What does a podiatrist treat?

Podiatrists assess and treat conditions of the feet, ankles and lower limbs across four broad areas. Skin and nail care covers ingrown toenails, fungal nail and skin infections, corns, calluses, warts and cracked heels. Musculoskeletal conditions include heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, forefoot pain, arthritis-related foot problems and sports injuries. Biomechanical work addresses how the feet and legs function, treating issues such as flat feet, abnormal walking patterns and pain in the knees, hips or lower back that traces to foot mechanics. The fourth area is high-risk foot care, principally for people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or reduced sensation, where regular monitoring prevents small problems becoming serious ones. Podiatrists also perform minor procedures, including ingrown toenail surgery under local anaesthetic, prescribe orthotics and advise on footwear. In Australia, podiatrists are AHPRA-registered health professionals, and no referral is needed to see one privately.

Why is foot care so important for diabetics?

Diabetes can affect feet through two mechanisms that compound each other. High blood glucose over time can damage the nerves in the feet, reducing the ability to feel pain, heat or injury, and it can narrow blood vessels, reducing the circulation needed for healing. Together, this means a person with diabetes may not notice a cut, blister or pressure area, and once noticed, it may heal slowly and become vulnerable to infection. Foot ulcers and serious complications typically begin as exactly these minor, unnoticed problems. Regular podiatry care interrupts that sequence. Annual foot assessments, or more frequent reviews for higher-risk feet, check sensation, circulation and skin condition, catch problems early and keep nails and skin professionally managed rather than self-treated, which carries real risk when sensation is reduced. Daily self-checks, well-fitted footwear and never ignoring wounds complete the picture. For people with diabetes, podiatry is preventative medicine in the most literal sense, and Medicare care plan arrangements commonly fund it for this reason.

Only an assessment can answer that, and the honest answer for many people is no. Orthotics are shoe inserts designed to alter how forces move through your feet and legs, and they're genuinely useful for specific conditions where mechanics contribute to symptoms, such as some cases of plantar fasciitis, flat feet with associated pain and certain recurring injuries. They're not a universal remedy, and symptom-free feet with unusual arches generally need no correction at all. A proper orthotics decision follows gait assessment, consideration of your symptoms, footwear and activity and usually a trial of simpler measures first, including exercise programs and footwear changes, which resolve many problems on their own. Where orthotics are indicated, options range from quality prefabricated devices to custom-made prescriptions, with the right choice depending on your feet and condition rather than defaulting to the most expensive option. A podiatrist should explain specifically why an orthotic would help your situation before recommending one, and it's reasonable to ask.

Podiatry Taree | HealthHub Taree

Foot problems affect far more than feet, altering how you walk, exercise and get through the day. At HealthHub Taree, our podiatrist provides assessment and treatment for patients in Taree, covering foot, ankle and lower limb concerns from everyday nail and skin problems through to biomechanical issues, heel pain and the specialised foot care that diabetes requires.

Podiatry serves every age and activity level. Children's development, sports injuries, workplace foot health and the changes that come with older age all fall within scope, and treatment ranges from immediate relief for painful conditions to longer-term correction of the mechanics behind recurring problems.

Being located within a general practice keeps podiatry connected to your wider health, which matters most for conditions like diabetes where foot care and medical care belong together. Eligible patients may access Medicare rebates through a care plan prepared by their GP. Call (02) 6552 5533 to book a podiatry appointment at our Taree practice.

What does a podiatrist treat?
Podiatrists assess and treat conditions of the feet, ankles and lower limbs across four broad areas. Skin and nail care covers ingrown toenails, fungal nail and skin infections, corns, calluses, warts and cracked heels. Musculoskeletal conditions include heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, forefoot pain, arthritis-related foot problems and sports injuries. Biomechanical work addresses how the feet and legs function, treating issues such as flat feet, abnormal walking patterns and pain in the knees, hips or lower back that traces to foot mechanics.

The fourth area is high-risk foot care, principally for people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or reduced sensation, where regular monitoring prevents small problems becoming serious ones. Podiatrists also perform minor procedures, including ingrown toenail surgery under local anaesthetic, prescribe orthotics and advise on footwear. In Australia, podiatrists are AHPRA-registered health professionals, and no referral is needed to see one privately.
Why is foot care so important for diabetics?
Diabetes can affect feet through two mechanisms that compound each other. High blood glucose over time can damage the nerves in the feet, reducing the ability to feel pain, heat or injury, and it can narrow blood vessels, reducing the circulation needed for healing. Together, this means a person with diabetes may not notice a cut, blister or pressure area, and once noticed, it may heal slowly and become vulnerable to infection. Foot ulcers and serious complications typically begin as exactly these minor, unnoticed problems.

Regular podiatry care interrupts that sequence. Annual foot assessments, or more frequent reviews for higher-risk feet, check sensation, circulation and skin condition, catch problems early and keep nails and skin professionally managed rather than self-treated, which carries real risk when sensation is reduced. Daily self-checks, well-fitted footwear and never ignoring wounds complete the picture. For people with diabetes, podiatry is preventative medicine in the most literal sense, and Medicare care plan arrangements commonly fund it for this reason.
Do I need orthotics?
Only an assessment can answer that, and the honest answer for many people is no. Orthotics are shoe inserts designed to alter how forces move through your feet and legs, and they're genuinely useful for specific conditions where mechanics contribute to symptoms, such as some cases of plantar fasciitis, flat feet with associated pain and certain recurring injuries. They're not a universal remedy, and symptom-free feet with unusual arches generally need no correction at all.

A proper orthotics decision follows gait assessment, consideration of your symptoms, footwear and activity and usually a trial of simpler measures first, including exercise programs and footwear changes, which resolve many problems on their own. Where orthotics are indicated, options range from quality prefabricated devices to custom-made prescriptions, with the right choice depending on your feet and condition rather than defaulting to the most expensive option. A podiatrist should explain specifically why an orthotic would help your situation before recommending one, and it's reasonable to ask.

Skin and nail problems bring in many patients, including ingrown toenails, fungal infections, corns, calluses and plantar warts, all of which respond to professional treatment far better than repeated home remedies. Heel and arch pain is another frequent presentation, with plantar fasciitis among the most common conditions treated, alongside Achilles problems and general foot fatigue.

Biomechanical concerns cover the way your feet and legs function during walking and running. Flat feet, high arches, recurring ankle sprains, shin pain and knee or hip discomfort linked to foot mechanics are assessed through gait analysis, with treatment that may include exercise programs, footwear advice and orthotics where genuinely indicated rather than as a default.

Diabetic foot care deserves specific mention, as diabetes can reduce circulation and sensation in the feet, making minor problems escalate quickly. Regular podiatry assessment checks circulation, nerve function and skin integrity, forming part of the structured annual care that protects long-term foot health for people living with diabetes.

Jon is a podiatrist with eight years of clinical experience providing comprehensive foot and ankle care across all aspects of podiatry.

He enjoys helping patients with everyday nail and foot care, as well as managing more complex or persistent issues such as heel pain and Achilles tendinopathy. Jon takes particular interest in identifying the underlying factors contributing to pain or injury and developing practical, individualised treatment plans that fit into a patient’s daily life.

As a runner himself, he understands how frustrating it can be to miss out on sport or activity due to injury and aims to keep people participating wherever possible. His approach combines evidence-based practice with clinical experience, delivered in a gentle, approachable and understanding manner.

Originally from the Central Coast, Jon has holidayed in the Manning region for many years and has been based in Harrington for the past 18 months. He enjoys being part of the local community and building long-term relationships with patients and families. Outside of work, he enjoys running, surfing, hiking, gardening and camping with his wife and young son

If you would like to enquire about an appointment with Jon, please contact him on 0468 381 170.

Manning Valley Podiatry

Podiatry Taree

Foot & Lower Limb Care

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a podiatrist treat?

Why is foot care so important for diabetics?

Do I need orthotics?

Common Reasons to See a Podiatrist

Jon Churchward

Manning Valley Podiatry | Podiatrist

BPod (Newcastle)

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