We treat heel pain differently.
Most healthcare providers think to treat heel pain (plantar fasciitis) as an inflammatory problem. The truth is that it's not inflammation! It's a degenerative process caused by poor foot mechanics! We use non-surgical, and painless laser to regenerate tissues, and then orthotics to control poor mechanics. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy uses light energy to cause a photochemical effect (called photobiomodulation) at the cellular level encouraging cells to optimize their metabolism. This in essence "wakes up" damaged cells and encourages them to repair themselves.
It is a regenerative medicine therapy which has some of the following benefits:
Painless
Fast - works after 1st treatment.
No Downtime
Safe - FDA cleared.
Proven by clinical trials.
Watch our patient, Tonya, share her experience with the laser.
Prescription Orthotics
Prescription orthotics are the mainstay of treatment for plantar fasciitis and decades of research have confirmed they work! Prescription orthotics are custom to you, like glasses, that fit in your shoes, and re-align the poor mechanics of the foot which is usually the cause of pain on the bottom of the heel. Why not an over the counter orthotic? They don't go far enough, and studies prove prescription orthotics are better in the long run, and help you stay more active longer.
Laser FAQs
Is this Safe?
Yes! It is FDA-Cleared. It uses infrared light which is non-ionizing; meaning it doesn't damage tissues/cells, and so there are zero side effects when used appropriately.
Is the laser painful?
No. However, the laser is very powerful and requires medical training to operate safely. The procedure creates a soothing warming sensation, and the patient is monitored closely through the procedure.
How long do laser therapy sessions take?
Sessions can last up to 10 minutes. You will be in-and-out of our office!
How many treatments are required?
Typically, 6 treatments once, or twice a week are great at reducing heel pain. This can be accomplished in 3 weeks, or 6 weeks.
What is the downtime with this therapy?
Zero. In fact because you will be in less pain quickly you will want to do more on your foot.
Why can I just get a steroid injection and take care of this once and for all?
Because:
It's not an inflammatory problem.
Steroids don't do anything to correct poor foot mechanics.
Studies prove steroid injections don't work as good in the long run. So, you're wasting time and money.
I heard shockwave, or ESWT works well for heel pain. Why not that?
It is true shockwave is effective. The problem with shockwave is that it is a painful treatment! It also requires multiple sessions. Laser therapy shows the same effectiveness with ZERO pain during treatments.
Sounds cool, but does this really work?
Absolutely! Multiple clinical trials have confirmed its effectiveness. If you're interested check out this Meta-analysis: Clinical efficacy of low-level laser therapy in plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6370152/)
What if this doesn't work?
A small percent of patients may fail this therapy, and so we have other non-surgical tools we can use for these patients that is beyond the scope of this article.
Dr. Andrew Alward DPM
Board-Certified Podiatrist
A native of Illinois, after completing his medical training in Chicago, IL Dr. Alward relocated to Chattanooga, TN with his wife for the love of the outdoors, great hospitality, and community of Chattanooga! He is honored to serve the area!
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Rosalind Franklin University North Chicago, IL
Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Residency Sts Mary & Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago, IL
Board Certified American Board of Podiatric Medicine
Fellow of the American College of Podiatric Medicine
Special Interest & Post-Graduate Education in Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery
New Tread Podiatry PLLC
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