When you see a podiatrist or chiropodist, they will perform an initial assessment of your feet, ankles, lower limbs and gait which will include investigating how you stand, walk and move. Once your assessment has been completed, your podiatrist or chiropodist will recommend appropriate treatment options. If you are looking for a podiatrist near you, then Paul Miller Podiatry is a professional foot care specialist with decades of experience, click here to get in touch today.
A clear answer:
In the UK today, there is no practical difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist. Both are protected professional titles regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. “Chiropodist” is the older term, while “podiatrist” is now more commonly used.
What is the difference between chiropody and podiatry?
In the UK, there is no practical difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist. Both are trained healthcare professionals who assess, diagnose and treat conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs.
“Chiropodist” is the older term, while “podiatrist” is the modern name used more widely today. Both titles are protected by law, meaning anyone using them professionally must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Depending on their qualifications and experience, a chiropodist or podiatrist may help with:
- Corns and callouses
- Verrucas and nail conditions
- Heel and foot pain
- Diabetic foot care
- Walking and gait problems
- Sports-related injuries
- Orthotics and footwear advice
The services offered can vary between practitioners, so it is important to choose an HCPC-registered professional with experience treating your particular condition.
If you have any questions please get in touch with Paul Miller in the form below:
Do Podiatrists and Chiropodists Have Different Skills?
In the UK, podiatrists and chiropodists belong to the same regulated profession, so one title does not indicate a greater level of skill than the other. “Chiropodist” is simply the older term, while “podiatrist” is more commonly used today.
The services an individual practitioner provides will depend on their qualifications, experience, specialist training and professional scope of practice.
History of Podiatry in the UK
Podiatry is one of the oldest professions in the UK. It was officially recognised as a profession in 1918 after many years of resistance by the medical fraternity who did not believe chiropody could be taught clinically.
The history of podiatry begins with the first chiropodists. In 1881, James William King published a book called “Chiropody\ that discussed foot and shoe care. His book was one of the first written on the subject and is considered by some to be the beginning of modern-day podiatry. King helped establish what became known as The National College of Chiropody (NCC), which was founded in 1895 in London and formed under an Education Committee led by King. This organization would later become a professional body for chiropodists to join, and it still exists today as part of Podiatry UK. If you are interested you can read about the history of Podiatry here.
In 1900, Henry Bardsley opened his own practice in Bristol after qualifying from The National College of Chiropody with distinction. He then went on to teach at various schools across England until he retired from practice following World War II. During this time period, there were many other notable men who contributed greatly toward advancing the field including John Gossage, Leslie Hales-Smith, Harold Bowers, Charles Windsor Smith, Harold Aldridge, Harry Haynes, and Montague Howard Barlow.
The profession of chiropody/podiatry started primarily with the need to treat foot problems of soldiers during the first world war. Chiropodists, who were mostly women at that time, were employed as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) during that period. In 1918, two VADs in Scotland wrote an article in one of the daily newspapers about their WWI experiences. It was then reported that Winston Churchill read the article, thought it was interesting and asked his staff to arrange for an interview with them when he visited Scotland sometime in 1919. As a result of this meeting, he had his foot treated by these two VADs and become a regular patient after that.
Are Podiatrists and Chiropodists Foot Specialists?
Both podiatrists and chiropodists are often described as foot specialists. In the UK, the titles refer to the same regulated profession, although “podiatrist” is the term more commonly used today.
Their work can extend beyond routine foot care to include the assessment and management of:
- Foot, ankle and lower-limb pain
- Sports-related foot and ankle injuries
- Walking and gait problems
- Foot mechanics and alignment
- Conditions that affect mobility
The exact treatments offered will depend on the practitioner’s qualifications, experience and specialist training.
How Do You Become a Podiatrist in the UK?
The most common route to becoming a podiatrist in the UK is to complete an HCPC-approved undergraduate degree in podiatry. These courses normally take three to four years and combine academic study with practical clinical training.
Alternative routes may include:
- A postgraduate pre-registration podiatry course for someone who already holds a suitable undergraduate degree
- A podiatry degree apprenticeship, which combines university study with workplace training
After completing an approved qualification, graduates must apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council before they can practise using the protected titles “podiatrist” or “chiropodist”.
There is no separate modern qualification required to become a chiropodist. In the UK, “chiropodist” and “podiatrist” are protected titles for the same regulated profession. Osteopathy is a different healthcare profession and should not be confused with chiropody or podiatry.
Some podiatrists undertake additional postgraduate education to specialise in areas such as musculoskeletal care, prescribing or podiatric surgery, but this training is not required for general registration as a podiatrist.
How to become a chiropodist
If you are thinking of becoming a chiropodist, it is important to consider what your training will entail.
The University of Manchester offers the following information on its course website:
“Our three-year BSc Podiatry degree course is designed to teach you how to be an effective podiatrist and teach you a range of skills such as taking foot and knee casts and using specialised equipment. You’ll also learn about anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and pharmacology; analyse patients’ gait mechanics; provide expert advice on management strategies for foot disorders affecting individuals with diabetes or those who have suffered accidents such as fractures or burns; assess risk factors associated with the development of conditions such as osteoarthritis; assess the condition of patients with neurology problems before prescribing footwear or other aids.”
What Happens When You Visit a Podiatrist or Chiropodist?
Your appointment will normally begin with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and any concerns you have about your feet or lower limbs.
Depending on the reason for your visit, the podiatrist may assess:
- Your feet, ankles and lower limbs
- Your skin and toenails
- Areas of pain, swelling or reduced movement
- The way you stand, walk or run
- Your footwear and its effect on your feet
- Your circulation and sensation, where appropriate
Once the assessment is complete, your podiatrist will explain their findings and recommend a suitable treatment or care plan. This could include treatment during the appointment, footwear advice, exercises, changes to your foot-care routine or orthotic insoles.
Some conditions may require further appointments or a specialist procedure. If the problem falls outside the podiatrist’s professional scope, they may recommend that you speak to your GP or another healthcare professional.
Get in touch with Paul Miller Podiatry today.
Are Registered Chiropodists Also Podiatrists?
In the UK, “chiropodist” and “podiatrist” are protected titles for the same regulated profession. “Chiropodist” is the older name, while “podiatrist” is the term more commonly used today.
Anyone practising under either title must be appropriately qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. A practitioner’s particular services will depend on their qualifications, experience and specialist training.
Choosing the Right Foot-Care Professional
You do not need to choose between a chiropodist and a podiatrist based on the title alone. Instead, check that the practitioner is HCPC registered and has experience treating your particular condition.
Paul Miller Podiatry provides professional foot care for patients of different ages from clinics in Strood and Sidcup. Our services include routine foot care, nail problems, diabetic foot care, gait assessment, orthotics and treatment for a range of foot and lower-limb conditions.
If you are experiencing foot pain or are unsure which treatment you need, contact us to arrange an assessment. Home visits may also be available for patients who are unable to attend the clinic.
You can find out more about the practice on our About Us page, or explore our full range of podiatry services.