Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Podiatry

Posted on: 25 February 2019

Share  

Sports podiatry is a medical discipline that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and pathology of the feet and lower limbs. Podiatrists often have to deal even with certain problems of the legs and the back because the lower limbs are tightly connected to them and might have caused the said conditions.

How Do You Know When to Visit a Sports Podiatrist?

If you are a person that engages in recreational or professional sports, then you have your answer. Sports podiatrists are often used by people for training and for preventing injuries. Other than that, podiatrists are also very helpful for people who often injure their feet or legs. This often indicates a physiological or mechanical condition that needs to be seen through.

What Does a Podiatrist Look Out For?

Initially, a podiatrist will run a gait scanner and examine the way you walk, watching how forceful it is and the way you put your feet onto the ground. Additionally, he or she will control your chain of motion. Your chain of motion is the way your body transfers energy from your feet through your knees, past your hip and into your back to walk. This way, a podiatrist will be able to determine your condition very quickly.

What Happens After the Examination?

After the issue has been identified, your podiatrist will prescribe you treatment to fix the problem. The treatment most of the time includes stretching and muscle strengthening exercises. This is a very general prescription, and it is safe to say that every single person has a different issue and, therefore, will undergo a different treatment.

You might also need to correct your positioning or movement that may have developed improperly. For this, your podiatrist will assign you orthotic inserts. It is also very likely to be advised to change your footwear to a more adaptive one. Your shoes also change the way you put your foot on the ground and as a consequence, they might cause problems.

What is Strength Training About?  

Being podiatrists, these medical professionals specialise in any method that might facilitate the daily training routine of a professional runner. One of those methods that they often recommend is strength training. This is a method that is not only made to strengthen the muscles but also strengthens the ligaments and tendons to render you less prone to injury.

Locate a podiatrist near you for more information on how a podiatrist can help you.