You can benefit from podiatry if you suffer any of the following:
  • Flat feet
  • Chilblains
  • Corns and callus
  • Thick toenails
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Warts
  • Achilles pain
  • Shin splints
  • Heel pain (children and adults)
  • Bunions
  • General foot pain
  • Knee pain
  • Ankle pain
  • Children's 'growing pains'
  • Foot odour
  • Tinea (athletes foot)
  • Stress fractures
  • Sporting or occupational injuries
  • Tired and aching feet
  • Pigeon toes

A Bunion is a deformity that usually occurs at the joint of the big toe. The swelling or enlargement is on the inner side of the foot. Bunions may occasionally develop in the bone that joins the little toe to the foot.

Bunions usually develop gradually, but continuously, and shoes rubbing against the enlarged bone will cause pain. There may be swelling, redness and deep aching pain associated with the bunion joint.

Bunions often develop from wearing narrow, high heeled shoes with pointed toes, which puts enormous pressure on the front of the foot and causes the foot and toes to rest at unnatural angles. Injury in the joint may also cause a bunion to develop over time.
Flat feet, gout and arthritis increase the risk for bunions. Genetics play a factor in 10% to 15% of all bunion problems.

Your Podiatrist can help prevent or reduce problem suffered by bunions by advising the use of correct footwear and shoe inserts "orthoses" to give the foot optimum support and allow for correct foot alignment when walking. More Information


A corn is the thickening of the outer layer of skin. This is usually the result of pressure. Poor or ill-fitting footwear and ill-shaped feet and toes are the major causes. A corn is not a living tissue or infection. Your Podiatrist can often painlessly remove these lesions and help to remove the pressure that has caused this problem by using padding, Silipos toe sleeves, shoe inserts and footwear modifications. In extreme cases surgical intervention is required to correct any structural abnormalities (eg. Hammertoes and bunions). Silipos devices can also be worn to relieve irritation.


In 1977 Chiropody changed to Podiatry, therefore Chiropody (pronounced Kir-opody), as a profession ceased to exist. Although the profession changed, Chiropodists at that time simply took on the name change, and in some cases did not further their education. Some such practitioners still practice as Podiatrists today.

However, since 1977, newly graduating Podiatrists complete a university degree Bachelor of Podiatry to become fully qualified health professionals who deal with the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs.

Gippsland Foot Clinic practitioners are registered with the state registration board and are all full members of the Australian Podiatry Association.