A patient often asks me if they should visit a Therapeutic Reflexologist or a Podiatrist to deal with their feet. In today’s post, we’ll consider these two totally different professions.
Similarities
There are similarities between Podiatry and Therapeutic Reflexology; both professions work on your feet and both professions are professionally registered, recognised and regulated professions in South Africa.
Podiatrists, as well as Therapeutic Reflexologists, may apply for practice numbers from the same institution, making reimbursement from medical aids possible for both professions; depending on the scheme and option/plan the patient is on.
Visiting a Podiatrist or a Therapeutic Reflexologist will result in you consulting with a professional healthcare provider in South Africa that works with feet, but more than that, it is totally different professions in many instances. It is worth the read to understand these differences in order to make the correct decision of whom to visit.
Differences
Podiatrists are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) alongside other professionals like medical doctors, physiotherapists, dentists and so on. The HPCSA professionally regulated the profession of Podiatry according to South African legislation. Therapeutic Reflexologists are registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) alongside professionals like chiropractors, homeopaths, naturopaths and so on. The AHPCSA professionally regulates the profession of Therapeutic Reflexology (and soon also the profession of Reflexology; all forms of reflexology) according to South African legislation.
Podiatry is a diagnostic profession, meaning that Podiatrists may diagnose a foot and foot-related problem in a patient and then treat the problem accordingly. Therapeutic Reflexologists are therapists that are non-diagnostic in nature, thus they are not allowed to make any form of diagnosis, but may provide therapy for previously diagnosed conditions.
Training for Podiatry is usually a four-year degree programme offered at the University of Johannesburg leading to the graduation with a Bachelors degree in Podiatry. Training for Therapeutic Reflexology is usually a two-year diploma programme offered at the International Academy of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy (IARAMT), Camelot International or Potchefstroom Academy leading to the graduation with a Diploma in Therapeutic Reflexology.
Podiatrists work on your feet and foot-related problems like corns, calluses, fungus toenails, gait, step and so forth. To have such problems addressed by for example cutting out a corn or toenail is the work of the Podiatrist. The Podiatrist will deal with the actual problems on your feet, will conduct limited surgical procedures on your feet and may also prescribe certain medication and products like creams, solutions, and insteps. Depending on training, the Podiatrist may also provide you with specific shoes to wear to rectify posture or stepping.
Therapeutic Reflexologists also work on your feet, but not on specific foot-related problems like corns and callouses. Instead, the Therapeutic Reflexologist may see a corn or callus and other such signs on the feet as indications of underlying stress in the body. The Therapeutic Reflexologist then works on the reflexes (or nerve endings) on the feet. Therapeutic Reflexology is, therefore, a non-invasive therapy as the therapist will provide pressure on the nerve endings in order to relax the body and attempt to get your body in an optimal state in order for the body to heal itself or at least attempt to balance itself.
Podiatrists work on foot problems while Therapeutic Reflexologists work on the nerve endings in the feet. Podiatrist resolves foot problems through procedures, medication, and products while the Therapeutic Reflexologist encourages stress relief in the body through pressure point and therapeutic touch therapy on the feet.
Referral
Therapeutic Reflexologists may not diagnose so if a patient wants a condition on their feet diagnosed, the Therapeutic Reflexologist may refer such patient to a Podiatrist or a Medical Doctor. As Therapeutic Reflexologists are registered healthcare providers in South Africa, they are part of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team and therefore able to refer to the relevant practitioners when needed.
When to choose Therapeutic Reflexology
Therapeutic Reflexology is the profession of choice for you if you want to relax and give your body the opportunity to have its own innate healing ability activated in an attempt for the body to heal or balance itself.
If you are highly stressed, a regular Therapeutic Reflexology session may help you to effectively deal with the stress by not only reducing the stress and calming your mind and body but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle in an attempt to act as a preventative healthcare modality. Stress is the known cause of about 85% of known illness conditions and stress usually worsens conditions when it is not caused by stress, just think about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
If you are unsure whom to consult, you are welcome to visit a Therapeutic Reflexologist and if a condition is outside their Scope of Practice, a referral will be made to the relevant healthcare practitioner.
You can visit Therapeutic Reflexologists with a peace of mind as your best interest will always be the priority of this healthcare professional.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude) [IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243