What MLS Laser Could Do for Your Heel Pain, And More

Dec 13, 2018

Heel pain is one of the most common complaints received by podiatrists. When we are well equipped to address it, it is only a boon to so many of our patients.

There are many different causes of heel pain, which means there are many potential ways of treating it. One method that we are particularly happy to provide for our patients is Multiwave Locked System (MLS) therapy.

Now, this is not something we will recommend for every case, but it is an advanced option that can show great results for pain caused by plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, tendinitis, and other conditions.

How does MLS Laser Therapy work?

Don’t worry. Laser therapy does not involve any James Bond-style scenarios.

The laser used will not burn your skin. In fact, it will not cause any pain whatsoever. What it does do is operate at very specific frequencies to reach deep into the site of a soft tissue injury.

When the light energy of the device reaches the cells within, it stimulates them to accelerate their functions. This can lead to higher metabolic activity, which means faster repair and growth. This, in turn, can lead to shortened recovery times.

In addition to kicking repairs into a higher gear, laser therapy can also increase the flow of blood to the affected region. This has a couple positive effects:

  • The cells performing their repair jobs are receiving a higher quantity of oxygen and nutrients with which to work. Think of it like a construction site getting a non-stop flow of materials and lunch.
  • As blood flow increases, blood vessels dilate. This helps reduce inflammation by carrying excess fluid away from swollen areas.

The overall results in many cases are reduced pain, reduced swelling, and accelerated healing over the course of treatment.

MLS Laser

What can I expect from MLS Laser Therapy sessions?

A full treatment with MLS laser therapy often involves a number of treatments scheduled out over the course of weeks or months. Each session takes only about 10 minutes to complete.

In each session, the laser is attuned to specific frequencies in regard to the location of your condition and its type. The laser is then passed over and applied to the affected area.

Once again, no pain is involved in a session, nor are any other detrimental side effects. It is completely non-invasive (meaning no cuts are needed) and no drugs need to be taken as part of the process. Some patients report a sensation of warmth in the treated area, but that’s it.

Pain relief and greater comfort tend to be felt after the first treatment, with these effects gradually stacking with successive treatments. While the body may need some time and several boosts to increase recovery, this method can be effective even for chronic causes of pain.

What other conditions can MLS Laser Therapy be effective for?

MLS laser therapy has received wide use for sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, and other problems that commonly plague athletes. It has been a staple in professional sports for some time now, and only recently has become more available in standard practice.

However, MLS is not effective only for sports-related misfortunes. Soft tissue troubles as a result of work, accidents, and even aging might also be treatable. These include arthritis, neuromas, bad sprains, and more.

MLS laser therapy can also be a valuable tool in accelerating the healing of wounds in diabetic patients, especially when time is of the essence. It can also be recommended for speeding the time of post-surgical recovery.

Why would we not go with laser?

The effects of laser therapy can be profound and, in many cases, it would be the ideal choice for recovery and relief.

However, as we’ve noted before, not every situation is the same.

MLS laser therapy is still considered an advanced treatment, and therefore isn’t always covered by an insurance plan. If there is another form of treatment that can provide similar results with less financial stress to a patient, it will definitely be placed under consideration.

It should also be noted that, while laser therapy can be very effective at treating the symptoms of a problem, the underlying cause may still need to be addressed. Your plantar fasciitis could feel a lot better for a while, but you can expect it to return if it’s being caused by a gait abnormality!

In some cases, other forms of treatment may be suggested instead of or alongside laser. Custom orthotics can help you find relief while addressing a gait abnormality, for example. Physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and even medications for certain conditions might also be considered.

laser therapy

The best course of treatment for you

Whether high-tech treatments such as MLS laser therapy or more conservative methods are on the table, rest assured that we will discuss all available options with you when it comes to finding you the care and relief you need. When we decide how to move forward, we want you to have the knowledge and confidence to do so.

If you have been suffering from stubborn, chronic pain, don’t feel like nothing can be done about it. Give our Medford office a call at (609) 714-0052 to schedule an appointment with us and have your questions answered. If you prefer, you can also reach us via our online contact form and a member of our staff will get back to you.

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520 Stokes Road,
Suite C-5
Medford, NJ 08055

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