Podiatry & Chiropody
The human foot is a complicated structure composed of 26 bones, 16 joints, numerous ligaments and muscles.
On average, each one of us will take between 8,000 and 10,000 steps per day, hardly surprising therefore that much of the population will at some point experience a problem with their feet.
Andrew Booth , MChS, DPodM, HPC Registered, offers appointments for private based Chiropody/ Podiatry Service including the treatment of :
Nail Condtions. A wide range of nail conditions can be successfully and painlessly treated, often thickened nails are difficult for patients to treat themselves, fungal infections of the nails are extremely common and a wide range of preparations are available to help remove infection. One of the most problematic nail conditions we treat are those that seem to curl into the toe, (involuted nails) such nail conditions can be as a result of inheritance, inappropriate footwear, cutting the nails too short, whatever the cause the outcome is often the same, pain!!. Conservative regular treatment can be very successful, however on occasion the appropriate treatment option is to perform nail surgery during which the offending section of nail is removed and chemically treated to avoid nail re -growth.
Hard Skin/ Callus. Initially hard skin/callus forms in response to pressure, however when pressure becomes excessive , there is an increase in skin production and thus thickening of the skin on the foot known as callus or hard skin develops.
Corns . Are small localised areas of compressed thickened skin they are usually round in shape and can cause considerable pain and discomfort particularly when walking
Verrucae. Are warts that are found on the foot. Verruc ae may contain small black dots , they can appear as single or multiple infections and are often can confused with corns,( verrucae tend to be painful to pinch, corns are painful when direct pressure is applied and tend to occur on weight bearing areas of the foot)
Foot Function. Abnormal foot function is often the underlying cause for a whole host of potential lower limb problems. Ranging from callus and corns, in-growing nails, Metatarsalgia, Morton’s Neuroma, commonly occurring heel problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles Tendonopathy, and conditions affecting the lower leg e.g shin splints, knee , hip and lower back pain may well be associated with a particular foot type. A Biomechanical assessment of foot and lower limb function can be useful in helping to identify the causes of conditions mentioned above, orthotics or insoles if required, can help to alleviate painful foot and lower limb conditions, particularly when used in conjunction with supporting therapies carried out by Back and Body Care practitioners.
I also now run a weekly clinic specialising in the use of low level laser therapy.
Low level laser therapy helps to increase the speed of repair in acute injuries and also stimulates the body’s repair processes in cases of non-healing or chronic conditions. As a result LLLT can be used to help provide pain relief for a wide range of conditions for example:
Plantar Fasciitis, (heel pain), Achilles Tendonopathy, shin splints
Athletic and sports injury’s (used by Olympic athletes, and professional sporting clubs)
Ligamentous and muscular pain ( sprain’s acute and chronic)
Osteoarthritis,
Rheumatoid Arthritis
and numerous other conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs.
In addition to efficacy LLLT has the added advantage of being drug-free, pain-free, non-invasive, easily and quickly applied and has an excellent side effect profile. It is often less expensive than alternative treatments and has few contraindications.
Low level laser therapy is not harmful. Lasers used for tissue stimulation have insufficient strength to damage cells. Low Level Laser or Soft Lasers often use visible light – wavelengths in the region of 600 nm to 830 nm, around in the Red and Near Infrared Spectrum, which is totally safe and harmless to our organ tissues, cells or skin.
Testimonials:
” Feeling very fed up with this Plantar Fasciitis, having tried many different avenues and none helping to releif the pain. I was walking/ hobbling down the street in Newport to see a notice that said ‘Now treating Plantar Fasciitis with low level laser’, so i went straight in and booked an appointment. I booked a course of treatment and i could feel an improvement after each week. I am now walking around quite normal and feeling much better in myself, a very clever treatment ”
Sharon
” I would like to say how pleased I am with the results of the laser treatment on my foot. It is the first time anything has worked, and no side effects. My foot feels “quite normal” for the first time in years, and am pain free for longer between treatments ”
Mrs P Reid, Newport
“ After years of suffering with severe arthritis in both knees, following 5 weeks of treatment I am now sleeping through the night without pain, and have not taken painkillers for 3 weeks now, even my family have noticed that my walking has improved ”
Mrs L, Lilleshall