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, live longer, healthier lives, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Stabilization

A primary goal of physiotherapy is to improve function, mobility and stability through manual techniques. This includes stretching exercises and joint mobilization to restore a normal range of motion and flexibility.

The central ‘core’ muscles are an important part of the body’s ability to control movement and stabilize the spine. Physical therapists teach patients to consistently perform core strengthening programs that increase their strength and improve balance and posture.

Many injuries are caused by poor posture and other ergonomic factors. Physiotherapists provide advice, education and guidance on the best ways to improve your posture and work habits.

Physiotherapy also helps you manage your symptoms so that you can live a full and active life. This can include addressing underlying health conditions, improving your daily activities, educating you to self-manage your condition, providing assistive products and ensuring you have the support you need.

Rehabilitation, is an essential health service for anyone with a chronic illness or injury. It reduces the need for hospitalization, shortens stays in hospitals and minimizes re-admissions. It enables people to be as independent as possible in their everyday lives and to participate in activities, work and community roles. It also improves their quality of life and reduces social isolation and depression. It is an essential element of universal health care and should be available to everyone

Prevention

When physiotherapists aren’t helping people recover from injuries, they’re working to prevent them from happening in the first place. They’re movement experts who can identify biomechanical imbalances, weak muscles or faulty movement patterns that could lead to injury.

Physiotherapy can also help reduce the impact of health conditions by providing self-management strategies and assistive devices. This is especially important for chronic health conditions, which can have a devastating effect on the quality of life and independence.

For example, a physiotherapist can perform a balance and fall risk assessment and provide customized treatment plans including exercises that can improve strength and mobility and reduce the risk of falling. Falls are common among elderly people and can have serious consequences, but they’re also preventable.

Physiotherapy is also an excellent way to prepare for physical activities like sports or work. By improving strength, mobility and function, individuals can be more confident in their abilities and minimize the risk of injuries. This translates into better performance and a more positive overall experience. Whether you’re an amateur athlete or work in a physically demanding job, preventing injuries is vital to keep you healthy and happy. Physiotherapists are the best choice for injury prevention because they know how to spot potential problems before they occur. Think of your physiotherapist as a body mechanic – get them in before the damage is done!

Education

Physiotherapists and podiatrists at Optimise Health are in the position to educate patients on physical health, movement patterns, and lifestyle factors. This can help patients improve and maximise their quality of life and movement potential. In this way, they provide patients with a holistic approach to healthcare and rehabilitation.

Education in physiotherapy also involves teaching people how to prevent injuries and maintain their physical health. This can be done through a combination of clinical examinations, patient histories, and specialized tests that measure strength, movement patterns, balance, and overall functional ability. Physiotherapists can teach patients proper body mechanics, posture, and exercise techniques that will reduce the risk of injury.

In some cases, physiotherapists work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure that a patient receives the best care possible. They may be employed in a clinic, hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility, or even at the patient’s home.

Physiotherapy training is governed by legal and regulatory frameworks that vary from country to country. These frameworks establish guidelines and standards for the practice of physiotherapy, ensuring patient safety and adherence to professional codes of conduct. However, a number of studies have shown that undergraduate physiotherapy programmes lack sufficient mental health content. This needs to be rectified in order for physiotherapists to be better equipped to manage patients with SMI. A structured service learning programme can enhance a student’s ability to provide effective treatment to individuals with SMI and also encourage a positive attitude towards mental illness.