Almost every day I get asked what made me become a Podiatrist, most of my patient are freaked out at the thought of touching feet, even there own. If you asked me back at school if I ever aspired to be a Podiatrist the answer would certainly be a 'No way.'
One of my Nana's had bunions and hammer toes and like most ladies of that era squashed them into the slimline court shoe. It was about glamour and appearance more than looking after the feet. Most ladies (and gentlemen too! - remember winkle pickers!) would visit their Chiropodist and leave pain free with the obligatory orange sponge wrapped around their toes! My Nana always told me to look after my feet and I did ....well mostly I still loved my high heels back in my 20's.
Now in my 50's I spend most of my free time in wellies, as I swapped the night life for the garden, my poor feet would get distressed out at the thought of 3 inch heels now!
I became a Podiatrist in my 30's quite by accident, I was looking for a change in career and with a Toddler Son I needed to do something whereby I could work around him and his needs too. I looked at careers in medicine and came across Podiatric Medicine, there was a course near by and it allowed me to work either in the NHS or autonomously which was a great benefit. The course was great and it came with an added bonus, I met my Husband here too.
We both have a passion for feet and their pathologies from simple nail care, to wound care, MSK, nail surgery and laser therapy. Podiatry is so versatile and has so many facets. Its not just about debriding corns, calluses and cutting nails, there is always a reason why those problems occur and as a 'foot doctor' we look at how we can manage your problem and improve your mobility too.
If there are any inspiring Podiatrists out there I would definitely recommend it as a career and I am more than happy to let you shadow me to get a feel for the work.
There is nothing greater than seeing our patients problems either reduced and/or resolved. We both have worked in hospitals and our own private clinics. After 11 years in Australia we moved back to the UK and fell in love with our home in Dumfries. Nick is currently in the NHS in Workington and for the last 15 months I was working for a Private Practice company at the Crichton. Unfortunately that did not work out and in May I decided to open my practice in Lochthorn Medical Centre. The GP clinic is on the ground floor, spacious, airy and wheelchair friendly. The staff have been so welcoming and we have a Dentist, Pharmacy and Acupuncturist here too.
It has been a great move and I am thoroughly enjoying my career again and having a new lease of life. I hope to add on new services as time goes on, potentially wax bath treatments or nail reconstruction, there is so much to do and so much more to learn.
I will be doing regular blogs, with videos and education or just to let you know how I am getting on. Hopefully to inspire you to come and visit. Check out some of my
services on my website and hope to speak to you soon.
Take care Amanda
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