What is MLS Laser Therapy?
MLS laser therapy is not only a high-efficacy pain and inflammation reliever but also a viable alternative to surgery and prescription painkillers. Plus, it has no negative side effects.
What Does the MLS Laser Therapy Treat?
Dr. Bobrowski’s MLS laser therapy sessions can help treat a large number of conditions, including:
Heel Pain
Heel pain is a common ailment. Statistics indicate that one out of every four US citizens will suffer from heel pain severe enough to prevent them from walking comfortably.
There are several causative factors for heel pain, so unraveling the root cause of each case is a sine-qua-non of finding the best possible treatment. One of the most common causes of heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This condition is usually characterized by pain on the bottom of the heel, especially after getting out of bed first thing in the morning or standing up after a prolonged rest.
Luckily, most cases of plantar fasciitis are treatable without the need for surgery. But acting fast is essential because the sooner you book an appointment with Dr. Bobrowski, the greater your chances will be of successfully treating and resolving this condition with the simplest, least-invasive therapeutic techniques available.
Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry treats several common foot and ankle sports injuries including:
Achilles Tendinitis
If either of the two Achilles tendons (known as heel cords) encounters forces greater than it is conditioned to cope with, an overstretching, inflammation, weakening, or even tearing of fibers can result.
Call us to schedule an evaluation if the pain in the back of your heel is preventing you from participating in or enjoying your activities.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains often occur when there is a sudden, accidental roll or twist of the foot and ankle that forces the joint to extend beyond its usual range of motion. They are usually classified into grades I, II, or III, according to the severity and common symptoms. Grade I is a mild sprain with slightly stretched ligament(s) and minor swelling. Grade II is an incomplete tear of the ligament(s) with moderate pain, swelling, bruising, and painful to walk. Grade III is a complete tear of the ligament(s) with severe swelling, bruising, instability of the ankle, and unable to walk. Always call our office if you suspect any kind of ankle injury.
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains occur when muscle fibers are stretched or torn. They are also classified into grades I, II, or III, based on severity and common symptoms. Grade I is a mild strain with only a few fibers stretched and no loss of strength. Grade II is a moderate strain with mild swelling and loss of strength. Grade III the muscle tears all the way through and is a serious injury with significant bruising and swelling and complete loss of muscle function.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy, is damage to the peripheral nervous system, a network of nerves that transport information to and from your brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to other parts of the human body. The most common symptoms of neuropathy are numbness, tingling and burning in the feet and legs, most noticed while at rest or in bed at night, and to a lesser extent muscle weakness, and muscle twitching.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be similar to those of other health problems, so it is essential to always see Dr. Bobrowski for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Diabetic Wounds
Diabetic wounds are serious health challenges that require urgent attention. Wounds of external origin and wounds of internal origin are the two most common types of diabetic wounds. Examples of external wounds are burns, cuts, and punctures of the skin. Internal wounds result from pressure points on the foot which lead to calluses, blisters, and ulcerations. Both types of wounds often go unnoticed in diabetics because of peripheral neuropathy. Delayed treatment of these wounds can lead to infections with increased complications, and in some cases, hospitalization and amputation may result.
Helps With Post-Surgery Healing
As noted earlier, MLS therapy can help you avoid surgery. However, certain surgeries are unavoidable. Post-surgery recovery can be slow because of the time it naturally takes bone and soft tissue to heal.
A longer healing time leads to greater convalescence and a significant delay in return to a normal active lifestyle. An increase in the thickness of the scar can also result from swelling and delayed healing of the skin. Though surgeries are becoming less invasive with advancements in medical science, significant pain, and swelling can still arise from surgical incisions and tissue manipulations.
Post-surgical pain can be a huge impediment to returning to pre-surgery life, and inactivity can negatively impact the speed of healing. While painkillers such as opioids can reduce pain, they are often associated with undesirable side effects like drowsiness, constipation, addiction, and or dependence.
With MLS laser therapy, your post-surgery healing process is a lot faster and characterized by little post-operative pain and a reduction in swelling, meaning you will bounce back stronger and healthier in a shorter period of time.
How Does MLS Laser Therapy Work?
MLS laser therapy is based on the application of a couple of very effective synchronized laser wavelengths:
- The 808nm wavelength for inflammation.
- The 905nm wavelength for pain relief.
These synchronized laser methods provide many desired therapeutic remedies by penetrating 3-4 cm deep into body tissues without generating heat.
Some of the remedies include:
- Anti-inflammatory effects (reduction of swelling).
- Analgesic effects (relief from pain).
- Restorative effects (repair of tissues and cellular growth).
- Healing effects (improvements in vascular activity to ensure a quicker healing process).
- Metabolic effects (increased metabolism) among the injured cells.
- Neuralgic effects (boost in nerve functions).
Is MLS Laser Therapy Invasive?
Laser therapy is a form of regenerative medicine and thus focuses on the healing of tissues and organs. However, it differs from several other kinds of regenerative medicine that utilize drugs or invasive procedures as part of treatment. Instead, laser therapy, including MLS laser therapy, uses the power of light energy to deal with pain and stimulate the body to heal naturally. Not only is MLS laser therapy much more accessible, but it is also more financially and logistically convenient.
What is the Recovery Time of MLS Laser Therapy?
After only a few months of MLS laser therapy, you will be able to get back to living your life to the fullest and enjoying what you love doing the most, whether it is participating in sports or outdoor activities, playing with your children, or going on long walks.
Each MLS laser therapy session usually lasts twenty minutes or less. All sessions are completely painless and non-invasive with no anesthesia or other medications required.
Six sessions are usually required to effectively treat acute conditions (experiencing symptoms for less than two months), while chronic conditions (symptomatic for greater than two months) can require as many as 12 sessions. For chronic conditions, InStride Crystal Coast Podiatry recommends being treated three times a week for better, quicker, and longer-lasting results.
If you have decided to get MLS laser therapy, it is important to attend every single session. Skipping even one session can jeopardize the efficacy of the whole treatment, which works cumulatively. This cumulative pattern means that each new session is a vital continuation or extension of the previous session.
Reach Out to Crystal Coast Podiatry Today!
MLS laser therapy can help address many types of foot and ankle pain and restore your quality of life. For more information about MLS therapy, and whether it is right for you, speak to our friendly podiatrist today at (252) 638-4700 or via our online form.