Laser Therapy or Phototherapy

March 3, 2012

Phototherapy: Pain Free Treatment for Painful Feet

By Carl Tam, Chiropodist, Footcare Place Toronto

Painful feet, ankles or knees can be dreadfully distracting. They can take your attention away from your work, your enjoyment and your regular fitness routine. Chronic foot and lower limb pain can seriously interfere with routine activity and in extreme cases can even be debilitating.

On the other hand, the treatment for painful feet, ankles or knees need not be painful.

Phototherapy, a medical laser therapy, is a new and innovative pain-free treatment for painful feet, ankles or knees, among other medical conditions.

This article is an overview of Phototherapy and how it can be applied to the treatment of painful feet, ankles or knees.

What is Phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a technique that uses therapeutic light to trigger intense healing and relief for painful feet, ankles or knees, as well as other medical conditions.

Phototherapy, by way of a medical laser light, stimulates the cells with laser light energy. This light is either a low level laser also known as a Low Level Laser Diodes (LLLD) or a Superluminous Diodes (SLD) also known as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS).

Phototherapy treatment for painful feet, ankles or knees is evidence-based and FDA approved.

The benefits of Phototherapy

In addition to delivering pain-free treatment for painful feet, ankles or knees, Phototherapy also delivers the following benefits:

  • Non-invasive
  • Non-surgical
  • Drug-free
  • Early results and faster healing
  • Reduced swelling
  • Reduced inflammation
  • No side effects
  • Safe and long lasting relief for acute and chronic pain

Phototherapy enables chronic pain sufferers to reduce or stop prescription medications. It enables the return to routine activities, which in many instances also facilitates associated weight loss.

How does Phototherapy work?

Unlike Aspirin and Ibuprofen when taken for chronic pain, Phototherapy decreases pain and inflammation without side effects. Phototherapy, by way of a medical laser light, initiates healing at the cellular level through the following process:

  • Photons of light are absorbed by the cell and converted into energy.
  • Collagen, DNA and RNA synthesis are enhanced enabling stimulation of the body’s natural repair processes.
  • Beta-Endorphins and Serotonin levels increase, resulting in relief from painful feet, ankles or knees.
  • Respiratory chain is stimulated and circulation increases allowing for more nutrition to enter the affected area.
  • Lymph vessels dilate and permeability of blood vessels is reduced permitting less fluid leakage into the area. This results in reduced swelling and inflammation.
  • ATP production increases and converts into energy, allowing the area to function properly.

The pain-free, safe, effective and rapid treatment of painful feet, ankles or knees will enable you to return to your normal routine. This change can have the additional benefit of also contributing to your general sense of well-being and ability to enjoy life.

When administered or prescribed by a Chiropodist trained to deliver medical laser therapy, Phototherapy can heal and relieve athletic injuries, acute and chronic conditions, damaged tissues and repetitive strain disorders, as they relate to painful feet, ankles or knees.

Footcare Place is a one-stop, quality foot care clinic serving Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Our Chiropodists are concerned with preventing the recurrence and impact of any foot or lower limb condition including heel pain. We treat all foot and lower limb conditions including: heel pain, flat feet, calluses,corns, diabetic feet, ingrown toenails, varicose veins, plantar warts,arch pain, knee pain, fungal nails, bunions, athlete’s foot as well as other causes of foot, ankle and knee pain.