Wondering about feet...

[Pine Marten]

May I ask for clarification about something? A lot of people here talk about visiting a podiatrist or chiropodist. Apart from the annual 'feet-tickling' I've never been offered this - is it generally only offered to those on insulin, or does it depend on area postcodes or anything?

I've had surgery on both feet in the past few years, but apart from visiting the hospital podiatrist to get orthotics made for my flat feet I've not been offered anything else. The surgery involved inserting several staples and bits of metal plates (the x-rays were interesting 🙂)

Although my feet are ok I wouldn't mind seeing a chiropodist, but don't fancy asking the surgery and getting bogged down with questions and paperwork. Am I being daft?

 

[Rosiecarmel]

I can't help you re the NHS side of things but near me a private chiropodist only costs £30 so worth checking out local private ones

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Although my feet are ok I wouldn't mind seeing a chiropodist, but don't fancy asking the surgery and getting bogged down with questions and paperwork

Have a look on line and see if your area does a self referral system. They do for Devon as I booked my Mum an appointment this way.

 

[grovesy]

Most areas it is only offered to high risk on NHS.

 

[Robin]

I've never had anything other than the annual 'feet tickle' by the surgery 'diabetic' nurse. Not that I feel I need anything, she's never commented on the odd corn.

 

[Pine Marten]

Thanks for your replies, all. Another question: has anyone tried reflexology on their tootsies? It sounds wonderful...

 

[trophywench]

There's never been anything wrong with my tootsies that I needed reflexology to treat. Have had constipation cured though!

We had a friend who was a professional reflexologist and you know when you are slobbing round at home with pals? - this day I was sat on the settee and he sat on the floor, with his back leant against the front of it between my and whoever. My bare foor was next to it and he was massaging it, then somewhere on the pad re went Aha! and started digging into it with his index finger. After about 3 secs, it hurt that much I went to automatically pull my foot away - but he had it gripped! - after a couple more secs he stopped, sighed and went 'Aaaah - that's better!' loosened his grip and put my foot back where it started off. What the hell was THAT for? You' see! he said and giggled.

About half an hour later I violently needed to go to the loo - and It had been about 4 days since I'd 'been'. So I leapt up said excuse me and ran upstairs to the bathroom to do the deed. Apparently whilst I was up there he'd regaled everyone else with what he'd found, what he'd done and why I'd just rushed upstairs so they were all laughing when I walked back in.

I just asked him how the hell he knew? And he said every bit of the foot relates to a different bit of the body and you just get used to knowing what they should feel like, and what they feel like when X or Y is wrong with them, and learn how to cure or ease the X or Y.

But apparently to do it properly, you really should pass Anatomy exams before you go into it professionally, otherwise it can be confusing if you don't know exactly which bit of the body will have some effect on some other part of the body if you don't treat the EXACT location of eg the liver that actually has the prob. (He had done them) He later taught me to massage my bowel through my abdomen, when I got bunged up or thought I was going that way in future. I still do it and it still works - but it's not anything you can just explain - it needs to be 'hands on' so you know which are the problem bits and can differentiate those from the OK parts, and pay them the attention they require.

It's fascinating!

 

[Lynn Davies]

I had my migraines 'cured' by reflexology. It was about 20 years ago and never had one since!

Strange feeling when they hit the right 'line'. I felt something like a buzz run throughout my body down to my fingertips. Very strange.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hmmm, interesting. Thanks, Jenny and Lynn, much food for thought 🙂

 

[pav]

When I was categorised as high risk I was referred to originally a monthly podiatrist check up and nail trim and hard skin removal, these are now around two monthly check ups with a if needed just call them for an appointment. When in the medium risk group they set the appointments every six months.

 

[AJLang]

I used to go to a reflexologist and the first few sessions were uncomfortable but it worked well and I looked forward to the sessions. Irony was that she said that there was a problem with my eyes and it must have been when I was suffering with glaucoma without knowing.

 

[AJLang]

PS I do have see a podiatrist on the NHS every six months but I think they deem me as high risk because I have some neuropathy. Touch wood it has never affected me and isn't painful but I am touching a lot of wood 🙂

 

[Northerner]

I was told shortly after diagnosis to refer myself to the podiatry service, which I did. I get an annual check up by a fully-trained podiatrist which is a bit more involved that the foot-tickling the surgery nurse does as part of her ticklist, although it has varied from the very thorough to the five minute rush job. Apparently, you can no longer self-refer around here, plus a couple of years ago they started charging for some of the services that used to be free. They've also closed the health centre where I normally go, so not sure where I will be going now.

You should get a thorough check on your feet at least once a year when you have diabetes. From some of the reports I have read from members here, some GPs have been useless at spotting and treating problems, even leading to loss of toes so if you do have a problem ever, insist on seeing a specialist would be my advice.

 

[Lindarose]

Quite a few years ago I had a few reflexology sessions with a lady who was training. She was a GPs wife and seemed very into it.
After the first treatment she said I may well develop a sore throat or cold as she had released a lot of tension and sometimes that's how it comes out.
Apart from as a child I've always been very lucky and never get colds. However after that appt I had an absolute stinker! And weird as it sounds it felt good 😱
I think there's definitely something in it if done correctly.

 

[Pine Marten]

Interesting stories! The regular 'foot tickling' I get from the nurse during my appointment with her seems ok, and she checks my foot pulse and so on, and always compliments me on its strength. I might look into local podiatry and/or reflexology when I have a chance. Thanks, everyone, for your replies 🙂

 

[Carolg]

I trained as a reflexologist. Really powerful treatment and although you don't diagnose, you can pick up imbalances in the body, and yes it can be great for constipation. I did a course over a year, and lots of study of anatomy and physiology. Just for interest i also did a training for clinical hypnotherapy. Addressing both the head and the feet

 

[Carolg]

Quite a few years ago I had a few reflexology sessions with a lady who was training. She was a GPs wife and seemed very into it.
After the first treatment she said I may well develop a sore throat or cold as she had released a lot of tension and sometimes that's how it comes out.
Apart from as a child I've always been very lucky and never get colds. However after that appt I had an absolute stinker! And weird as it sounds it felt good 😱
I think there's definitely something in it if done correctly.

Getting rid of toxins.always go to a well qualified therapist