Your feet hurt. Maybe it’s that sharp heel pain every morning. Perhaps it’s thick nails that you can no longer cut. Or corns that make every step hurt.
Here’s the truth: Most Australians experience foot problems that impact their daily lives, yet many wait too long to seek help. Taking care of your feet begins with recognising when you need support. Podiatry care isn’t a luxury; it’s essential healthcare. Just as you wouldn’t ignore tooth pain or skip regular eye tests, your feet deserve the same attention. General foot care does more than relieve pain; it helps protect your overall health.
Understanding Professional Foot Care Podiatry
Our podiatrists are trained health professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent foot and lower limb problems. We handle everything from routine maintenance to complex procedures.
Our services cover much more than just common problems, such as corns, callouses, and ingrown toenail treatment. We also examine how your feet function when you walk (gait analysis) or run to help prevent injuries before they occur. For athletes and weekend players, this means fewer injuries and better performance.
Children’s feet need attention, too. Podiatry for children addresses treatment for issues like flat feet or toe-walking. These might seem harmless at first, but can cause problems later on. Regular check-ups during their growth help ensure their feet develop properly.
For people with diabetes or arthritis, podiatry care is essential. It helps prevent serious complications, such as infections or ulcers.
We also create orthotics tailored to your feet, perform minor surgical procedures in the clinic, and treat wounds that won’t heal on their own.
Top Reasons to See a Podiatrist
Why are these reasons to see a podiatrist important? Early treatment prevents small problems from becoming major issues. Let’s look at the most common foot problems we treat.
Fungal and Thickened Nails
Fungal and thickened nail problems often start small. But they can get worse and cause real pain. Fungal infections thrive in the warm, damp environment of your shoes. Shop treatments rarely work because they can’t get deep enough into the nail.
Common signs you need professional nail care include:
- Yellow or brown nails
- Thick nails that are hard to cut
- Nails that crumble at the edges
- Pain when you wear shoes
- Bad smell from the nail
Thick nails can be caused by injury, fungus, or simply ageing. They become painful and hard to manage.
Painful Corns and Callouses
Painful corns and callouses might seem like minor annoyances, but they’re actually your body’s warning system. These areas of thickened skin develop in response to excessive pressure or friction, often indicating underlying biomechanical issues or ill-fitting footwear.
Key differences between corns and calluses:
- Corns – Small, concentrated areas of hard skin with a central core, usually on toes. They tend to be painful when pressed, while calluses are generally painless
- Callouses – Larger, flatter areas of thickened skin, typically on weight-bearing areas
Both can lead to infection if improperly treated.
While many people attempt DIY removal with pumice stones or corn plasters, improper treatment can lead to infection or damage to healthy tissue. We use sterile instruments and precise techniques to remove these lesions safely, then address the root cause to prevent recurrence.
Heel Pain and Other Long-Term Problems
Heel pain affects millions of people. It could be plantar fasciitis making those first morning steps agonising. Or maybe it’s Achilles’ pain stopping you from exercising. Heel pain rarely gets better on its own. We can find the exact cause and treat it appropriately. This goes beyond basic foot care podiatry. We might use stretching programs, custom insoles, or newer treatments like shockwave therapy.
Ingrown toenails, diabetic foot problems, and mystery foot pain complete the list. Each can significantly impact your daily life if left unaddressed. They might lead to infections, trouble walking, or worse. In bad cases, people can even lose toes or feet.
Key Benefits of Seeing a Podiatrist Regularly
What are the main benefits of seeing a podiatrist? It’s more than just fixing sore feet. Regular care helps keep your entire body healthy and functioning well.
Early Detection and Prevention
Early detection is one of the most significant benefits of seeing a podiatrist. During check-ups, we identify problems you may not have noticed yet. Take diabetes. It often appears first as numbness in the feet or cuts that won’t heal. Identifying these signs early can prevent ulcers, infections, or even the loss of toes. Blood flow problems also manifest first in the feet. This gives us a chance to catch heart or artery problems early.
Access to Professional Treatment
Unlike general practitioners who might see foot problems occasionally, podiatrists deal with these issues daily. This specialisation means access to the latest treatment methods, from advanced wound care products to cutting-edge diagnostic tools.
Benefits of specialised podiatric treatment include:
- Access to prescription-strength medications
- Advanced diagnostic equipment (ultrasound, Doppler assessment)
- Surgical procedures under local anaesthesia
- Custom orthotic design and manufacture
- Specialised wound care products and techniques
- Evidence-based treatment protocols
Customised podiatry care plans take into account your lifestyle, medical history, and personal goals, ensuring treatments work with your life rather than disrupting it.
How to Take Care of Your Feet Between Visits
Learning how to take care of your feet at home keeps them healthy between appointments. Daily foot care doesn’t take long. But doing it every day makes a big difference.
Daily Hygiene and Inspection
Start with basic cleaning. Wash your feet daily with warm water and mild soap. Dry well between your toes – that’s where fungus likes to grow. Check your feet every day for changes in colour, feel, or look. If you have diabetes or poor blood flow, this daily check is crucial.
Essential daily foot care routine:
- Wash feet with warm water (test it with your elbow if you can’t feel the temperature well)
- Dry thoroughly, especially between toes
- Put moisturiser on dry spots, but not between toes
- Look for cuts, blisters, red spots, or swelling
- Cut nails straight across, not too short
- Wear clean socks every day
Use moisturiser on dry areas, but keep it away from between your toes. Too much moisture there helps fungus grow.
Choosing the Right Footwear
Good shoes are key to learning how to take care of your feet. Shoes should have enough room for your toes to move freely. They need firm heel support and a bend at the ball of the foot. Change your shoes each day so they can dry out. Replace worn shoes before they cause problems. Remember, work shoes aren’t the same as exercise shoes. Different activities need different footwear.
When to Seek Help
Know when to seek podiatry care between regular check-ups. Any sudden pain, swelling, or colour changes warrant professional attention.
Seek immediate podiatric attention if you experience:
- Severe pain or inability to bear weight
- Signs of infection (redness, warmth, discharge, red streaks)
- Sudden numbness or tingling
- Open wounds or sores that won’t heal
- Black or blue discolouration under nails
- Sudden swelling in one or both feet
Don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment if you notice wounds that won’t heal, increasing pain, or any discharge from the nails or skin. Early intervention often means simpler treatment and faster recovery.
At Highett Podiatry, our team creates treatment plans that fit your life. Whether you need basic nail care or help with complex foot problems, we’re here for you. We believe everyone should walk without pain.
Don’t let foot problems limit your life. Book an appointment today and see how professional podiatry care can help. Your feet have carried you this far. It’s time to take care of them properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I see a podiatrist?
For most people, a yearly check-up is enough. But if you have diabetes, poor blood flow, or ongoing foot problems, you might need visits every 3-6 months. Athletes and individuals with walking difficulties often require more visits as well. Your podiatrist will advise you on how frequently to visit, based on your individual needs.
Will podiatry treatment hurt?
Most treatments don’t hurt at all. Some might cause slight discomfort. For procedures such as ingrown toenail removal or corn treatment, we use numbing injections as needed. Many patients experience instant relief after treatment, even for problems that have been causing pain for months or years.
Can a podiatrist help with foot odour?
Yes, foot odour often comes from fungal or bacterial infections that can be treated. We identify the cause of the problem, such as excessive sweating or infections. Then we treat it with the right medicine, suggest better shoes, and teach you how to keep your feet fresh.
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
In Australia, you don’t need a GP referral to see a podiatrist privately. But you do need one for Medicare rebates under a care plan or Veterans’ Affairs claims. Private health insurance typically doesn’t require a referral for podiatry services.
What's the difference between a podiatrist and a chiropodist?
There’s no difference in Australia. A chiropodist is simply an older term for the same profession. All foot health professionals in Australia are now referred to as podiatrists. They need a university degree and must register with the Podiatry Board. Both names mean qualified foot doctors.