Why regular visits to a podiatrist are important for your overall health

 Movement and balance are supported by feet, therefore a foot problem affects the gait and posture. As a result, secondary health issues may arise in the knee, hips or back regions. It can be stated that foot conditions impact the overall health and well-being of an individual.

A study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research determined foot conditions are a significant risk factor among adults. Hence, prevention of future complications and maintaining overall health and well-being requires regular visits to a podiatrist in Tustin California.

Who is a podiatrist and what do they do?

Podiatry is a healthcare specialty responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the foot and ankle. Professionals who get the education and training are called podiatrists.

It is not surprising that foot problems have become common and therefore the demand for advanced podiatry services has risen. Apart from providing basic foot pain treatment and footwear guidance, a podiatrist can also perform surgeries for foot related conditions like ingrown toenails and ankle surgeries.

People of all age groups can visit a podiatrist in Huntington Beach CA. The offered treatments involvediabetic foot care, foot and ankle surgeries, fungal nail laser treatment, diabetic shoes and orthotics, sports injuries, heel pain and more. Moreover, a podiatrist is the right person to seek medical care when an individual suffers from bunions or calluses. In addition to this, if a child has gait problems or suffering from growing pains, a podiatrist can perform biomechanical assessments to overcome the issues.

The benefits of preventive care

Preventive care offered by a podiatrist is essential for overall health and well-being. Routine visits to a podiatrist in Orange County are helpful in identifying potential foot conditions before they become severe.

Preventive care is most useful for individuals who are at potential risk of developing corns, calluses, or blisters. Routine check-ups by a podiatrist can prevent the likelihood of these conditions and early detection of foot conditions avoids the risk of further complications to the foot health as well as overall well-being.

Personalized treatment plans

Podiatrists are foot doctors, they are extensively trained and have a wealth of knowledge to treat foot conditions. Rather than taking over the counter pain relievers, visiting a podiatrist is definitely a better option for everyone.

A podiatrist not just prescribes medication to manage the symptoms, but they work on the root cause of the problem. For instance, if a patient arrives with a debilitating condition called plantar fasciitis, the podiatrists will conduct an in-depth biomedical assessment to recognize the underlying issue. Based on the findings of the diagnosis, the foot doctor then prepares a multi-disciplinary personalized treatment plan, which may involve a range of treatment options such as physical therapy, custom orthotics and prescription to improvethe overall foot function.

Improvement in the quality of life

The American Podiatrist Medical Association conducted a survey to reveal that more than 70% of Americans have foot problems. WebMD stated that over 1 million people get diagnosed with plantar fasciitis every year. Moreover, according to the American Diabetes Association, around 25% of diabetics develop foot ulcers that lead to severe conditions like amputation and life-threatening diseases.

To put it simply, there are plenty of chronic conditions that not just affect the feet or affect the range of motion; these conditions adversely impact the quality of life. People with plantar fasciitis cannot get a sound sleep at night, their mornings are worse and those who suffer fromdiabetic foot are eventually at risk of foot amputations. All these serious complications, painful conditions or life-threatening infections can be prevented by a Podiatrist Irvine. Moreover, if a child is suffering from gait issues, timely identification of the condition can help in significant improvement in the overall posture, confidence and well-being of the individual. Painful foot conditions lead to sleeping difficulties and lack of sleep is linked with cognitive disability and poor productivity.

For a happier and healthier life, it is best to visit a podiatrist regularly. Below are the ways a podiatrist plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life.

Foot care education to prevent potential complications
Footwear advice for the management of painful conditions
Timely treatment to avoid the risk of further complications
Personalized treatment plan to obtain high quality patient outcomes

Whether it is diabetes, sports injury, an ingrown toenail or the debilitating condition of arthritis, seeing a podiatrist on a routine basis is the best option to lead a healthy life.

Conclusion

Podiatrists treat a variety of foot conditions; the ailments that affect your foot health as well as overall well-being. Podiatrists are committed to providing personalized treatment plans, educating you about preventive care and providing specialized post-injury care. Taking care of your feet is essential for overall health because pain and discomfort in the lower extremities affect your mobility, your sleep schedule, your productivity and your cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is recommended to schedule routine check-ups with a podiatrist.

You can also schedule an appointment at the Orange County Foot and Ankle Group which has offices at three different locations, i.e. Huntington Beach, Fullerton and Tustin. The board certified podiatrists at OCFA are committed to providing excellent services for preventive care, early detection of complications and advanced podiatry services for personalized treatment of foot related complications.