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Welcome to Feet First Chiropody Services
We provide a ‘clinic’ based podiatry and chiropody service in the Cramlington area in the North east of England.
We also provide a ‘home visit service’ throughout Cramlington and surrounding areas of the North east of England.
We at Feet First deal with 'all' members of the family from children throughout the family to the elderly.
Feet First Chiropody services website provides information regarding common disorders of the foot, how we manage these conditions and additional podiatry and chiropody services that we offer.
Welcome to Feet First Chiropody Services
We provide a ‘clinic’ based podiatry and chiropody service in the Cramlington area in the North east of England.
We also provide a ‘home visit service’ throughout Cramlington and surrounding areas of the North east of England.
We at Feet First deal with 'all' members of the family from children throughout the family to the elderly.
Feet First Chiropody services website provides information regarding common disorders of the foot, how we manage these conditions and additional podiatry and chiropody services that we offer.
What is podiatry?
Podiatry, which is a modern word for chiropody, is performed by podiatrists.
The Feet First Chiropody Services assess, diagnose and treat conditions relating to the foot and the lower limb.
Many conditions treated by podiatrists are on the surface of the foot, such as corns, callus and ingrown toe – nails.
Some conditions treated by Feet first Chiropody Services are not visible on the surface of the foot, but involve the structures inside the foot, for example metatarsalgia.
Alongside routine care of the feet which involves removal of corns and callus, Feet First Chiropody Services provide specialist care and advice for people with diabetes and arthritis Minor surgery can also be performed to remove problem toenails.
Abnormalities in how we walk can also be assessed and treated by the podiatrists at Feet First Chiropody Services, Orthritis (shoe inserts) can be prescribed to improve foot function and reduce pain caused by poor foot posture (such as ‘fallen arches’ or flat foot).
Podiatrist
Many of those previously using the titles Chiropodist or Podiatrist who have not gained HPC registration, either through choice or because they were not eligible, have now adopted the title 'Foot Health Practitioner' to replace Chiropodist/Podiatrist which they can no longer use.
This title is not protected in law which effectively means anyone can use it regardless of training levels. Courses are now available that offer a total of only 11 days practical tuition, after which students will call themselves "Fully trained and qualified Foot Health Practitioners" and will advertise the same medical treatments as those offered by Podiatrists. Clearly a Foot Health Practitioner course is not to be confused with the 3 years of full time training needed to become a Podiatrist.
Podiatry, which is a modern word for chiropody, is performed by podiatrists.
The Feet First Chiropody Services assess, diagnose and treat conditions relating to the foot and the lower limb.
Many conditions treated by podiatrists are on the surface of the foot, such as corns, callus and ingrown toe – nails.
Some conditions treated by Feet first Chiropody Services are not visible on the surface of the foot, but involve the structures inside the foot, for example metatarsalgia.
Alongside routine care of the feet which involves removal of corns and callus, Feet First Chiropody Services provide specialist care and advice for people with diabetes and arthritis Minor surgery can also be performed to remove problem toenails.
Abnormalities in how we walk can also be assessed and treated by the podiatrists at Feet First Chiropody Services, Orthritis (shoe inserts) can be prescribed to improve foot function and reduce pain caused by poor foot posture (such as ‘fallen arches’ or flat foot).
Podiatrist
Many of those previously using the titles Chiropodist or Podiatrist who have not gained HPC registration, either through choice or because they were not eligible, have now adopted the title 'Foot Health Practitioner' to replace Chiropodist/Podiatrist which they can no longer use.
This title is not protected in law which effectively means anyone can use it regardless of training levels. Courses are now available that offer a total of only 11 days practical tuition, after which students will call themselves "Fully trained and qualified Foot Health Practitioners" and will advertise the same medical treatments as those offered by Podiatrists. Clearly a Foot Health Practitioner course is not to be confused with the 3 years of full time training needed to become a Podiatrist.
Does it matter who I see?
This could depend on the severity of the problem you have. If your general health is less than perfect it might be that your feet are at a higher risk of problems than you realise, in this case you would be well advised to seek a consultation with the most highly trained podiatrist possible.
If your feet are affected by a general condition such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, blood circulation problems, conditions that have altered the way you walk such as strokes or MS or if you are on high risk medication such as Warfarin you should certainly demand a good level of general medical knowledge from a highly trained podiatrist, you should feel confident that the Podiatrist you see understands the problem you have and can offer you effective treatments. If you don't feel sure about the Podiatrist you see, try another.
HPC registration
HPC registration, means registration with the Health Professions Council. This is the regulatory board for chiropody/podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and others in the Allied Health Professions. On July the 9th 2003 the HPC replaced the old Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM). The CPSM set the standards for State Registration and NHS employment which for Podiatrists/Chiropodists was a minimum of 3 years full time training at an approved institution leading to a degree or diploma in podiatric medicine.
Registration with the new HPC ensures the practitioner meets the standards of education, professional skills and behaviour.
This could depend on the severity of the problem you have. If your general health is less than perfect it might be that your feet are at a higher risk of problems than you realise, in this case you would be well advised to seek a consultation with the most highly trained podiatrist possible.
If your feet are affected by a general condition such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, blood circulation problems, conditions that have altered the way you walk such as strokes or MS or if you are on high risk medication such as Warfarin you should certainly demand a good level of general medical knowledge from a highly trained podiatrist, you should feel confident that the Podiatrist you see understands the problem you have and can offer you effective treatments. If you don't feel sure about the Podiatrist you see, try another.
HPC registration
HPC registration, means registration with the Health Professions Council. This is the regulatory board for chiropody/podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and others in the Allied Health Professions. On July the 9th 2003 the HPC replaced the old Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM). The CPSM set the standards for State Registration and NHS employment which for Podiatrists/Chiropodists was a minimum of 3 years full time training at an approved institution leading to a degree or diploma in podiatric medicine.
Registration with the new HPC ensures the practitioner meets the standards of education, professional skills and behaviour.
