Podiatry is a word that most people are not familiar with. However, what most people fail to realize is that podiatry is easily integrated into our daily lives. It is a field in medical practice that deals with improving an individual’s independence and mobility through the prevention as well as management of foot problems.
As for Dr. Schlomo Schmuel, owner of Sunset Foot Clinic, located in Los Angeles, he has been practicing podiatry for more than 20 years. His patients are typically based in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. Moreover, he provides a wide range of podiatric services.
Over the course of 20 years, he has developed certain habits and techniques when dealing with a number of problems experienced by different patients. This is no surprise because podiatrists tend to deal with the treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitation of feet, ankles, and lower leg conditions.
How did Dr. Schlomo Schmuel achieve this status?
Becoming a certified podiatrist entails that they acquire a bachelor’s degree in either biology, chemistry, or even a seemingly unrelated science like physics. One of the main differences between the education of a podiatrist and that of doctors is that podiatrists do not attend a general medical school, but rather one of the select few podiatric medical colleges.
They typically have their own school or professional association. Furthermore, instead of MD, which pertains to a medical doctor, podiatrists have the title DPM, which pertains to the doctor of podiatric medicine. Podiatrists work closely with a number of specialists in dealing with a number of foot issues or lower leg problems.
What most people fail to realize is that podiatry is a regulated and registered health profession. The daily routine of a podiatrist is somewhat similar to what medical practitioners are used to.
Daily Tasks of a Podiatrist
For Dr. Schmuel, he starts by understanding and studying the patient’s medical as well as injury history. After that, he also considers their occupation, lifestyle, footwear, and more before diagnosing the health of their feet.
When it comes to managing your foot problems, the treatment and approach of a particular podiatric service may differ. However, one thing is for sure, it will typically include a variety of physical therapies, application of a number of ointments, the use of several instruments, and lastly, the prescription of shoe inserts.
Dr. Schmuel also provides health education to patients and to those who are willing to learn about the proper way of caring for your feet and the safest way to avoid foot problems. Most of the time, the patients of a podiatrist are athletes, elderly, disabled people, and diabetics.
In a single day, Dr. Schmuel tends to encounter a number of conditions. Since podiatry deals with the improvement of your mobility as well as your independence through the prevention and management of various foot problems, podiatrists tend to treat various types of bone and joint disorders.
Dr. Schmuel also treats muscular problems as well as neurological or even circulatory diseases. Here are other common problems encountered by podiatrists on a daily basis:
- Shin splints
- Foot injuries
- Athlete’s foot
- Aching feet
- Cracked heels
- Heel spurs
- Ingrown toenails
- Thick toenails
- Blisters
- Calluses
- Corns
- Plantar warts
- Fungal problems
- Children’s foot problems
After properly identifying the problems experienced by the patient, the podiatrist proceeds to give them advice regarding the proper athletic footwear that may help with occupational health as well as safety issues.
There are some jobs that would most likely cause foot problems. Typically, these are the occupational jobs that require an individual to stand for long periods of time. With that in mind, Dr. Schmuel will carefully assess all possible options and advise the best form of treatment to heal a particular foot problem.
What does Dr. Schlomo Schmuel do during his spare time?
Of course, a medical career is only as excellent as the amount of passion the practitioner puts into their work. As for Dr. Schmuel, he is very fond and determined with how he handles each of his patient’s problems. He ensures that he gives it his all every chance he gets. Nevertheless, he is also a normal guy like most people.
When he is not in his office, he enjoys sailing and exercising. Sailing is a common hobby among professionals. The amount of patience and determination necessary in piloting a private watercraft can be associated with the type of work that a podiatrist handles in his daily work at the office.
On another note, Dr. Schmuel also loves to exercise and keep his body fit and healthy. As a podiatrist, he understands how the bones and muscles of our body work. With his knowledge of podiatric medicine, he can easily tell whether or not a particular exercise would be beneficial for a particular foot problem – or if it would cause further damage.
By the end of the day, Dr. Schmuel goes home to his family. Apart from having to help other people with their foot problems, this podiatrist takes the time to enjoy his evenings at home. One can tell that after a hard day at work, you should always recharge and spend time with the ones you love.
