Your Guide to Podiatry Treatment in Plymouth

If your feet hurt, everyday life can quickly become much harder.

Walking the dog, doing the shopping, going to work or simply getting around the house can become uncomfortable. And yet, feet are surprisingly easy to ignore. Many people put up with a problem for months because they think it is “just a bit of hard skin” or assume foot pain is something they have to live with.

It isn’t.

If you’re looking for podiatry treatment in Plymouth, knowing what a podiatrist can help with — and when you should book an appointment — is a good place to start.

What is podiatry?

Podiatry is the assessment, treatment and ongoing care of your feet and lower limbs.

A podiatrist is a trained healthcare professional who can look at the cause of a foot problem rather than simply treating what you can see on the surface.

At Derriford Therapies in Plymouth, our podiatrists are HCPC registered. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulates healthcare professionals in the UK and sets standards for training, skills and professional conduct.

For patients, that provides important reassurance that their feet are being looked after by a properly qualified professional.

What can a podiatrist in Plymouth help with?

You certainly don't need to wait until you can barely walk before visiting a podiatrist.

In fact, getting advice earlier can often prevent a relatively small problem from becoming much more uncomfortable.

Some of the common reasons people visit our Plymouth podiatry clinic include:

• Corns and hard skin

• Painful or difficult-to-cut toenails

• Thickened toenails

• Ingrown toenails

• Heel pain

• Plantar fasciitis

• Foot and ankle discomfort

• Verrucae

• Changes to the skin or nails

• Foot problems affecting walking or mobility

• Regular foot health checks

Sometimes people aren't quite sure what the problem is.

That's absolutely fine.

You don't need to diagnose yourself before making an appointment. That's part of our job.

Podiatry is about more than cutting toenails

One of the biggest misconceptions about podiatry is that it is simply somewhere to go when your toenails become difficult to cut.

Nail care can certainly be part of an appointment, but podiatry goes much further.

Your podiatrist may look at how your feet are functioning, where your pain is coming from and whether footwear, pressure or movement could be contributing to the problem.

Think of your feet like any other important part of your body.

Most of us wouldn't think twice about having our eyes checked or visiting the dentist when something doesn't feel right. Your feet deserve the same attention — particularly when they carry you around all day.

What happens at a podiatry appointment?

If you've never visited a podiatrist before, you may be wondering what actually happens.

Don't worry. There's no foot exam to revise for!

Your appointment will normally begin with a conversation about what has been bothering you.

We may ask when the problem started, what makes it better or worse and whether it is affecting your walking or normal activities.

Your podiatrist can then examine your feet and discuss what they find.

Depending on the problem, treatment may be possible during the appointment. In other situations, we may recommend further treatment, changes to footwear, exercises or another form of care.

Most importantly, we'll explain things in plain English.

We want you to understand what is happening, what your options are and what you can do next.

When should you see a podiatrist?

There isn't a single rule.

However, it is worth seeking professional advice if you have foot pain that keeps returning, a problem that isn't improving or something that is beginning to affect how you walk.

You should also consider making an appointment if:

• A corn or area of hard skin keeps returning

• Your toenails are painful or difficult to manage

• You have ongoing heel or arch pain

• Your footwear has suddenly become uncomfortable

• You're changing the way you walk because something hurts

• You're concerned about a change in your feet or toenails

• A foot problem is stopping you doing the things you enjoy

Pain is your body's way of telling you something needs attention.

You don't get bonus points for putting up with it.

What about heel pain and plantar fasciitis?

Heel pain is a particularly common reason people seek podiatry treatment in Plymouth.

One possible cause is plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue running underneath your foot. When it becomes irritated, you may experience pain around the heel or bottom of the foot.

A classic complaint is pain during the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning.

However, not every painful heel is plantar fasciitis.

That's why an assessment can be useful. Rather than guessing from an internet search, a podiatrist can assess your symptoms and help work out what may be causing the pain.

Treatment and advice can then be based on you and your feet, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Can you look after foot problems yourself?

There are plenty of simple things you can do to help keep your feet comfortable.

Wear shoes that fit properly and give your feet enough room. Check your feet regularly for changes, particularly around the nails and areas that experience lots of pressure.

Try not to ignore persistent pain.

And please be careful with sharp tools and shop-bought corn-removal products.

Attempting a bit of bathroom surgery on your own feet can turn a manageable problem into a much bigger one surprisingly quickly.

If you're not sure what you're dealing with, professional advice is the safer option.

Choosing a podiatrist in Plymouth

When you're choosing someone to care for your feet, qualifications matter.

The term podiatrist is protected in the UK, which means a person using that title must be registered with the HCPC.

At Derriford Therapies, we believe patients should expect more than a rushed appointment.

Our priority is your health. We'll give you honest advice, explain your options and help you make an informed decision about your treatment.

Sometimes that means treatment in the clinic. Sometimes it means advice about what you can safely do yourself.

Either way, your best interests come first.

Podiatry treatment at Derriford Therapies in Plymouth

Derriford Therapies has been providing care in Plymouth since 2022.

Our clinic is designed to feel friendly, welcoming and approachable. We have bright, spacious treatment rooms and ground-floor access, with a ramp available to the left of the shop parade.

There is free and easy parking nearby, including the adjacent car park and on-road parking directly in front of the shops.

We also offer:

• Simple online booking for non-emergency appointments

• A friendly reception team if you'd rather speak to someone

• Debit and credit card payments

• Extended appointments for more complex problems

• Evening, weekend and emergency appointments

• Fully GDPR-compliant care

Whether you're struggling with heel pain, troublesome toenails, hard skin or a foot problem you simply can't put your finger on, you're welcome to come and see us.

Your feet shouldn't stop you doing what you enjoy

Foot problems have a habit of starting small.

A little soreness becomes something you avoid putting weight on. A painful nail changes the shoes you wear. Heel pain makes you think twice about going for a walk.

Before long, your feet are making decisions for you.

They shouldn't be.

If you're looking for podiatry treatment in Plymouth, our HCPC-registered podiatry team at Derriford Therapies is here to help you understand what's happening and find the right way forward.

Don't feel you have to put up with uncomfortable feet.

Book your podiatry appointment online or give our friendly reception team a call to find out how we can help.