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Podiatry: Past, Present, and Future
In modern times, many people have forgotten the importance of feet to one’s overall health and enjoyment of life – until pain and discomfort strike. But the precursors of the modern medical science of podiatry go back a long way, and the future has many advances in store. So says Dr Mark Lin, a Sydney podiatrist with a reputation for pioneering treatments that may soon become the gold standard in podiatric care.
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Foot Doctors: a Rich History
Although the term “podiatry” was first used in 1917, the knowledge that our feet need special care goes all the way back to Ancient Egypt. Here, archeologists have found images of foot treatments on the walls of ancient tombs. Hippocrates, the Ancient Greek physician who is seen as the father of medicine as we know it today, also described the treatment of foot problems like corns and calluses. The methods used to treat these painful, hardened areas of skin are still much the same today.
Throughout history, kings, emperors, and ordinary people alike understood the need for foot doctoring. Admittedly, the former were more likely to have a personal physician specifically appointed for the task. Napoleon was among these notables. Moving forward in time, we find that Abraham Lincoln suffered from painful corns and ingrown toenails that were treated by a specialized physician.
World history could have been different without foot doctors. If Napoleon had not been able to stand up straight and proud at the head of his armies, history may have turned out differently. Imagine a world in which Abraham Lincoln had missed his date to address the crowd at Gettysburg because his feet hurt so much that he couldn’t stand. Indirectly, it’s just possible that we can thank the man who treated Lincoln’s feet for the abolition of slavery.
From Chiropody to Podiatry
As we have seen, doctors who specialized in foot-related problems have been around for centuries, and in 1895, their work was recognized in America with the establishment of the first professional chiropody society. Soon after, the British followed suit, even establishing a foot hospital in London.
Medical schools also recognized the need for training in this field, and in the 1960s, a qualification in podiatry was finally given the designation it still has today. Thus, a podiatrist will have a DPM, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine qualification, and he or she will specialize in treating problems with the feet, ankles, and lower limbs.
Read: Chatswood Sydney Central Sports Podiatrist Feet Pain Treatment No Foot Orthotics
Advances Continue: The Future of Podiatry
Modern podiatrists are qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat foot, ankle and lower limb injuries, and like other doctors, they can prescribe medicine. Many of the therapeutic techniques podiatrists use are a form of physiotherapy, and prescription orthotics are far more than just funny-looking insoles. Some foot doctors even specialize in podiatric surgery including microsurgery – a far cry from the first basic scalpel treatments of corns and calluses.
Up-and coming advances in podiatry include new surgical tools, the use of advanced beaming technology, new anti-fungal treatments for toenails, new bone grafting methods, and bio-integrative implants. Dr Lin is, himself, a pioneer in the use of a new technology. It’s called Trigenics, and he is the first Australian podiatrist to use it in treatment programs.
“In regular podiatry, we look at the muscles and joints of the feet and lower limbs, but Trigenics brings the neurological issues we need to overcome into the equation,” he explains. “All movements originate in the nervous system, and when people have become accustomed to compensating for injuries or physiological issues, the nervous system learns to send out the wrong kind of signals. Pain also scrambles neurological signals, and during treatment, the nervous system has to learn how to initiate healthy movement.”
“Trigenics is a non-invasive and effective tool we can use to help reprogram the nervous system so that it begins to send out the correct signals to the muscles. Since I began implementing it in my practice, my patients and I have been pleased with the rapid and long-lasting results we are able to achieve. Trigenics will be an important part of the future of podiatry. The results we are achieving speak for themselves.”
For further information, visit the The Footwork Clinic – Leading Sports, Podiatry, Foot And Lower Limb Corrective Services to book online, or call Mark Lin or his friendly team on +61 2 9131 6891.
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The information contained in this guide is provided in good faith and is not intended to be nor is it to be used as a substitute for any sort of professional, medical or podiatric advice. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a podiatrist. Any users should always seek the advice of their podiatrist, or other qualified healthcare providers before commencing any treatment.
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