SERVICES
Soft Tissue Procedures
Many people first encounter a foot health practitioner (FHP) either when they are in pain or their feet have become infected or their nails have become diseased. The role of an FHP is to diagnose, assess and treat foot, ankle and lower limb disorders both reactively and proactively.
Verruca treatment
Verrucae are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They usually present as a small hard local growth that develops on the soles of feet or hands. They usually have a rough surface bounded by a harder raised edge. They sometimes have black spots in them.
Verruca’s are not only unsightly but the virus can be spread around ones own body by autoinoculation or to others by the direct touching of infected areas or indirect contamination of warm damp areas such as showers and changing rooms.
Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has proven to be safe, even the mild side effects like redness or bruising are rare, mild and transitory. NICE have published guidance on ESWT which codifies its practice and highlights areas where it should not be used, these include the brain , the eyes, the thoracic area and during pregnancy.
Postural Alignment Therapy
Your postural alignment is created by the combination of skeletal structure and muscle function. Skeletal misalignment can be helped by many methods, including the use of knees braces, orthotics, osteopathy, Pilates, back braces, shoulder braces , better postural understanding, Egoscue method, strengthening or retracking the relevant muscle groups ect. Whichever method is used, it will be drug free, and administered by well qualified and experienced practitioners
Nail Dystrophies
Nail dystrophy may manifest as a misshapen, damaged, infected or discoloured nail that may affects the toenails, fingernails or both.Our Foot Health Practioners have the training and experience to identify many foot conditions such as verruca’s, fungal infections, ingrowing toenails, pressure lesions’, trachyonychia, parasitic infections, psoriasis, pressure callouses and corns to name but a few. Whether your motivator for foot treatment is nail cosmesis or discomfort our practitioners will be able to help.
Biomechanical / Gait Analysis
Trying to understand the pain caused by biomechanical dysfunction involves understanding the whole of the kinetic chain however as the foundations of the body, the feet play a substantial part. From their perspective, gait analysis is concerned with how the Sub Taylor joint (ankle joint) translates the internal or external rotation of the lower leg to pronation or supination in the foot. The understanding of the relationship between lower limb function and pain has changed over time.
Fungal Nail Treatment
Fungal infection of toenails is referred to as onychomycosis. It is most commonly caused by dermatophytic fungi which can cause toenails to crumble, or become distorted and discoloured or cause them to thicken or crack. This is the same fungi responsible for athletes foot. Untypically nail infection may be caused by usually yeasts (eg. Candida) and moulds These pathogens tend to attack nails that are already damaged.
Electromagnetic Therapy
Electromagnetic therapy is a treatment in which pulses of electromagnetic energy are directed at areas of pain via a probe, body mats, or spot applicators. The wave of the electromagnetic pulse is between 1Hz—10,000Hz, depending on the intensity that is required. At these low frequencies the electro-magnetic wave has a low ionisation power, and does not pose any threat.
Cryotherapy
Viruses can not be killed because they are not truly alive. They exist in the margin between living things and chemicals. They can be concentrated , crystallised and stored in a flask for years before being used to take over the metabolism of a living cell.Although warts and verruca are not life threatening, they do cause pain, disfigurement and can limit activities. They can spread across the hands, feet, and to other areas of the body.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and Calluses are caused when there is repeated stress or friction on the skin. They can develop anywhere on the body although they are most commonly formed on the hands and feet. Calluses are not usually painful but can be unsightly and are often an indication of a biomechanical or postural dysfunction. Corns are typically hard and localized at a specific point, however corns between the toes can be soft and damp.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is based on the principle that physical manipulation can help improve joint mobility, relieve muscle tension, and improve blood supply. The techniques used help the body to heal without the use of drugs or surgery. Although we have seen significant improvements in our patients wellbeing, not all osteopathic techniques are based upon the most rigorous scientific evidence.
