PODIATRIST NICOLE Hocking will spend next week sharing her stories of helping people have good foot health.
Based at Dingee Bush Nursing Centre, Nicole will be one of the local faces in communities across Australia for Podiatry Week.
She said the national association’s theme for 2024 was Podiatry: More Than You Think.
Nicole said Podiatry Week was an important opportunity to educate the community on the vital role played by podiatrists.
“In my clinic I see an array of patients with varying needs, from farmers looking for solutions to make their shoes more comfortable to elderly people needed more support, to parents wanting to check their child’s development,” Nicole said.
“I love the diversity of clients I see and the ability to make a real impact to their lives by supporting their most important asset - their feet. Feet are essential to our daily life, something not always realised until something goes wrong. It’s important not to wait when it comes to caring for our feet, ankles and legs, as seeking professional advice early can significantly improve patient outcomes.” 
Nicole said the work of podiatrists can have an immediate and positive impact on patients’ lives.
“As healthcare professionals, we address pain, infections, injuries as well as monitoring developmental milestones in kids, improving mobility, blood flow and more,” said Nicole. “Podiatrists fully understand the structure and movement of the foot and lower limbs. 
They assess, diagnose and manage a vast range of foot pathology which is often related to diseases affecting the whole body, such as diabetes. “Many health problems can affect the feet, so podiatrists are often the first health practitioners to identify a problem,” said Nicole this week.
Podiatrist Week runs from October 14 to 20.