From Chiropody to Podiatry
The profession started off with individuals who could pull out teeth and debride corns, 'tooth pullers' and ' corn cutters'. We eventually had a branching off into dentistry and chiropody. Brittanicca has a more detailed description quoted below:
Podiatry, also called Chiropody, medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the human foot. The ancient Egyptian Ebers medical papyrus (c. 1500 bc) records some of the earliest remedies for foot problems, and other references to foot treatment are found in the medical literature of most succeeding centuries. The word chiropody derives from the first modern work that was primarily devoted to the medical care of the foot, a 1774 treatise by D. Low of London entitled Chiropodologia. Doctors specializing in foot care appeared in England in the late 18th century, and itinerant “corn cutters” became a fixture of North American rural life during the 19th century. The National Association of Chiropodists was founded in the United States in 1912 and became the American Podiatric Medical Association in 1983. The term podiatry was coined by M.J. Lewi of New York in 1917.
https://www.britannica.com/science/podiatry
Here's more from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine:
The Field of Podiatric Medicine is Born
Until 1885, chiropody was a craft. Its craftsmen were men and women who learned from their predecessors that by applying the skill acquired in training, they could alleviate pain and discomfort for those afflicted with minor foot ailments.
In 1905, the New York State legislature awarded chiropodists the right to organize and to determine the fitness of individuals desiring to practice chiropody.
By 1911, the New York School of Chiropody had been created, dedicated to educating and training chiropodists. Dr. Maurice J. Lewi, a physician and educator, then serving as Secretary to the New York State Board of Examiners, was named the first president of the school.
Dr. Lewi, an activist and leader in educational reforms, formulated the first legislation governing the practice of chiropody. Working in concert with a small group of educators, Dr. Lewi then devised curricula and training programs for the first course of study at the school.
He suggested the term chiropody be changed to podiatry as etymologically correct. Subsequently, the term podiatry was adopted by other colleges of podiatric medicine and by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
https://www.nycpm.edu/history.asp
What then do podiatrists do?
Podiatrists/ chiropodists diagnose and treat the diseases, disabilities and deformities of the foot by physical therapy, footwear adaptations, other mechanical devices, pharmaceuticals and minor or major surgery. The world of podiatry/ chiropody is wide in scope of practice. Thick nails, Ingrowing toe nails, corns, veruccas, callus, foot infections, foot ulcers, foot deformity, toe deformity, footwear, insoles, orthotics, biomechanics, forensics, nail surgery, foot surgery, paediatric developmental issues...basically anything and everything that can afflict the foot.
How to become one?
You need to love feet! No, not really. Just get a degree in podiatry. See this website for more information https://rcpod.org.uk/
Or you can join an NHS trust as a podiatry apprentice-https://rcpod.org.uk/become-a-podiatrist/blog/podiatry-apprenticeship
Perhaps once qualified you can join our great team at softfeet podiatry.
Other countries names for podiatrist
- Germany- Fußpfleger
- Italian & Spanish- Podologa/ Podologo
- Japan- Kairopodisuto
- Swedish- Kiropodist
- Dutch- Likdoornsnijder
- Polish- Pedicurzysta
- French- Pedicure