Podiatry medicine is an integral part of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the feet, ankle, leg, and lower limb. The overwhelming majority of people with foot pain and other musculoskeletal problems do not seek medical attention. Instead, they will head to their family physician or chiropractor for relief. For those who do go to a doctor, the usual treatment is a prescription of over the counter medication, perhaps steroids, or some kind of injection. Unfortunately, those treatments do not address the underlying cause of the pain, which can be more severe than the pain that someone is experiencing. Here are some of the most common conditions treated by podiatrists.
The word “dPM” refers to podiatric medicine in general, but “dentistry” specifically. In general, podiatrists and chiropractors perform diagnostic imaging tests, conduct diagnostic studies, provide treatments for painful disorders, prescribe therapies, manage therapy, rehabilitate patients, and educate patients about health issues. In the United States, most podiatric physicians are trained as chiropractors. They must acquire additional certification from the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABMP) and pass a national exam given by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
Correspondence courses are offered at a number of colleges and universities including: Auckland University, College of New Zealand, Victoria University, Massey-onal Technical & Community College, Christchurch College, Queen’s College, Otago College, Keuka College, Mangakino College, Wairakei College, Te Puke College, Wollongong College, St John’s College, Digges College, Te Kuitakyapa College, Wairangaparkwa College, Azusa Pacific University, Catalina Technical Institute, and Watson College. Some universities also have agreements with other health care providers to offer Podiatry a part-time program. At the Master’s level, students receive extensive clinical experience after completing their courses. Some colleges and universities also offer certificate programs in Podiatry.
The greatest benefit of becoming a podiatrist is the opportunity to practice Podiatry in the United States. As a result of the growth of this industry in the United States, there are many accredited college programs around the country. These colleges provide outstanding opportunities for professionals interested in podiatric surgery to pursue a professional career in the field. Because podiatry is considered alternative medicine, podiatrists are not required to be certified in medicine. Because of this, podiatry technicians are often employed in health care settings where there is an urgent need for services but there is no medicine available.
Becoming a podiatrist involves a two-step process that starts with an education at an accredited university or college. At the first step, a student will complete a three-year undergraduate degree. During the second year of study a graduate student will complete a one or two year post-graduate residency in an approved podiatry school under the supervision of a licensed physician. The second year of study will typically include a large amount of hands-on experience as a practicing podiatrist, while he or she completes his or her master’s degree. Podiatry doctors can choose to be board certified upon completion of a specific number of hours of post-graduate residency training.
The goal of becoming a Podiatrist is to help people suffering from various foot-related conditions such as corns, calluses, bursitis, fractures, sprains, tendonitis, foot pain, hammer toes, hammer toe, and foot ulcers. The main purpose of residency in a podiatry department is to provide well-trained, experienced, and knowledgeable podiatrists with the necessary skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat a wide variety of podiatry patients with a high level of skill and professionalism. In order to qualify as a podiatrist, candidates must pass a Board Certification Exam and complete a minimum of five years of residency in a podiatry department. The requirements to become a Podiatrist are different from state to state, so it is advisable for candidates to contact their state board of licensing for specific information.
Many podiatrists also specialize in a particular field of medicine. A few examples of podiatry specialties are Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Foot and Ankle Pain Specialists, Foot Chiropractic/Homeopathic Doctors, and Podiatry Sports Medicine. Many podiatrists also accept on-campus clinics that provide general medical services as well as prescription drugs. Many surgeons also participate in the academic program at a college or university and complete an additional four years of residency after completing their undergraduate degree.
In addition to podiatry specialists, there are a wide range of other healthcare professionals that have completed their undergraduate degrees and pursued graduate degrees in the medical field. Examples include nurses, dental assistants, physical therapists, physician assistants, APRN (apt medical technicians), nurse practitioner, family practitioners, dentist practitioners, and physicians. These specialized healthcare professionals are often found in hospitals, clinics, and offices that deal with a specific specialty such as pediatrics, podiatry, women’s health, orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, and cardiovascular sciences. There are also other specialties within these areas.