The Comprehensive Resources on Foot Pain, Foot Pain Treatment and Foot Care

In the United States, the term “Chiropodist” is an old term that was used to define a person who treats the foot.  The term is still used in the British Isles and some countries in the European Union; also in Australia and New Zealand.  In the United States, the term “Chiropodist” has been replaced with “Podiatrist” many years ago.

The word Chiropodist originated from a term referring to hands and feet.  At some time in past years that may have been true, but in recent times a Chiropodist only treated foot problems.

The Chiropodist degree has not been awarded by Medical schools in the United States for quite some time.   Chiropodists were generally trained in non-surgical treatment of the foot.  A Podiatrist, however, is trained in both medical and surgical treatment of the foot, ankle, and lower leg and is recognized as a Physician and Surgeon of the Foot.  The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, or D.P.M., is the commonly recognized designation for a Physician treating foot and ankle pathology.