What is Foot Laser Therapy?

 What is Foot Laser Therapy? 

Lasers are often associated with industrial applications like cutting through metal or drilling holes in stone, but they also have other less-industrial applications too.

In podiatry, lasers are a tried and tested type of treatment used to accelerate healing in a wide range of foot conditions.

Although foot lasers are not yet at the level seen in Si-Fi movies that result in instant healing, they do provide significant enough benefits when used.

If you have been wondering, “what is foot laser therapy?” we cover all the must-know points below.

How does foot laser therapy work?

Foot lasers therapy works by accelerating healing, especially in soft tissue and tendons. Since light is a form of energy, foot lasers harness this energy and dial it down to a range that energizes cells to encourage cell regeneration and tissue healing.

The most popular type of laser foot treatment uses dual lasers to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate circulation in the blood and lymphatic systems.

Which conditions respond best to foot laser therapy?

Foot lasers are especially effective in reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain. As such, the foot conditions that respond best to foot laser therapy are those with these characteristics.

They include:

• Neuroma – Thickening of the tissue surrounding nerves.
• Plantar fasciitis – Inflammation of the plantar tissue extending from the heel to the base of the toes.
• Diabetic ulcers – Ulcerations caused by changes in blood circulation in diabetic patients.
• Arthritis – A condition associated with joint degeneration.
• Tendonitis – Tendon-related pain caused by overuse, injury, or wear and tear.

Does laser foot therapy really work?

For most people, this is the elephant in the room: does laser foot therapy really work? According to this study and this one, clinical trials have shown a significant improvement in pain relief in patients with various foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis and chronic foot pain.

Besides these studies, the science behind foot laser therapy also supports the positive results reported, as this academic paper explains.

What to expect during your laser foot therapy session

For most people, foot laser therapy is painless, has no side effects, and does not require any anesthesia or post-procedure care. Some patients report a slight warming sensation during the procedure but nothing more.

A typical laser foot therapy session lasts fifteen minutes and does not require any special preparation.

The podiatrist will apply the laser to the affected area, allowing the laser beams to penetrate deep into your tissue to stimulate healing. After the session, you can carry on with your day as usual.

How many sessions do you need?

For less severe conditions, you can get significant relief within one or two sessions. However, with an increase in severity, you might need more sessions. Typically, your foot specialist might recommend up to six sessions for acute pain, while chronic conditions might require 12 or more sessions, spread out in two to three sessions per week.

Bottomline

The bottom line with foot laser therapy is that it works. If you would like to find out if you might benefit from it, consult your podiatrist for more information.