Providing Podiatry Treatment  for Adults and Minors 

The quality of our feet determines the quality of our lives.

Heather Watson-Ross is the founder of Ochils Podiatry. Heather is a fully qualified and registered Podiatrist. She obtained her BSc Honours Degree at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 2014. "Being a podiatrist, is a career that has given me a passion for improving the quality of life for those who are suffering from a foot related problem. It is a career that is constantly evolving and I am continuously updating, learning and developing clinical knowledge and skills". Heather enjoys all aspects of routine podiatry and nail surgery and has a keen interested in Diabetes, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal conditions.

Heather obtained her Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration in 2013, after completing her 3rd year. The HCPC regulates all sixteen Allied Health Professionals and as a podiatrist she is bound to keep her clinical knowledge and clinical skills up to date with Continual Professional Development (CPD). Heather is a member and fully insured with The College of Podiatry, the UK’s largest podiatry and chiropody professional body and she is also a committee member of the Tayside branch. 

In 2013, Heather started her podiatry career working in a private practice in Dunfermline, as an Associate Podiatrist. During her career Heather has worked mostly in private practice however, she has also worked in Dundee for NHS Tayside. Prior to becoming a podiatrist Heather worked in Private Practice for 7 years as a Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist in Edinburgh. After the birth of her daughter, in 2008, Heather decided to return to full time education as a mature student to embark on a degree to combine her anatomy and physiology knowledge and skills as a Sports Therapist, applying that to the anatomy and function of the foot and ankle.

The Ochils Podiatry Approach

Mindfulness

Heather takes a holistic approach to her assessments so it's not just all about the feet! Assessing the foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, neck and head can give us a real indication as to how the body is moving and functioning. By combining the patients personal activity levels, occupation and medication Heather gathers a detailed history of the presenting problem in order to establish the possible causes of why the complaint has occurred. 

Being mindful of the patients wants, needs and expectations is highly important. It is crucial that Heather is open and honest about her scope of practice and gives clear information about the assessment, outcome and risks associated with all treatments.

Preparation

Some complaints may not be a quick fix, they may require a short or long term treatment plan, it really does depend on the presenting symptoms and their causes as this will determine whether we take a functional or a palliative approach or whether it is simply removing what is causing the problem. 

Through assessment we can then provide a realistic time frame of how long it will take to treat the complaint. Preparing and laying out the treatment plan may involve routine conservative management where you attend an appointment every 4, 6, 8, 12 weekly intervals to manage the persistent complaint.

Follow up

After each appointment, there is usually a follow up appointment until the complaint has reached a resolution. Continuity is highly important. Depending on the complaint, patient compliance may be needed to achieve the best long term outcome.  

Therefore, stretches and strengthening exercises may be required, footwear advice may be required and self help may form part of the follow up plan.

Helpful volunteering in stepping out for the wider community

Heather volunteers her clinical skills on one of the biggest, toughest walking/running charity events in the Scottish calendar. In aid of The Army's National Charity, ABF Soldiers Charity, The Cateran Yomp is a military term for a long-distance march and it takes place every June covering 54 miles in 24 hours across the rugged terrain of the Scottish wilderness through Perthshire, Angus and in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. Last year the 'Pod Squad' treated over 800 pairs of feet!

Every January Heather volunteers her clinical knowledge at the Scottish Country Dancing event, held at the Crieff Hydro, which is usually a fun day offering advice on highland dance footwear and foot health complaints, which usually involves plenty of padding!

Let's Talk

Need to talk in person? If you're unsure and just need to speak on a one-to-one, just call the link below.
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