The Walking Clinic owner Richard Lee. The Walking Clinic is one of Canberra’s most recommended podiatrists. Photo: Ben Calvert.
Do you been suffer from big toe joint pain, arch pain, heel pain, shin splints, or another problem with your feet and legs? It might be time to see a podiatrist.
A podiatrist’s job is to take care of your feet and lower limbs. They get you moving without pain. In the world of podiatry, prevention is better than cure. Left untreated, simple problems can lead to greater pain and even loss of mobility. This can, in turn, cause you to gain weight gain, loss muscle tone and damage nerves. It can also lead to an inactive lifestyle.
In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a podiatrist, and share where to find the best in Canberra.
What makes a great podiatrist?
A podiatrist can help you sort out your feet, ankle and lower limb problems, leading to better health and reduced stress.
It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a podiatrist.
- Qualifications and registration. Podiatrists in Australia must hold a Bachelor of Podiatry as a minimum. As a medical specialist, they must also be registered to practice and properly insured.
- Services and specialisation. Many podiatrists offer a wide range of services. Others specialise in a particular area like podiatric surgery or sports medicine. Hop online to check that the services your podiatrist offers suits your needs.
- Experience. You’ll want to check how experienced your podiatrist is, so you have confidence. Check online to see how many years they’ve been in business. You can also check online for reviews. Finally check if they’re members of a professional association. This could include the Australian Podiatry Association.
- Connections. Great podiatrists have a network of health professionals. This could include doctors, physiotherapists, and remedial massage therapists. Having a network allows your podiatrist to treat your foot or ankle condition holistically for the best outcome.
- Relaxed environment. Seeking treatment for a painful medical condition is never fun. Look for a podiatrist that has a relaxing and pleasant environment. This will help you feel more comfortable during your visits.
The best podiatrists in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
The Walking Clinic
The Walking Clinic's expert, experienced podiatrists help clients live without foot pain. As the original podiatrists in Canberra, The Walking Clinic has been serving the local community for over 40 years, every step of the way.
The Walking Clinic’s professional podiatrists diagnose and treat a wide range of foot, heel, ankle knee, and hip concerns, to free clients from discomfort. This includes through general podiatry treatments, biomechanical assessments and footwear advice. The Walking Clinic work with diabetic patients and is one of the few clinics in Canberra to use a neurothesiometer, a state-of-the-art machine that diagnoses whether clients suffer from peripheral neuropathy. The clinic assesses and treats children’s feet, to prevent long-term issues. Clients of all ages are helped to live pain-free with a range of treatment interventions, including custom-made orthoses, constructed and fitted for optimal results.
Services also include management of aching tired legs and feet, Achilles tendon pain, cracked skin, spurs, bunions, chilblains, corns and calluses, fungal nails (with laser treatment), ingrown and infected nails, gout, Athlete’s foot, warts and foot odour. The team is also seasoned at diagnosing and treating issues related to flat feet, intoeing and knock knees.
Accessing The Walking Clinic is easy and convenient with clinics in Belconnen, Garran, Lyneham, Kippax, Woden, and coming soon to Manuka. No referrals are required. Treatments are claimable through all private health funds.
On Google, Kathryn Howell wrote, “I had plantar fasciitis. Very satisfied with both the explanation of what was happening and why—and what to do. Now free of it.”
Active-Foot Podiatry
Active-Foot Podiatry is a sports and family podiatry clinic with locations in Deakin and Hawker. Its podiatrists have a special focus on podiatric sports medicine. They also have an interest in paediatrics, general and diabetes podiatry. Other services include ingrown toenail procedures, diabetes assessments, vascular ultrasound studies, callus and corn removals, laser treatment for fungal nails, wart removals and general foot care. All podiatrists are members of professional associations.
ACT Podiatry
With clinics in Tuggeranong and Weston, ACT Podiatry makes accurate diagnoses and then prescribes comprehensive treatments for foot, ankle and lower limb problems. All podiatrists have extensive training and expertise. ACT Podiatry treats general skin and nail problems. They also treat foot injuries, mechanical problems, and complex foot and ankle problems. No referral is necessary.
On Google, Raymond Thrift wrote, “I have been going to podiatry for 12 years now and have found ACT Podiatry to be the very best.”
Peak Performance Podiatry
Peak Performance Podiatry is the sports and exercise podiatry clinic in Canberra with Sports Scientists, Professional Level Strength and Conditioning Coaches and Exercise Scientists delivering optimised injury rehabilitation programs. Experts focuses on complete musculoskelatal care rather than just orthotics and provides high-quality service.
Sue Langwill wrote on Google, “100% recommended! These guys are fabulous- they are knowledgeable, they care about their patient ... They provide a mixture of short term pain relief plus provide long term solutions that focus on the cause of the problem ...”
If you’re looking for more information on health services in Canberra, you might like our articles on the best sports massage therapists, the best physiotherapists and the best remedial massage clinics Canberra has to offer.
Your experience with podiatrists in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the podiatrists listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to see a podiatrist for?
This depends on the recommendation of your podiatrist and the healing or recovery plan you're on. Make sure you stick closely to your podiatrist's advice . Keep on top of the at-home advice they've given you you don't slow down progress or do further damage.
Are there different types of podiatry?
Yes. Podiatrists treat a wide variety of foot and lower extremity conditions through nonsurgical and surgical approaches. Aside from general podiatry, there is also sports podiatry, high-risk wound care and podiatric vascular medicine, to name a few.
Can a podiatrist fix ingrown toenails?
Yes. Podiatrists can trim hard-to-manage toenails and help prevent ingrown nails. The best advice is to keep your toenails trimmed in a straight line, keep them at a moderate length, and wear shoes that fit properly.
Are podiatrists doctors?
Yes. A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), known also as a podiatric physician or surgeon, qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg.
How is a podiatrist different from a physiotherapist?
A podiatrist is great for issues directly related to your feet, such as heel pain, ingrown toenails or injury. A physiotherapist is useful if your pain or injury is affecting more than one area of your body.
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