How Does Holistic Podiatry Differ From Conventional Podiatry?

Conventional podiatry is often focused on symptom relief, using tools such as orthotics, pain medications, cortisone shots, or surgery to manage foot and ankle issues. Holistic podiatry takes a broader, root-cause approach by addressing the underlying imbalances (e.g., inflammation, stress, biomechanics, gut health, circulation, nutrition) that contribute to chronic pain or slow healing. It integrates regenerative therapies, lifestyle medicine, and whole-body diagnostics to promote lasting recovery—without over-relying on surgery or steroids.

Key Points

• Conventional Podiatry often emphasizes symptom management using medications, injections, orthotics, and surgical interventions.
• Holistic Podiatry examines how the entire body, including diet, inflammation, hormones, and stress, affects foot and ankle health.
• Regenerative Therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), ozone, prolotherapy, IV nutrients, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are frequently used in holistic podiatry.
• Diagnostic Focus expands beyond imaging and gait analysis to include lab work for inflammatory markers, nutrient status, and metabolic function.
• Healing Goals center around restoring tissue function, mobility, and resilience—not just reducing pain in the short term.

A Holistic Foot Care Analogy

Think of your foot or ankle pain like a warning light on your car dashboard. A conventional approach might turn off the light by unplugging the bulb (relieve the symptom), while holistic podiatry lifts the hood to find out what’s actually causing the issue—maybe low oil, faulty wiring, or worn-out brakes. Then it fixes the root problem to keep the car running better for longer.

How Care Typically Differs In Practice

Which Approach Is Right For You?

You may benefit from conventional podiatry when:

• You need urgent pain relief for a new or acute injury
• Structural issues require bracing, casting, or surgical correction

You may benefit from holistic podiatry when:

• You’ve tried traditional treatments, but the pain keeps returning
• You want to avoid surgery or long-term use of cortisone or pain meds
• You’re dealing with chronic foot or ankle issues that don’t fully respond to conventional care
• You’re looking for a long-term plan to improve healing, mobility, and quality of life

Many patients get the best results by integrating both—using short-term relief strategies when needed, while building long-term healing through regenerative and whole-body support.

How We Do It At Kim Foot & Ankle Centers (Long Beach, CA)

At our practice, we combine the best of both worlds:

• Comprehensive Diagnostics: X-rays, gait analysis, + full-body functional medicine panels (inflammation, gut health, circulation, nutrient levels), Ultrasound, Live Fluoroscopy (X-rays) to aid in injections
• Root-Cause Healing: Regenerative injections, ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, IV nutrient infusions, personalized nutrition, exercise, stress, and sleep management, and emotional and spiritual healing
• Patient-Centered Plans: Every plan is tailored to your body, your lifestyle, and your goals—with a focus on getting you active again, pain-free.

When To Seek Care Urgently

Call emergency services for sudden weakness or numbness, severe headache, vision loss, trouble speaking, chest pain, or other red-flag symptoms—these could indicate stroke or another emergency.

Sources

Henning PR, Grear BJ. Platelet-rich plasma in the foot and ankle. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2018 Dec;11(4):616-623. doi: 10.1007/s12178-018-9522-z. PMID: 30259330; PMCID: PMC6220005.

Jiménez-Pérez AE, González-Arabio D, Díaz AS, Maderuelo JA, Ramos-Pascua LR. Clinical and imaging effects of corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: A comparative non randomized prospective study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2019 Jun;25(3):354-360. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2018.01.005. Epub 2018 Feb 9. PMID: 30321976.

Rabago D, Patterson JJ, Mundt M, Kijowski R, Grettie J, Segal NA, Zgierska A. Dextrose prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Fam Med. 2013 May-Jun;11(3):229-37. doi: 10.1370/afm.1504. Erratum in: Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):480. PMID: 23690322; PMCID: PMC3659139.

Chung MW, Hsu CY, Chung WK, Lin YN. Effects of dextrose prolotherapy on tendinopathy, fasciopathy, and ligament injuries, fact or myth?: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Nov 13;99(46):e23201. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000023201. PMID: 33181700; PMCID: PMC7668443.

Yildiz KM, Guler H, Ogut H, Yildizgoren MT, Turhanoglu AD. A comparison between hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy and conventional physiotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Med Int (Lond). 2023 Aug 29;3(5):45. doi: 10.3892/mi.2023.105. PMID: 37745156; PMCID: PMC10514571.

Capotosto S, Nazemi AK, Komatsu DE, Penna J. Prolotherapy in the Treatment of Sports-Related Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Orthop J Sports Med. 2024 Nov 4;12(11):23259671241275087. doi: 10.1177/23259671241275087. PMID: 39502373; PMCID: PMC11536850.

Next Steps

Book a Consultation: Ready to discover a more personalized and regenerative approach to your foot or ankle issue? Schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Don Kim, DPM at Kim Foot & Ankle Centers in Long Beach, CA.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Don Kim, DPM
Last Updated: October 21, 2025