A little more than half the patients we see come to the office with pain in the ball of the foot from a neuroma, heel pain, ankle pain, arthritis, and tendonitis. Laser therapy in conjunction with taping, shoe recommendations, stretching, and orthotics works fantastic for these conditions. But how does it work?
Laser therapy works by a process called photo biomodulation, very similar to photosynthesis. Photo means light and biomodulation means stimulating cells in our body. Typically, the human eye can detect wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers. The light our Class IV laser emits is 810nm and 940nm well out the visible light spectrum, which is why we need to protect our eyes with safety glasses.
Laser light therapy works at a cellular level. When a patient has laser therapy, the skin is exposed to packets of light carrying electromagnetic radiation, which is absorbed by the mitochondrion, the "powerhouse of the cell". There are thousands of mitochondria in muscle cells. These little engines are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed to sustain life and support organ function. Besides providing a tremendous energy boost to cells, exposure to laser light improves blood circulation accelerating the healing process. Only cells that have stalled due to inflammation and trauma will absorb the light energy emitted by the laser, and cells that are completely healthy are unaffected. This is important because it means we cannot over-treat an area with the laser-like although, we can with steroid injections.
At Lighthouse Foot and Ankle we offer laser treatment because it is pain-free and a great alternative to painful steroid injections. The therapy works for 85 to 90% of our patients. The effects of treatment are long-lasting. Additional treatments may be required if the condition is more chronic. We recommend 4 laser treatments spaced one week apart, along with taping. Whether you have an acute injury like an ankle sprain or a neuroma for several years, imagine in less than a month you could be pain-free!
If you have any questions, Dr. Michele Kurlanski is here to help. We can evaluate your feet and make recommendations on proper foot care and what shoes to wear. Same-day appointments are now available! Call us today at (207) 774-0028 to schedule your next appointment at our location in Scarborough, Maine!
