Our feet are complex things they have a flexible structure of bones, joints, muscles and soft tissues all packed into a confined shape. They have to adjust to allow all the complex movements that we take for granted such as running, crouching, jumping, walking, dancing and standing on tip-toe.
Our feet carry us through life. They are so important for our over all health. In an average life time they may carry you approximately 100,000 miles- that’s two laps of the equator! We often take them for granted and just expect them to cope with all the abuse we throw at them- forcing them into fashionable shoes, play sports that cause strains and sprains and wear favoured footwear far too long.
I value all of my customers and as some have medical conditions that make them vulnerable. Face masks are still an option please let me know if you have health concerns and would particularly like me to wear a mask while treating you. Please reschedule if you are unwell to protect us all.
What is a Foot Health Practitioner?
A Foot Health Practitioner's role is to help people with their foot problems. I have been trained to recognise foot conditions and to either treat them, or to recognise when I need to refer on to a Podiatrist for more specialist foot care, or to a GP when appropriate.
Podiatrist's can prescribe medication and are training to do more specialist assessments, use biomechanics to correct the way you walk or run. They can perform surgery to remove nails and use invasive treatments to try to stop verrucas.
I am able to perform routine care, cutting and filing nails correctly to keep feet comfortable and healthy, preventing ingrowing nails. I can remove callus' and corns and treat thickened nails, or painful cracked heels. Treat diabetic feet and advise on good foot hygiene.
I have 26+ years experience as a qualified nurse so have a good understanding of infection control. All of my instruments are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath and then vacuum autoclaved at 135c for at least 3 minutes as recommended. Instruments are sealed in packs during this process so that they remain sterile until used on a client. I have sufficient instruments to ensure single use for each client.
This is an important thing to be aware of when having treatment in your home, or for a resident in a care home. If anyone you ask to treat your feet does NOT open a sealed pack of instruments to treat your feet- don't let them touch your nails- fungal infections are very easy to spread from client to client if this is not done.
Care
Looking after our feet while they are healthy is so much easier than trying to help them to recover after developing a problem. Early symptoms of diabetes, arthritis, nerve and circulatory problems often initially show themselves in the feet, they are one of the most indicative signs of our overall health.
Self care
If you find it difficult to get down to your feet then it may be time to see a foot care professional. Click here RFHP to search on the register to find a registered Foot Health Practitioner.
