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Podology training. Podiatrist Dieter Baumann teaches medical pedicure





    Beginners and pedicure masters for:
  • free introductory seminars on the use of the PECLAVUS professional line in the methods of apparatus and classic pedicure (6 hours);
  • overview seminar "Foot mycoses and onychodystrophy"(disease of the nails and skin of the feet).

    Masters of pedicure and podologists for courses:
  • hardware and instrumental techniques for the treatment of calluses, cracks, hyperkeratosis, thickened, deformed and mycotic nails (2 days, 16 hours);
  • basic course "Orthonyxia" (2 days, 16 hours);
  • Gold Plate Golgstadtspange - a universal technique for correcting an ingrown nail (2 days, 16 hours);
  • NEW!!! New system for correction of ingrown nails ORTOGRIP professional (1 day, 8 hours);
  • small orthopedics; technique for manufacturing various types of individual correctors and orthoses using a two-component silicone mass Peclavus Ortonix (2 days, 16 hours).

The training center of the company is well equipped: modern equipment, tools, consumables, specialized literature. The training program is rich and relevant: from the basics of anatomy and physiology of the foot to sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations for the arrangement, equipment and maintenance of a pedicure room, from types of pedicure tools to sales techniques. Classes are conducted by a practitioner Panova Elena Olegovna– dermatologist of the highest category, mycologist, practicing podologist, who regularly improves his skills with the leading teachers of the German school of podology Helmut Ruck. The number of students in the group is no more than six people, so we can say that the training is close to individual. All methods and techniques must be practiced on models. For professionals with experience, the training center offers advanced training courses in orthonyxia, correction of ingrown nails and minor orthopedics.


    The program of the course "Hardware and instrumental techniques for the treatment of corns, cracks, hyperkeratosis, thickened, deformed and mycotic nails." 2 days, 16 hours.
  • The concept and causes of the most common podological problems.
  • The tactics of choosing tools and consumables for the treatment of various types of hyperkeratosis, calluses (including those in the lateral ridge) and cracks. Technique of work with a scalpel and rotating instruments. Schemes for the use of specialized preparations from the Peclavus cosmetic line and the principles for compiling individual care programs. Means of prevention and protection against squeezing and rubbing from the Peclavus SmartGel and Peclavus Silk series.
  • The tactics of choosing tools and consumables for the treatment of thickened, deformed, ingrown and mycotic nails. Technique of working with rotating tools. Schemes for the use of specialized preparations from the Peclavus cosmetic line and the principles for compiling individual care programs. Preventive measures and ways to protect the nail plates.

The cost of the course is 11,000 rubles.


    NEW!!! The program of the basic course "Orthonyxia". 2 days, 16 hours.
  • Day 1. Ingrown toenail. Definition of the concept, causes, complications, processing technique, methods of plugging and protection of the side roller. Sulci protectors. Review of modern methods of correction of ingrown nails. Indications, contraindications. Materials and tools for the manufacture of staples and plates. Basic principles and rules for their installation.
  • Day 2. Correction of nails with Onyclip plates and Gorkievich's bracket. Onyclip Insertion Methods. Indications for use. Required consumables and tools. Development of practical skills.

The cost of the course is 12,500 rubles.

Upon completion of the course, a certificate of the Faculty of Nail Technologies "STUDIO BEST" is issued.


    The program of the course "Golden Plate Goldstadtspange - a universal method for correcting an ingrown nail". 2 days, 16 hours.
  • Ingrown toenail, causes, complications, treatment technique, methods of tamponing and protection of the lateral nail, Sulci protectors. Review of modern methods of correction of ingrown nails.
  • Indications, contraindications, criteria for choosing technology.
  • Indications for the installation of "Goldstadtspange", its advantages.
  • Technique for manufacturing five different versions of the Goldstadtspange, depending on the clinical situation.

The cost of the course is 15,000 rubles.


    NEW!!! The program of the course "New system for the correction of ingrown nails ORTOGRIP professional". 1 day, 8 hours.
  • Concept definition.
  • Indications for use, contraindications.
  • Choice tactics.
  • Features, methods, technique, installation options for the ORTOGRIP correction system.
  • The advantages of this technique.
  • Practical development of skills.

The cost of the course is 10,000 rubles.

Date of study - I quarter of 2019.

At the end of the course, a certificate from the Helmut Rook School is issued.


    The program of the course "Small orthopedics". 2 days, 16 hours.
  • The main types of deformities of the feet and fingers.
  • Materials for the manufacture of correctors and orthoses, the main forms of these factory products.
  • Overview of the range of Peclavus and Peclavus Smart Gel factory correctors, arch supports and orthoses. The tactics of choosing sizes and shapes depending on the type and degree of deformation.
  • Characteristics of Peclavus Ortonix two-component silicone masses.
  • Tactics of choice of stiffness and form of orthosis depending on the clinical situation.
  • The technique of manufacturing individual orthoses of 3 degrees of rigidity using combined silicones from the Peclavus Ortonix series. Making interdigital correctors, on the heel, Hallux valgus, with hammer toe deformity.
  • Combined orthoses with individual stiffness, complex multi-layer orthoses with the use of dressings.
  • Calculation of the cost and examples of the formation of the cost of services.

The cost of the course is 11,000 rubles.

Date of training - by agreement.

Upon completion of the course, a certificate of the Faculty of Nail Technologies "STUDIO BEST" is issued.


    SEMINAR “Foot mycoses and onychodystrophy (disease of the nails and skin of the feet). Equipped with slides.

    1 BLOCK: Mycoses of the feet

  • The structure and functions of the skin.
  • Causes of damage to the skin of the feet.
  • Varieties of pathogens of mycoses, symptoms.
  • Classification of foot mycosis.
  • Onychomycosis.

    • BLOCK 2: Onychodystophy

  • Non-infectious nail pathologies (onycholysis, melanonychia, nail bed hyperkeratosis, chromonychia, grooves on the nails, onychoshisis, leukonychia, subungual nevi, nail atrophy, onychorrhexis, pterygium (eponychia pathology), onychogryphosis, etc.).
  • Symptoms, recommendations, limits of actions of a podiatrist.
  • Hardware and instrumental techniques for processing thickened, deformed and mycotic nails.

Podology appeared and received serious development in the 20th century in the USA and some other Western countries. Podology has received special development in Germany. But in Russia, podology is still not widely known, and there are few specialists. This is not just about a pedicure, but about a medical discipline that allows you to alleviate the condition of those who have problems with the feet and lower legs. Even on Wikipedia, the term "podology" is hidden in a short article about podiatry, although the Wikipedia article Podology in English is much more extensive and incomparably more detailed.

Therapeutic pedicure is vital for those who have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually develops with age in people who are overweight. There are millions of such people, although some often do not even know about their diagnosis. Of the famous people, type 2 diabetes is in the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and the political scientist Yevgeny Satanovsky. In the trinity of comedians known from the comedies of Leonid Gaidai, where the roles were played by Georgy Vitsin, Yuri Nikulin and Yevgeny Morgunov, the latter suffered from diabetes with serious complications on his feet: he could not pick up ordinary shoes and often wore slippers even on stage.

In diabetes, there is a violation of blood circulation due to narrowing of the distant blood capillaries, which leads to polyneuropathy (decrease in the sensitivity of the nervous system) and hyperkeratosis - thickening and keratinization of the surface layer of the skin of the feet, which can cause difficult-to-heal cracks in the foot, dangerous infection. Trimming thickened nails on your own with a diabetic foot is dangerous, since any careless wound may not heal and lead to infection, gangrene, and even amputation of the finger. That is why a therapeutic pedicure is needed, carried out by specialists. Unfortunately, not all beauty salons know what it is and know how to properly carry out such a medical pedicure. Therapeutic pedicure should be done every one to two months.

A few years ago, a doctor's office "Diabetic Foot" was opened in my district clinic in Moscow. Once or twice a year I receive a referral to this office from an endocrinologist. However, the equipment of the “Diabetic Foot” room, in comparison with the training center of the “Institute of Podology”, leaves much to be desired, and the doctor has little time to carefully work with each patient, since he has to write a lot of some reports in the medical record. I was surprised that in the clinic the instruments are not sterile, while in the training center cleanliness and hygiene are at a high level: each time they open a new package with sterile instruments, and the cutter, which is used to grind the keratinized skin, feet, is disposable - it is thrown out after work and then taken new. The training center of the Institute of Podology does not keep any records, they only take photos of the feet before and after the procedure on smartphones. But a full pedicure usually takes about two hours.

I first came to the training center of the Institute of Podology by chance a year ago on the recommendation of the master who did my pedicure. And I was lucky enough to meet the German podologist Dieter Baumann from Stuttgart at the Podology Institute training center in the fall of 2016. As far as I understand, he often visits Moscow, and I have met this charming and attentive doctor more than once.

I asked Dieter for permission and he didn't object to me posting these videos on the Internet. I told my younger sister about the training center. and she had a burning desire to go through training and also start doing medical pedicure.

Below are photos taken by me at the Podology Institute training center on Malaya Dmitrovka in Moscow in May 2017, when Dieter Baumann is teaching his students from various places in Russia and neighboring countries. Two girls work with me: Larisa from Yakutsk, she does a pedicure in a beauty salon there, and Tatyana from Dushanbe, she is an entrepreneur and she has her own beauty salon with a pedicure. Translated by the head of the training center "Institute of Podology" Mikhail Mikheev.

The word "podology" has firmly entered the professional everyday life of the masters of the nail industry.

Many companies and private clinics have established a staff unit "podologist", the masters have ordered the appropriate badges and signs for the office, and the number of sites and pages on social networks that unite various "podologists" is growing day by day.

Our goal is to understand what a podologist does, what his education should be, what skills he needs, who a podologist sees himself among other specialists.

The very term "podology" suggests that it is the science of the foot. In accordance with this, a "podologist" is a specialist who allows you to maintain the health of the foot and human mobility until old age.

Who will take care of the foot

Even before the advent of podology, doctors of various specialties dealt with the health of the foot. A surgeon operated on an ingrown toenail, a dermatologist looked after the health of the nails and skin, an orthopedist helped preserve the architecture of the foot, and so on. Doctors know a lot about foot health and relationships with other factors, but they are deprived of some practical skills and specific equipment (pedicure chair and apparatus, cutters, etc.), and most importantly, it is too expensive for society to use a qualified doctor to solve “simple” problems.

A modern urban dweller probably goes to a beauty salon with foot problems. It is the pedicure master who can see suspicious changes in the skin, nails, fingers, and feet before others. And he should give valuable advice so that the client confirms or dispels his suspicions with the appropriate doctor. We write “should”, because in the real world the master does not have enough knowledge and outlook for this.

On the one hand, there are doctors who theoretically know how to treat diseases and keep the foot healthy, but, as a rule, they get a foot with a neglected problem when it is too late to use simple remedies. On the other hand, there is a pedicure master who could have seen and prevented problems long before they aggravated, if he knew and was more able.

Between these professions - the abyss and mutual distrust. Medicine treats pedicure mostly badly, and there are reasons for this: a low level of professional and general education, unsanitary conditions, and irresponsibility. Pedicurists recognize the intellectual superiority of medical professionals, but face the arrogance of doctors and the radical nature of their methods.

The birth of a profession

This abyss became a prerequisite for the birth of the profession "podologist". The closest to the Russian reality in legal and cultural terms is Germany. There, a podiatrist is not a doctor. Podology is a paramedical specialty, that is, a podologist is “next to the doctor”, being an extension of his hand. The podiatrist works in constant contact with doctors, clarifying their diagnosis and following their instructions. In such a team, the doctor is the head, and the podiatrist is the hands (however, they are not deprived of their own head).

The ideas of podology have been in the air for a long time, they have been tried to formalize since the early 80s, and the law that introduced formal requirements and standards came into force only in 2002. The state pursued several goals, but the main goal was to improve foot care for diabetics, diagnose problems of diabetic foot syndrome earlier and, as a result, reduce the number of amputations.

Who trains podiatrists

In Russia, by order of the Ministry of Education No. 513 dated July 2, 2013, the latest list of professions and positions was approved, in which there was no place for podiatrists. Until recently, the closest related profession was "pedicurist". True, in December 2014, the professional standard “Specialist in the provision of manicure and pedicure services” appeared in Russia, but podologists are not mentioned in it. Since there is no approved standard, everyone is free to call himself a podiatrist without consequences. Many professionals do just that.

Theoretically, a Russian citizen can become a podiatrist in Europe and work with a foreign diploma at home, but this requires a good knowledge of the language and a willingness to live in Europe for several years, pay for education and not work. To date, we are not aware of any such case. So for now, all or almost all Russian “podologists” are self-proclaimed and unrecognized.

Note that many Russian "podologists" are former doctors. Many of them have not only enough past education, but also too much to successfully pass the exam for a podiatrist. But no one passed such exams, so none of the Russian "podologists" has an objective confirmation of qualification.

Education "with them"

In Germany, there are about 40 schools of podology, which graduate several hundred specialists a year. Schools are subject to compulsory licensing. The state checks both the material base (premises, equipment, hygiene) and the qualifications of teachers.

Education lasts 2 years (full-time) or 3 years (correspondence form). That is, the future podiatrist should only study for at least two years. Plus, paying the cost of training is about 20,000 euros. Those who do not have rich parents take out a loan.

Training includes general medical disciplines (anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, pathophysiology, etc.), theoretical subjects related to the foot, as well as applied disciplines: possession of instruments, apparatus, materials, orthonyxia, prosthetics, orthotics, treatment and dressing of wounds , massages, etc. As you can see, this is a solid list of theoretical and practical subjects. Many Russian masters have made significant progress in certain disciplines, especially applied ones, but it is unlikely that anyone has prepared for all items without exception.

In schools of podology, theoretical and practical exams are taken in several stages. Final exams are first taken by school teachers, and then by the state commission.

Podiatrists with a diploma are in short supply in Germany (except for the eastern regions). The high demand for their services is stimulated by the state: all patients with diabetes in Germany can receive the services of a podiatrist under the MHI policy, in fact, free of charge.

Disproportions in education

The formal requirements for the education of a pedicure master (pedicurist) in our country have practically disappeared. Most of the specialists in the market completed the next one-week courses, received a "diploma" and got a job.

The salon manager has few opportunities to assess the level of professional training of the master (for this you need to understand the pedicure yourself). Therefore, he is forced to trust the diploma. As a rule, schools issue diplomas to everyone who has paid for the course, so the very fact of issuing does not mean that even in this very short course the master studied in good faith. In this regard, we see great prospects for the service of attestation of masters. This is a comprehensive exam on a paid basis, which allows you to get a more objective assessment of the knowledge and skills of the master.

The obvious problem is that in 5-6 days it is useless to even try to explain how the foot works. There is barely enough time in such a short course to show the individual steps for processing the foot (this is how we cut our nails, this is how we saw, this is how we grind the skin), and then hope that the master himself will somehow figure out what needs to be done. There is no talk of a theoretical basis, since there is no time to give it.

The quality of training of pedicurists in our country is an example of the destructive influence of competition without restrictions, as well as the absence of a national habit of paying for knowledge.

Competition forces schools to look for ways to reduce costs, which means, first of all, to reduce training time. In an effort to finally "rationalize" the educational process, the schools excluded everything that was not directly related to daily work. Imagine an example from another field: a driving school teaches future drivers how to start, how to turn and how to brake, and then issues them a license.

Part of the problem with Russian pedicure education is that it is traditionally too cheap. Compare the cost of becoming a pedicurist with the cost of becoming, for example, a dentist, lawyer, loan officer. A good education in other fields already costs hundreds of times more than a pedicure course.

A pedicure school requires investment and the cost of courses is low, so usually pedicure schools are unprofitable. Independent schools do not survive, but schools remain under trading firms. The unprofitability of training is covered by the profit from the sale of tools and consumables. In this situation, the school is not interested in talking about the cell, blood vessels, skin structure, diabetes, etc. The theory comes down to the study of materials, because it is their subsequent sale that makes training cost-effective.

After such courses, the master's head is filled with a list of a huge number of tools and materials that he "must buy." As a rule, there is not enough money to buy everything, so the master stops at one, rather random set. Most craftsmen are familiar with the “graveyard” of cutters and tools, uncomfortable devices that were once bought, after which they never came in handy.

This, by the way, provokes another problem: subsequently, salons are very reluctant to purchase new equipment, tools and materials for the master. The masters complain about the greed and stubbornness of the managers, and the managers themselves complain that the master "always needs something, he himself does not know what." They are partly right: the craftsmen have already made so many pointless purchases that no one wants to give money for their new ideas.

These and other problems prevent the masters from working, getting joy and a decent income from this, and the salons from expanding and earning from the pedicure room. But all these problems are programmed in advance by the peculiarities of education - short, inexpensive courses with an advertising bias.

Licensing

In theory, the framework for healthy competition should be compulsory licensing of educational activities, in particular, pedicure schools. It was the licensing authorities who were supposed to weed out "hacky" courses, insist on expanding the program, and so on.

In reality, licensing has become out of touch with life and has become completely formal. Having a license no longer reflects the real value of schools. Many respected schools with a good material base, experience and modern technologies could not obtain licenses for formal reasons and work by disguising "education" as "seminars". And vice versa, other educational institutions, for example, hairdressing colleges or courses where any specialists are trained, from an accountant to a translator, have all the licenses, but in practice they are decades behind the modern pedicure.

Unfortunately, it is not necessary to expect changes for the better on the part of the state, which means that improvements should come from below, that is, from us.

Where to go

The logical idea is to stimulate the emergence of schools where the training of a pedicurist lasts at least a few weeks. There are already such examples, but future masters, who verbally dream of “growing and developing”, are extremely reluctant to go into them: it’s a pity for time and money.

For working masters who really want to develop, the obvious solution is to consistently, topic by topic, expand their knowledge and gain new skills in continuing education courses. For example, I learned to work on modern equipment with a spray, then put it into practice for six months. I learned the basics of orthonyxia - then I intensively made staples for six months. I learned how to treat fungal infections - you expand the circle of clients with a fungus, observe different cases, and collect experience. And so on. In this way, you can collect really good practical skills.

To the level of a podologist, there will still be a lack of theoretical foundations, especially in general medical disciplines. This problem can be solved by obtaining an affordable secondary medical education outside the pedicure industry. Of course, efforts will be required, it is difficult to combine it with work, and, moreover, with family, but it is still possible.

Demand creates supply. The quality of education will certainly improve itself if there is not dreamy, but real demand. Masters and business owners should think about the fact that in life you always need to invest something in order to receive later. Saving on education without sacrificing quality will not work, a miracle will not happen.

We are sure that as soon as there are more masters who are not satisfied with a superficial education and who are ready to study longer, deeper and pay for it, corresponding offers from schools will appear.

Relationship with medicine

The profession of "podiatrist" does not take away work from doctors. On the contrary, the ability to rely on a podiatrist makes the doctor's work more efficient. Podiatrists should strive for medical recognition and the emergence of interdisciplinary collaboration.

A group of specialists, among whom there is a podologist, leads the patient, while each performs his part of the work, in which he is well versed, and then transfers the patient to the next specialist. For example, in the treatment of onychomycosis, the cooperation of a dermatologist and a podologist will be required, in the treatment of an ingrown nail and panaritium, the cooperation of a podologist with a surgeon will be required. In Germany, a whole team works on the well-being of patients with complications of diabetes in the legs: an endocrinologist (he is the main one and can involve other doctors), a nutritionist, a diabetes school, an orthopedic workshop and a podologist.

In Russia, there is still a lot to be done before such work. The main condition for such cooperation to become possible is an increase in the level of theoretical knowledge of pedicure masters, adherence to professional ethics and attention to hygiene.

The difference between aesthetic and medical pedicure is huge. These are two different worlds, two different professions that have come from the same source but are moving in opposite directions. This topic deserves a separate article.

Both directions are good and people need them, both should exist and develop. But I would like to note that there is still very little worthy offer of services in Russian podology, which means that there are a lot of opportunities for hardworking and talented masters. You just need to see them in time, and then move towards the goal, ignoring the remarks “nobody has done this before”.

Common misconceptions

If after the basic course I work for several years and attended a couple of courses and conferences, then gradually I will become a podologist myself.

This, of course, is not true. Experience and experience are good things, but they do not replace knowledge. A podologist is a specialist with a full set of knowledge and skills, and not selective "strengths".

Podiatrist is a doctor, and I didn't intend to be a doctor

A podiatrist is not a doctor, but rather a pedicure master with knowledge that allows you to speak the same language with a doctor. The podologist does not replace the doctor, but allows him to do his job better. Podology is a promising niche for ambitious pedicurists who lack aesthetics, extensions and varnishing. Podology allows you to feel needed, to experience the great joy and gratitude of patients, not to stop intellectual development throughout your career.

We do not have a demand for the services of a podiatrist, people need aesthetics

If there is diabetes in society, if there is a problem of being overweight, if people wear closed shoes, if people are aging, then the demand for the services of a podiatrist will automatically appear. A need becomes effective demand when an adequate supply arises. In Russia, there are enough examples of masters who offered the services of a medical pedicure at a good level and abandoned aesthetics and varnishing. There is still a lot of space in this market.

A podology office will not be profitable if everything is done “right”

A podology office does indeed require investments, especially compared to an aesthetics office, but they can be recouped. There is no complete list of "necessary" and "unnecessary" attachments. Unfortunately, there are no ready-made business solutions, but if you want to build a successful small business in podology, you can use your own mind.

– Thank you for your attention, dear ProPodo! Greetings to your readers! I will say right away: studying podology has already given me so much today - on this day - in all areas of my life, it has enriched me so much that in any case, no matter how it turned out with my exams this fall, I still chose again and again I wish this profession and this school, with its wonderful teachers, knowledge - from physiology to the secret corners of the soul, experience, as well as books, exhibitions, seminars, personalities I met on my way, doctors, professors and doctors! I am deeply grateful to my husband and our daughter for supporting my unexpected choice of a new profession 3 years ago! Thank you!

At the end of 2015, I shared my first vivid impressions on the topic of studying podology in Germany with a co-administrator groups"Professional pedicure and podology".

By the way, Angelica and I met a long time ago, even before I joined Facebook. In December 2015, I registered on the social network, and we were found again. I am impressed by the deep understanding and recognition of Solovyov's German podology - its nuances, features and priorities, and the fact that Angelica reads our textbooks in German!

No medical education is required to study podology in Germany

Each school in Germany independently determines which textbooks it uses to teach the disciplines established by law. I prepare for exams using textbooks and, of course, priceless school notes. They give direction in preparing for exams.

To start studying at the school of podology in Germany, a medical education is not required. Of course, we have ex-nurses in our class. But the exam is the same for everyone, no matter what. In addition, in modern academic medical education, very little attention is paid to the feet, so in this matter we are all learning together new things for all of us.

Since April 2014 I have been studying at a private school for podology in Hamburg. I already have all the necessary practice behind me.

Our study lasts 2 years (inpatient) or 2.5 years (in absentia). Both groups learn the same way and together. The only difference is that "correspondence students" have an additional 6 months of independent preparation for exams. I am a “correspondence student”. Study takes 2 full days a week (10:00-18:00), one part-time (17:15-20:30) and one Saturday in a month we also work.

Podology in Germany is a medical profession. A podiatrist is a general practitioner, not a doctor. The diagnosis is made only by a doctor. The podiatrist works very closely with both doctors and health insurance companies. In Germany, health insurance is compulsory for all residents.

When teaching, we study not only the legs, but the whole body, and what surrounds it: from protein biosynthesis, through the parts of the brain, through the central nervous system to the periphery, types of bones of the entire skeleton, enzymes, hormones, gram-positive / negative bacteria (pathogenic and "healthy"), the spread of the virus in the cell, aging of the body, further: from all kinds of diseases of various organs to the influence of herbal extracts through the toxic excretions of the metabolism of bacteria into our body when we use antibiotics ...

This is a very short list of topics that we study in the mandatory 2000 hours of theory. Plus 1000 hours of practice: 700 with a podologist, 100 with an orthopedist, 100 with a dermatologist, 100 with a diabetologist. Our podology practice does not take place in a school. The part that takes place directly at school is an integral part of the theoretical course of podology.

700 hours of practice with a podologist take place outside of school, with at least two different podologists in order to gain more DIFFERENT experience. Podologists are not required to accept interns and do so of their own free will.

700 hours of practice are completed by at least two different podologists

The apogee of all training is 14 state examinations in such subjects as law (professional, legislative and state), anatomy, physiology, general and special pathology, hygiene, microbiology, psychology, pedagogy, sociology, pharmacology, commodity science, theoretical foundations of podiatric care, practical foundations podiatric care, orthonyxia (Fraser bracket) and orthoses.

And in these subjects you don’t need to take exams, but they helped to understand a lot: German language and spelling, physics and chemistry (in relation to podology), physiotherapy in podology and first aid.