Pain in the feet or ankles can be debilitating. Your body’s weight is carried on your feet, and your ability to move through the world depends on using your feet and ankles. So any pain you experience will severely impact your lifestyle. One method of treating pain that doesn’t involve surgery or other invasive procedures is Class 4 Laser treatment. It is sometimes referred to as MLS Laser Therapy. Dr. E offers laser therapy in his Brooklyn, Queens, and New York City locations for patients suffering from a variety of foot and ankle problems in order to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and eliminate pain.
What is Class 4 Laser Treatment?
Class 4 Laser Treatment refers to any laser light therapy emitting power in excess of one watt. The FDA has approved this form of laser therapy to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and promote healing. This concentrated light energy stimulates the body’s natural healing process and increases blood flow for faster healing and natural pain relief. It also encourages the relaxation of muscles and reduces muscle spasms, reduces inflammation, and temporarily relieves stiffness in joints.
The treatment is usually done in a medical office or physical therapy clinic by a doctor, physical therapist, or trained medical technician. Each treatment typically lasts then minutes or less. In most cases, you may have a series of sessions over four to six weeks. Dr. E performs Class 4 laser treatments in his podiatric medical suites in New York, Queens, and Brooklyn, using state-of-the-art, FDA-approved equipment. Each session will last just a few minutes and let you return home immediately afterward.
A Class 4 laser handpiece will be placed either one-half inch above or directly on the surface of the skin and slowly moved over the area of the injury or painful area so laser light will penetrate the area at the cellular level. This allows the light to stimulate the body’s natural healing process on a cellular level and increase blood circulation, which is crucial to healing.
What Kinds of Foot Pain is Class 4 Laser Treatment Effective Against?
There are a wide range of conditions that can be effectively treated with Class 4, MSL laser therapy, including:
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Neuropathy
- Neuroma
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Sports and Work-Related Injuries
- Sprains and Strains
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Post-Surgical Recovery Pain & Inflammation
For many patients, Class 4 laser therapy is so effective at stimulating healing and alleviating pain, they no longer need more invasive treatments such as surgery. For patients who do still require surgery, post-surgical laser therapy hastens recovery and minimizes post-operative pain. Up to 90% of patients who try Class 4 laser therapy are incredibly pleased with the results.
Are There Side Effects?
One of the most significant benefits of MLS laser therapy is the absence of side effects. The low level of laser light means you may not feel anything at all when getting a treatment. In some cases, you may feel a slight bit of warmth at the treatment site, which lets you know the laser light is doing its job correctly. This is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment with rapid results and no known side effects. There are no interactions with other treatments, making it an excellent choice for most individuals. It is an especially good choice for anyone with other health issues to consider.
How Long Do the Results Last?
The lasting effects of Class 4 laser treatment can be quite impressive. For acute pain brought on by injuries such as sprains, injuries, or surgery, the results of a few days or weeks of laser therapy are usually permanent.
For chronic conditions such as arthritis, you often get full or nearly complete relief in several weeks. The important thing to keep in mind is initial pain relief with arthritis is just the first step. Once the inflammation and pain are under control, you can become more active and improve your range of motion, which can help keep future arthritis pain and swelling at bay. Dr. E may, however, wish to periodically give you single laser treatments to help keep your arthritis inflammation under control as you continue to improve.
Contact Dr. E To Discuss the Pros and Cons of Class 4 Laser Treatment for Pain
If you are interested in the many benefits of Class 4 laser therapy for your acute or chronic foot or ankle pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. E in one of his offices in New York City, Brooklyn, or Queens to discuss your options. This non-invasive pain-relieving technique could help you get back to a pain-free, active lifestyle without surgery.