The Latin word chiropody literally means "hands and feet". In the 1800's chiropodists would sit on streets and offer callus debridement for miners.
Podiatry, more correctly, means the "study of feet". In the 60's when chiropody registration was simple, after a short course and or apprenticeship, a move to change the name and registration requirements was successful in Australia and New Zealand.
In England the name chiropody has been maintained although they did follow the rest of the world in lifting education and registration standards.
The hard v soft orthotic argument has been endured since physiotherapist and chiropractors gained access to quick fit, no responsibility pre-made orthotics in the 80's. A reasonable explanation is soft devices support joint movement of the foot yet loose their effectiveness very quickly whereas hard devices, when manufactured appropriately and fitted well stabilise foot joints, allow optimal foot motion and discourage compensation for angular lower limb deformities. In general "soft orthotics" provide a short term accommodation of the problems associated with poor foot function where "hard orthotics" appropriately designed and fitted deal with the underlying causes by correcting lower limb mechanics.
The first rule of nail cutting is never too short and don't cut down the sides. Each nail grows a white border at the end called a free edge. Generally this is curved and cutting should follow this free edge shape.
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