MLS Laser Therapy – a relatively new treatment that’s allowing fewer people to undergo traditional surgery for their foot injuries. Read on for how it can help with common foot and ankle issues.
What is MLS Laser Therapy?
As its name implies, it’s a treatment that makes use of laser light to help your injured tissue to heal, as well as assisting in reducing pain. You used to need two types of laser therapy to achieve both these results, but now a single treatment can offer both in one!
- MLS stands for Multi-wave Lock System. This means that it uses two different types of lasers at the same time, both “locked” onto the affected part of your foot.
- An infrared beam of light is carefully focused on the area affected, and the energy in this light beam helps your body’s cells to kick into gear and repair the damage.
- It’s suitable for a wide range of foot and ankle problems, ranging from plantar fasciitis to tendinitis. Many sprains can also be treated this way.
How can MLS Laser Therapy help?
The main benefit of this treatment is that it is much simpler than older therapies, and can be more effective. For certain injuries, there’s no need to go under the knife.
- Because the lasers don’t need to cut into your skin, MLS therapy doesn’t hurt at all. This in turn means that you won’t require any anesthesia.
- MLS works in partnership with the natural healing powers of your own body, stimulating them to work harder and therefore helping to heal you more quickly.
- There are no known negative side-effects to this type of therapy, and many people will find that their foot pain is reduced as soon as they start their course of treatment.
What can I expect from MLS Laser Therapy?
Every patient has different needs, so ask your podiatrist what’s best for you. You’ll probably have between six and ten sessions of treatment, and after that your doctor will monitor your progress to check that your feet are healing correctly.
- Each treatment session generally lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, and you are able to go home straight after each one is finished.
- A small number of people will feel some warmth in the area being treated, but unlike traditional surgery, there will be no swelling or pain.
- To protect you from the intense light of the laser, you will be given special eye-wear. Your technician will also have the same protection.