FAQs
What is the difference between a Foot Health Practitioner and a Podiatrist?
In short, a Foot Health Practitioner can assess and treat a wide variety of common foot complaints, but is not able to diagnose, whereas a Podiatrist can offer formal diagnosis and medical report writing for all foot conditions.
Therefore, for any non-superficial issues, a Foot Health Practitioner will be able to refer you to a Podiatrist or to the NHS for further diagnosis and treatment.
A Podiatrist, on the other hand, is fully equipped and trained to diagnose and treat all medical foot conditions including a wide variety of complex issues such as biomechanics and prescriptions.
If you aren’t sure whether to book your first appointment with a Foot Health Practitioner or a Podiatrist, we are happy to recommend either based on your preference and budget, as both will be able to direct you toward the service best optimised for your individual needs.
However, if there is a specific foot issue or health complaint you would like to have diagnosed, it would be best to book with an HCPC registered Podiatrist as they are able to handle a broader range of more complex needs using formal medical channels.
This applies to all of our treatments – whatever you decide to book, our aim is always to help you find the best possible resolution for your foot health needs.
Do I have to remove my nail varnish before my appointment?
Yes please! Part of your treatment involves an assessment of your nail health, so that any issues can be identified and treated proactively during your appointment.
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If you wish to keep your nail polish on, just let your clinician know at the beginning of your appointment and they will work around the varnish. However, for optimal health results we strongly recommend removing your polish beforehand.
What is the difference between Podiatry and Chiropody?
Both Podiatrist and Chiropodist titles are used to describe a practitioner who is able to “diagnose and treat disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet”, as determined by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
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Many foot experts choose to use the title they trained under, with Podiatry being the more modern of the two titles. Our Founder and Principal Podiatrist Amber Kibby trained as a Podiatrist, and hence uses that title.
How do you treat Corns and Callus?
Where there are areas of high friction on the foot, corns and callus may develop from hardened skin, which can cause pain or discomfort.
During treatment, corns are expertly enucleated and callus gently removed using a small scalpel blade. This doesn’t hurt, as corns and callus are made entirely from dead skin, so there are no nerve endings present in the affected area.
Your podiatrist will also investigate underlying causes of the corn/callus to try and prevent it from coming back.
I have an ingrowing toenail – how can you help?
Your ingrowing toenail will be expertly and gently treated during your appointment. Sole Revival Podiatry uses a range of techniques and will pick the one best suited to your individual needs, to give the best results and for future prevention.
Do the treatments hurt?
Most people find their podiatry treatments an enjoyable experience, and Sole Revival Podiatry aims to make all of our treatments as relaxing as possible.
As with any medical procedure, occasionally while treating certain conditions there may be some temporary discomfort during or shortly after your appointment in order to resolve a wider medical issue – your podiatrist will always consult you in depth before any interventions that may cause temporary discomfort, and will never proceed with any treatment without your prior informed consent.
What if my foot hurts and it isn’t a skin or nail issue?
Our Biomechanical Assessments are the treatment for you if this is the case. During this 45 minute in-depth appointment, your podiatrist will check your foot, posture, range of motion and gait, and your issue will be thoroughly examined.
You will receive a formal diagnosis, treatment and exercise plan, and if desired an optional 3D digitally casted bespoke orthotic to sit discreetly within your shoes, changing the way your foot interacts with the ground, improving and preventing a range of conditions.
How to you treat Verrucae?
We use a non-invasive Zinc compound called Verrutop to dehydrate the verruca or wart – hands can be treated too. This is the most successful topical treatment currently available with a 90% success rate after 6 treatments.
We are also excited to soon be introducing a cutting-edge laser treatment for verrucae and warts in our clinics, to be made available soon in 2025.… watch this space!
My heels are hard and cracked, what can you do to help?
We will remove any hard skin from your heels, glue any cracks with an effective medical adhesive and then buff your heels with a gentle foot file, before enveloping your feet in a luxurious natural foot balm from InLight for a perfectly smooth, soft finish.
We will also provide you with detailed advice and guidance to prevent the cracked heels from coming back.
I’m embarrassed about my feet – will I be judged?
There is no need for embarrassment – we are here to help! Sole Revival Podiatry is here to solve your foot problems, taking you from embarrassment and pain to comfort and pride.
We are proud to have successfully treated a vast array of foot complaints all over the country, and with over 30 years of experience there is very little we won’t have already seen before.
Whatever your foot complaint, Sole Revival Podiatry aims to have you dancing footloose and care-free long into the future.
I have a fungal infection in my nails, what treatments do you offer?
Superficial fungal infections are very common, as they flourish beneath nail varnish. During your appointment, your Sole Revival Podiatry clinician will assess the health of your nails and treat them according to your individual needs.
Often thickened nails can look similar to fungal infections, and can be drilled to normal depth, restoring the normal look of the nail. If there is an infection, it’s often possible for this to be fully removed during your appointment.
However, if the infection is more advanced, we can use a range of techniques including topical medications to treat the fungal infection as well as helping you to clear the fungal infection from your environment.