1. What is a Podiatrist

Podiatrist originates from the Greek, 'Podos - Iatros' - meaning Foot Physician

Podiatrists are specialists in diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems, however, due to the foots unique interaction with the lower limb, podiatrists are often involved in the treatment of injuries affecting the lower back, hips, knees and shins.

Maintaining correct alignment within the lower limb is important to limit stress,  and to maintain good posture. Any problems with the position of our feet during stance are exaggerated during walking and further increased during weight bearing athletic activity. Therefore even minor changes in alignment may result in severe lower limb problems.
 

2. Why see a Podiatrist?

A Podiatrist is a professional specialising in diagnosing and treating foot problems, and therefore is best trained in finding the cause of your foot pain.

You go to a Dentist when you have a sore tooth, therefore make a point of going to a Podiatrist when your foot is sore.
 

3. What is the difference between custom-made & off the shelf Arch Supports?

An off-the-shelf arch support does not conform exactly to the structure of your foot, and therefore cannot fully support the arches of your foot, inside or outside. It is usually made of materials that have a short life span, and lose their integrity relatively quickly.
Most off-the-shelf devices come in small, medium, and large, and feet do not come in 3 sizes! Therefore, while off-the-shelf devices may offer limited control  temporarily, they are not a long-term solution.
If shoe stores try and convince you that off-the-shelf arch supports are just as good as custom-made arch supports contact a podiatrist for advice.
 

4. What type of shoe do I need?

There are 3 distinct foot types, normal, flat (pronated), and high-arched (supinated) feet. However people don't fit into these categories perfectly. This is where footwear fitting and foot knowledge becomes very important.
A proper evaluation first by a trained foot professional, a Podiatrist, is important before purchasing expensive athletic shoes. The Podiatrist can let you know not only your foot biomechanics, but also what type of shoe you need, as well as what to look out for when buying shoes, (things to avoid).
 

5. High-Arched Feet, are they good?

Having high-arched feet can cause just as many problems as having flat feet, but it does it in the opposite way. If your arches are too high, your feet tend to roll outwards more than they should and can make you prone to ankle sprains and other injuries. Also this foot type hits the ground a lot harder than it should and can long-term cause wear and tear on the joints of your feet, upper legs and body, especially the back.
A Podiatrist can prevent this from occurring by using different types of inserts to control foot motion, and also give advice on the appropriate footwear to help with cushioning.