Aging Population Contributes To Increased Need For Podiatry Services
The podiatry industry is growing as an aging population and related factors fuel an increased need for foot care services. These are some future trends in podiatry along with resources that can help seniors take better care of their feet.
A recent article in Insurance News Net describes continued growth in the podiatry industry due to demographic trends and increasing rates of diabetes and other conditions that require specialized foot care. Analysts found that 2012 revenue has grown 1.5% from 2011 and is expected to reach $4.7 billion for an annual total. Further increases are expected in 2014 as more people acquire health insurance as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed in 2010.
The practice of podiatry is also undergoing significant changes. As of now, most podiatrists are still solo practitioners, but they are increasingly joining larger group practices. This is expected to help manage rising costs and lead to more patients receiving care from podiatrists rather than their primary care provider for foot ailments.
If you’re a senior with sore feet, there are many surgical and non-surgical options to correct common problems and help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. The National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, provides free information on preventive care and treatment. Their recommendations include wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly and getting your feet checked regularly. Talk with your doctor about tingling or numbness that could be signs of diabetes, or swelling that could indicate heart disease. Pain is often caused by treatable foot disorders and does not have to be accepted as a normal part of aging.
For more information on how to keep your feet comfortable and healthy as you grow older and to find a podiatrist for you, contact us.
Bunion Development and Treatment
Photo courtesy of Texas podiatrist, Dr. Max Ribald.
The actual scientific cause of bunion formation is completely unknown to the medical community. However, documentation suggests that people can be genetically predisposed to develop this uncomfortable condition. Bunions also tend to develop more frequently on women who wear tight fitting shoes or high heels. Ballet dancers often struggle with this inconvenient foot condition.
Unfortunately, many people are not aware of bunion development during the actual process because there are often no symptoms present at all. Sometimes, an affected individual will experience varying levels of foot pain when walking or wearing shoes. Swelling, redness, and a constant increase in pain often accompany advanced bunion development. Ultimately, the only way to have this presence of this condition confirmed with a diagnosis is to visit an experienced podiatrist and receive a professional examination.
There are many different treatment options for bunions. Simply resting your feet and wearing wider shoes will often alleviate much of the pain associated with this condition. Anti-inflammatory medications can be taken to reduce swelling and levels of pain. Cortisone injections and surgical intervention can be necessary medical measures to relieve the more extreme cases.
If you currently struggle with bunions and you want to find a local podiatrist to help you with this potentially serious foot condition, please don’t hesitate to contact PodiatristProfiles.com today.
Finding a Local Podiatrist with an Online Directory
Are you struggling with a some sort of foot or ankle health related problem and looking for an experienced local podiatrist to help you with this condition? Perhaps you’re new to the area, or just recently noticed your symptoms. If you are similar to many, you have probably begun to ask around and may have even resorted to the convenient power of the Internet to help you find a professional podiatrist to treat and manage your health condition. Completing a basic search on any one of the major engines will be certain to produce a seemingly countless number of website directories offering to provide you with the contact information of local podiatrists. However, it’s important to keep in mind that each different directory varies greatly in terms of ease of use, extent of selection, and quality of information.
Unfortunately, it is all too common for people to access a directory in search of a local podiatrist only to find contact information for these professionals that is completely inaccurate, or hasn’t been updated in years. Logically, these websites are virtually useless to the visitor when there is no way to effectively contact the podiatrists included in the directory. Unfortunately, it’s common for people to invest a significant amount of time trying to search through these bodies of information only to find a few podiatrists they can even reach.
Any reliable and reputable online directory will provide you with frequently updated and accurate contact information for each podiatrist listed on the website. Some directories also feature a podiatrist rating system and previous patient experiences. Reviewing this valuable information will help you feel more confident in selecting a podiatrist that’s right for you. After your appointment, you can always revisit various directories and rate the podiatrist based on your personal experience with the doctor and also write your very own review. The most advanced directories will even include exclusive information about free initial consultations and other special offers from individual podiatrists.
To learn more about the most reliable and accurate directory available to find the best local podiatrist in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact PodiatristProfiles.com today.
Consider Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus
A toenail fungus infection can quickly develop once an organism known as a Dermatophyte begins to feed on the keratin and protein stores contained within your nail. This fungus can rapidly drain these vital substances from your toenail, causing the painful and unsightly symptoms associated with this serious medical disorder. Unfortunately, the condition is very challenging to successfully treat, as repeat infections are common. Continually struggling with toenail fungus infections can very often lead to discoloration, disfiguration, and eventual destruction of the entire nail.
If you currently suffer from this disease, you’re probably all too familiar with the medications commonly prescribed to treat it. Although these drugs can provide very effective results and relief from this debilitating condition, there are certainly serious side effects strongly associated with these treatment regimens. Many podiatrists will often prescribe an oral medication, such as Lamisil or Sporanox to combat toenail fungal infections. Unfortunately, these drugs often cause many minor side effects, can lead to severe liver damage, and even be life threatening.
Alternative treatments for these fungal infections are available to those suffering with the condition. Many people aren’t aware that a laser can be effectively used to alleviate the symptoms of this disorder, and the number of podiatrists offering laser treatment for toenail fungus is increasing. This option is certainly one to explore and consider if you don’t want to struggle with the serious side effects of medication.
Scientific research studies have revealed that the laser inhibits overall fungal growth and provides the patient’s body with an opportunity to heal itself. Using a laser to combat toenail fungal infection has been reported to be effective in over 80% of patients who have tried it. A typical treatment session lasts anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes in duration. A patient may be required to go through 2 to 4 laser sessions, depending on how severe the infection is.
If you have made the educated decision to get laser treatment for toenail fungus infection, please don’t hesitate to contact us at PodiatristProfiles.com to find a local podiatrist offering this cutting edge service.
Call Tracking & Recording
Phone Call Tracking & Recording is common place in today’s advertisting world…especially when it comes to Internet Marketing. With so many websites out there that publish business data and offer advertising options, it’s important for a business owner to be able to trace the origin of each phone call & determine if their valuable marketing dollars are being well spent.
Like any service, phone call tracking has its pros & cons:
- PRO – From the standpoint of any marketing firm, call tracking service is a great service to offer because it helps to paint a more accurate picture of the results they are generating for clients. It can provide solid statistics that can be reviewed by both the firm and the client to answer common concerns like – “I don’t think I’m getting any business from this ad”… or … “I’m not sure if this advertisement is working”.
- PRO – From the standpoint of the client, call tracking service is great because it allows them to have a MUCH better idea of exactly how much business is being generated from the money they are spending. Most modern call tracking services allow the client access to an admin panel where they have 24/7 access to reviews reports, listen to recordings, and analyze ROI. This data is also useful for the client to have in order to make an informed decision when renewal time comes around for their ad.
- CON – It’s not the ACTUAL business phone number being published on the ads. Some businesses are very “attached” to their phone numbers, whether they’ve had the number a LONG time or it’s a vanity number, etc. They have concerns about existing clients becoming confused by seeing a different number for the business. Here is something to keep in mind – Most marketing programs focus on generating/attracting NEW prospective clients for a business. These clients have no concern about what phone number they are dialing as long as they can connect with the business and get the services they are looking for. Once that prospect converts into an actual client then the business should take the steps to provide the client with their actual contact information for future use (ie. Business Card, follow up post card).
- PRO – The recordings of the calls provide the business owner with valuable insight into how their staff is handling new prospects calling for the 1st time. Remember – This is the 1st impression the prospect is going to have of your business before possibly meeting you in person. Is the phone being answered in a timely fashion? Is staff being friendly and helpful? Are they asking the right questions to convert that prospect into a client? Are they referring clients to your business website? This insight can lead to staff training opportunities and sometimes even a total reshaping of a business.
- CON – If you stop the advertisement any clients who happened to have saved the tracking number will have trouble contacting you in the future. Again, hopefully the proper steps are being taken once the client is established to provide them with sufficient information on how to contact your business in the future (ie. Business Card, Website, Email Address)
The bottom line on call tracking is that it serves a necessary purpose and adds value to any marketing program.
PodiatristProfiles.com offers a variety of Podiatry Marketing programs, many of which include call tracking and recording services. Call 1-866-995-FEET (3338) today to learn more.