... PROMOTING CHIROPODY WHILE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Pierre MANET created the NCI in 1928.
He was a visionary who dedicated his life to developing the profession through his institute which was already influential during his time. He was a pioneer.

Today, with the support of his colleagues at the Institute’s clinical research unit, Alain LAVIGNE has created a new treatment concept for the future using biomechanical plantar orthosis for functional diseases of the locomotor system.

Today for tomorrow, Alain LAVIGNE, surrounded by colleagues from the Institute's clinical research unit has created a new treatment concept by biomechanical plantar orthosis for functional diseases of the locomotor system.
This chiropodial orthopaedics specialisation training is provided as an option after the State Diploma is obtained. It adds a completely new dimension to the profession; that of treating many painful dysfunctions of the segments and joints of the lower limbs and spine via the foot, base of the body.

THE NCI AND MODERN CHIROPODY

Chiropodists are practitioners specialised in the study of foot conditions and their treatments. . In order to practice they must hold a State Diploma issued by the Ministry of Health after three years of theoretical and practical studies in school and in the form of professional hospital training.
Professional practice is defined by the law of April 30, 1946 and the decree of June 19, 1985.

Practically speaking, Chiropody is a health profession with two facets:

• Care-based Chiropody:
  Modern medical Chiropody.

• Chiropodial Orthopaedics:
  Plantar orthosis for the correction of foot imbalances and the treatment of painful foot diseases as well as underlying locomotor imbalances (knee, hip, spine, etc.).

Therefore, chiropodists, through their technical competences, are practitioners who carry out clinical exams, make diagnoses, then freely implement treatment in their offices without supervision on a daily basis.
These two complementary professional aspects procure a place for chiropodists on multidisciplinary medical-surgical teams.

The practice of modern chiropody is very close to dental surgery because in both disciplines the concern is:

• About treatment care.

• About corrective treatment with orthosis.

Today, this is the approach to Chiropody used by young NCI graduates. A definitive break has been made with the past, and the institute has a daily commitment to promoting the profession which has actually become the 4th medical profession with a limited scope of practice to have prescription rights, like midwives and dental surgeons.

Since it is essentially a liberal profession, chiropody authorises independence and affords the right to take direct responsibility and become master of one's professional future. It is a burgeoning profession in full development and early demographic expansion. The proof is in the figures, for example, there are 10,000 chiropodists for every 40,000 physiotherapists.