The role of a chiropodist and podiatrist within the UK is to assess and determine any abnormalities of the lower limb area of a patient, specifically the foot.

Most patients that a chiropodist will deal with include young children, the elderly and those who have diabetes and arthritis.

In order to become a chiropodist you first need to enrol in a chiropody training. Once a course has been completed you can then apply to work in a GP surgery, hospital, clinic, health centre or even in schools and nursing homes around the UK.

Those who enrol in a course will find that it takes three years to complete the course, this will then result in a degree being obtained by the HPC, which is the Health Professionals Council. This degree is essential should you want to work within the NHS.

Chiropody is the treatment of patients who suffer from lower limb problems such as verrucas, corns, fallen arches, bone deformities and other musculoskeletal problems. A chiropodist or podiatrist (same meaning) has to undergo a lengthy process to become qualified. It takes excellent college grades, medical school, at least two years of residency and then obtaining a license, if the person wishes to run their own practice or find other chiropody jobs.

A common reason patients are referred to a chiropodist is heel pain. The correct term is plantar fasciitis which is known more commonly as a heel spur. The plantar fascia is the tissue which runs along the base of the foot from toes to heels and is a fibrous band of tissue. Sufferers feel extreme pain from untreated plantar fasciitis as Calcium can be deposited which feels similar to standing on a thorn.

Many people dream of becoming a doctor and understand the route into medicine is a long one which requires years of dedication and hard work. After going through the motions of college, medical school and internships, you the have the life changing decision of what area to specialize in. Over the past twenty years, podiatry has become more popular and in more demand due to a higher amount of diabetes sufferers and sports professionals injuries. A podiatrist and chiropodist are the same profession, just different names.

Our feet are one of the most important parts of our bodies, they keep us standing up, help us walk and run. They have to be able to hold our full body weight and are subjected to heavy pounding from everyday walking or running. Human feet are very complicated structures. They are filled with ligaments, muscles, nerves and 26 bones. It is a complex profession being a chiropodist especially as they also treat ankle problems which are even more complicated.