What is the difference between podology and podotherapy?

Training for registered podologists in the Netherlands has been raised to a higher level. Whereas in the past anyone could call themselves a podologist, this is no longer the case. Only a registered podologist affiliated with the LOOP foundation is reimbursed by health insurers.

The field focuses on treating and preventing complaints caused by incorrect alignment or function of the feet and/or toes. The registered podologist looks not only at the foot itself, but also at abnormalities of the entire musculoskeletal system resulting from foot problems: preventing, recognising and treating foot complaints and complaints higher up in the body caused by a deviation in the foot. The registered podologist also has specialist knowledge of (risks for) the growing child’s foot and of foot care for high-risk feet, such as with rheumatism and diabetes. The registered podologist is a paramedic who provides both preventive and curative foot care (source: LOOP foundation).

A registered podologist is trained at the Academy of Podology, is listed in the LOOP professional register and in the KABIZ quality register, keeps developing through continuing education and undergoes a quality audit. Training has also been raised to NLQF level: a registered podologist who has completed this mandatory upgrade may also treat people with diabetes and rheumatism. These treatments are often covered by Dutch basic health insurance.

In short: if you have foot complaints and/or knee, hip, back, neck or headache complaints, a registered podologist is the right place. If, in addition to foot complaints, you also need nail or wound care, a podotherapist is the right place.