Boot Fitting to Podiatrist

[ICary]

*i think this is the correct thread, if not please correct me.*

So, I have spent the last 3 years working at my local shop. I started off doing little stuff here and there and have grown to watch one of our boot fitters (20+) years and shadow him and do some stuff. Last year was my first real year doing it alone with help here and there and I have grown to awkwardly like the foot. I'm currently going to be a sophomore in college and I'm studying Film, but my university (Temple) offers a Podiatrist School after pre-health. I'm not saying I want to become a doctor and fit ski boots forever. But just looking for opinions of anyone has gone to school for it or is or has been in a similar situation. I don't mind the feet, I like helping people and love the fact that i could do anything from the ankle down such as sports, health issues and what not. It also seems that feet issues are more and more common and a job after school seems in high demand.

Thoughts? Thanks. Again sorry if in wrong spot.

 

[tomPietrowski]

Do it! I wish I had a podietry qualification. The guy I learnt from is one of the best fitters in the world and he is a fully qualified podiatrist. I truly believe you can not be a good fitter without having the medical knowledge. Some of my favourite fits are those where you have to first diagnose an issue and then come up with a way to still allow the customer to ski in comfort. So yeah do it the world needs more good boot fitters.

 

[CHORIZO]

I love feet

let me stand on your face

 

[onenerdykid]

Do it! I wish I had a podietry qualification. The guy I learnt from is one of the best fitters in the world and he is a fully qualified podiatrist. I truly believe you can not be a good fitter without having the medical knowledge. Some of my favourite fits are those where you have to first diagnose an issue and then come up with a way to still allow the customer to ski in comfort. So yeah do it the world needs more good boot fitters.

Definitely true that some of the best boot-fitters are pedorthists/podiatrists, but it is not a necessary qualification. But like Tom says, it is without a doubt helpful for boot-fitters to have some medical knowledge. If you were thinking of making a career out of it, it is for sure a good path to go down. It's not necessary in my opinion but it does give you a lot more knowledge and credibility, the latter aspect is definitely helpful for the quickly building a trusting customer base.

 

[californiagrown]

A podiatrist is not a doctor. That is all.

 

[shin-bang]

A podiatrist is not a doctor. That is all.

YOURE NOT A DOCTOR

 

[onenerdykid]

A podiatrist is not a doctor. That is all.

True, but normal boot-fitters are only allowed to make "accommodative" devices/footbeds. Pedorthists/podiatrists are legally allowed to make accommodative and corrective devices/footbeds, the latter are not allowed to be made by normal boot-fitters.

So, they are able (in theory) to do more and build more footbed options for their customers.

 

[tomPietrowski]

True, but normal boot-fitters are only allowed to make "accommodative" devices/footbeds. Pedorthists/podiatrists are legally allowed to make accommodative and corrective devices/footbeds, the latter are not allowed to be made by normal boot-fitters.

So, they are able (in theory) to do more and build more footbed options for their customers.

Exactly. So many people have foot issues and if all you can do is surport the foot in it's current position there is little you can hope to do in improving the fit. if you can advise and even help correct problems your offering somthin whic most boot fitters won't touch.

 

[californiagrown]

True, but normal boot-fitters are only allowed to make "accommodative" devices/footbeds. Pedorthists/podiatrists are legally allowed to make accommodative and corrective devices/footbeds, the latter are not allowed to be made by normal boot-fitters.

So, they are able (in theory) to do more and build more footbed options for their customers.

Exactly. So many people have foot issues and if all you can do is surport the foot in it's current position there is little you can hope to do in improving the fit. if you can advise and even help correct problems your offering somthin whic most boot fitters won't touch.

I was simply correcting the op. A podiatrist is not a doctor.

 

[CashmereCat]

YOURE NOT A DOCTOR

YOU'RE NOT MY SUPERVISOR!

 

[ICary]

Do it! I wish I had a podietry qualification. The guy I learnt from is one of the best fitters in the world and he is a fully qualified podiatrist. I truly believe you can not be a good fitter without having the medical knowledge. Some of my favourite fits are those where you have to first diagnose an issue and then come up with a way to still allow the customer to ski in comfort. So yeah do it the world needs more good boot fitters.

I'm greatly thinking of doing it! From reading about it the past few days its a booing industry and deeply in need. Theres also so many paths that I could choose once I am finished! Plus being able to help customers throughout the career with boot fitting would be a huge plus!

Thanks for your opinion!

Definitely true that some of the best boot-fitters are pedorthists/podiatrists, but it is not a necessary qualification. But like Tom says, it is without a doubt helpful for boot-fitters to have some medical knowledge. If you were thinking of making a career out of it, it is for sure a good path to go down. It's not necessary in my opinion but it does give you a lot more knowledge and credibility, the latter aspect is definitely helpful for the quickly building a trusting customer base.

I wouldn't choose it as a career for boot fitting but as you said it would be a plus! Thanks for the input! Appreciate it a lot!

A podiatrist is not a doctor. That is all.

Couldn't I technically become a Doctor of Podiatry if I went through all the schooling and paths?

Exactly. So many people have foot issues and if all you can do is surport the foot in it's current position there is little you can hope to do in improving the fit. if you can advise and even help correct problems your offering somthin whic most boot fitters won't touch.

Great point and you're 100% correct! Thanks!

 

[californiagrown]

Couldn't I technically become a Doctor of Podiatry if I went through all the schooling and paths?

Sure. But then you would be a doctor AND a podiatrist.

Kinda like how a construction foreman can be civil engineer, but that is because he went to school for and took all the applicable tests to become a proffessional engineer.

If ya dont earn the title, dont use it.

 

[shr@gler]

True, but normal boot-fitters are only allowed to make "accommodative" devices/footbeds. Pedorthists/podiatrists are legally allowed to make accommodative and corrective devices/footbeds, the latter are not allowed to be made by normal boot-fitters.

So, they are able (in theory) to do more and build more footbed options for their customers.

So a regular bootfitter legally can't correct a skiers stance to neutral with their custom footbeds? Do you have any more details on this law?

 

[S.J.W]

So a regular bootfitter legally can't correct a skiers stance to neutral with their custom footbeds? Do you have any more details on this law?

I think a footbed made by a bootfitter only places your foot with a better fit in the boot. Where as a footbed made by a podatrist will change the stance of your foot over time. I forgot the word but you know those things you put in your shoe to make your stance more neutral over time?

 

[shr@gler]

I think a footbed made by a bootfitter only places your foot with a better fit in the boot. Where as a footbed made by a podatrist will change the stance of your foot over time. I forgot the word but you know those things you put in your shoe to make your stance more neutral over time?

Yeah man, orthotics.

I may have misinterpreted what onenerdykid was saying, but just havent heard of this law. It was sort of written like the footbed can only support the foot without correcting the foots position within the boot. But you may be right with your analysis. But would love to read more into what the "law" is.

 

[S.J.W]

Yeah man, orthotics.

I may have misinterpreted what onenerdykid was saying, but just havent heard of this law. It was sort of written like the footbed can only support the foot without correcting the foots position within the boot. But you may be right with your analysis. But would love to read more into what the "law" is.

Yeah I think the law would more be along the lines of you can't correct a persons foot with orhotics unless you are a licensed podiatrist. Same way you can't practice anything medical related without the proper training and licensing.

 

[onenerdykid]

Yeah man, orthotics.

I may have misinterpreted what onenerdykid was saying, but just havent heard of this law. It was sort of written like the footbed can only support the foot without correcting the foots position within the boot. But you may be right with your analysis. But would love to read more into what the "law" is.

Yeah I think the law would more be along the lines of you can't correct a persons foot with orhotics unless you are a licensed podiatrist. Same way you can't practice anything medical related without the proper training and licensing.

An accommodative footbed is like a normal Superfeet or Sidas custom footbed that works with the foot's natural structure.

A corrective footbed is one that seeks to literally correct and change the structure of the foot.

Doing the later constitutes "practicing medicine" and if you are not a licensed pedorthist or podiatrist you can get in trouble for practicing medicine without a license.

 

[ICary]

Bump, because I am not too happy making films and in my film classes at school, but when I am at work in the shop helping people with boot fitting I am happy, and not stressed. Also because I want to stab my prof, and want to read some more input from the many minds of newschoolers. Lastly because I can really see myself doing something along the lines of health. Through some info at me!!

 

[DBack1321]

Bump, because I am not too happy making films and in my film classes at school, but when I am at work in the shop helping people with boot fitting I am happy, and not stressed. Also because I want to stab my prof, and want to read some more input from the many minds of newschoolers. Lastly because I can really see myself doing something along the lines of health. Through some info at me!!

I think you pretty much made up your mind dude haha. Do what makes you happy.

 

[gapersarefriends]

Bump, because I am not too happy making films and in my film classes at school, but when I am at work in the shop helping people with boot fitting I am happy, and not stressed. Also because I want to stab my prof, and want to read some more input from the many minds of newschoolers. Lastly because I can really see myself doing something along the lines of health. Through some info at me!!

sounds like you really want this my dude, go for it don't let your dreams be dreams