What can a Laser do for Heel Pain?

Plantar fasciitis symptoms are the most common kind of heel pain, affecting 2 million people every year. In the United States, 10% of people are developing the condition throughout their lives. Physical therapy, surgery and prescription medications are all used to treat plantar fasciitis symptoms, but now more medical professionals are using laser treatments to manage heel pain in patients.

Heel pain

Causes of heel pain are hard to pinpoint, but not the result. When the ligaments and tendons in the calves become inflamed or damaged, it often results in painful plantar fasciitis symptoms. Exercise, high arches, flat feet, excess weight — many things may contribute to this inflammation and damage. Even wearing the wrong shoes could cause heel pain that leads to plantar fasciitis. Commonly, people who suffer plantar fasciitis symptoms experience pain first thing in the morning.

Managing heel pain

There are many ways to successfully treat plantar fasciitis symptoms. Daily stretching and massage techniques are very effective at relieving and preventing pain. Before you exercise or even go on a light walk, you should stretch out your calf muscles to prevent heel pain. Causes of pain are directly treated with stretching and massage, but prevention is possible, too.

Custom orthotics and supportive insoles protect heels from impact and shock while stepping and exercising. Repeat impact can inflame ligaments and tendons, causing pain. Even when you’re not exercising or walking, you should make sure heels are cushioned and well-supported. Certain shoes, like high heels, can cause plantar fasciitis symptoms and even shorten tendons over time.

Laser treatment

Probably the newest and one of the most effective ways to treat heel pain is the Laser therapy which is being used by medical professionals to treat this pesky problem. Using certain wavelengths of light, the laser is directed right at the site of pain to reduce inflammation and encourage cell repair. Treatments take about 10 minutes. Ultrasound therapy is also being used to treat the pained area. Non-invasive treatments should always be your first option for managing plantar fasciitis symptoms.

Our laser can penetrate deep into the soft tissues, and is a completely non-invasive and painless procedure to jumpstart the body’s own healing response.  The mechanism by which the laser works draws water, oxygen, nutrients, and new blood flow to the affected area to begin the natural repair process of the damaged tissue.

The vast majority of plantar fasciitis patients find total relief in an average of six to eight laser therapy treatments. The treatments last approximately four and a half to five minutes. FDA cleared, laser therapy is now being used by some professional sports teams to help athletes heal a variety of muscular and joint injuries. In addition to heel pain, the laser is used to treat patients with Achilles tendonitis and arthritic joints as well as onychomycosis and other disorders of the nail.  Surgery is possible, but it should only be used as a last resort or if you have tried physical therapy and other treatment methods that aren’t successful. Consult with a physician if you are experiencing chronic heel pain. Causes of heel pain can often be traced back to plantar fasciitis symptoms, but not always. A doctor will help you determine the best possible treatment for your heel pain, and confirm that you have plantar fasciitis and not something else which may be causing similar symptoms. 

If you are having problems with heel pain or pain in your feet, don’t hesitate to call your podiatrist to correctly treat the problem and possibly know if you are a candidate for laser treatments.  Because remember, when your feet hurt, you hurt all over!!