What is MLS Laser Therapy?

MLS Laser therapy is a completely safe, non-invasive and painless method of managing acute or chronic pain and inflammation including in the cases of arthritis or injury. The laser supplies light energy directly to your cells which encourages your body’s own healing process and reduces pain.

How Does it Work?

The MLS laser delivers two wavelengths, 808nm and 905nm in a synchronised manner. Because the stronger 905nm wavelength is nanopulsed (this means it pulses on and off rapidly), any risk of thermal damage to your tissue is removed and the laser is completely safe to use. The 808nm wavelength targets tissue repair and regeneration and the 905nm wavelength has an analgesic effect and targets pain and inflammation.

The laser works to create vasodilation (expansion of the blood vessels) in the area it is treating. This leads to an increase in oxygen, healing cells and anti-inflammatory proteins as well as a ‘wash out’ effect which helps to clear waste products and pro-inflammatory molecules. Laser therapy also reduces the speed of the transmissions of pain messages in the nerves and helps muscles to relax. Finally, laser can help to reduce swelling by flushing out and pushing through any fluid accumulat

How Many Treatments Will I need?

Laser treatment is cumulative which means each treatment builds upon the effects of the last. For this reason we try and see you as regularly as possible to maintain and increase the effects from each treatment. The number of treatments required varies because every body is different however depending on the condition and your body’s response you may need between 2-15 sessions. Generally, we work on an initial course of X sessions carried out at xx sessions per week. Acute conditions may need fewer treatments with chronic issues potentially requiring more. Please attend each session as recommended by your clinician so you can obtain optimal effect from your laser treatment.

What Can I Expect?

After an initial assessment to diagnose your issue and develop a treatment plan, we will begin your course of laser therapy. Your clinician will decide the appropriate settings for your condition and then the laser will be placed on or directed over the area of pain or injury. Once the laser is started you will most likely only be aware of the feeling of the wand moving across your skin or in the case of laser which is not in contact with your body, you may not feel anything. This can be strange as we expect to feel something (often pain!) as a method of healing. Trust us, the laser works without causing you any discomfort at all.

Your treatment will be usually be anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes long (or even a little longer) depending on your issue and the treatment protocol required.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Very occasionally a body will ‘over react’ to the laser treatment and will experience a temporary increase in inflammation, usually lasting 24-48 hours. This is rare however if it does happen, please don’t worry. It’s just the way your body has responded to the treatment which indicates that the treatment has caused cellular changes and a process is underway in your area of pain. You will most likely feel better after this rebound response than you did before. If this happens, please tell your clinician and they will reduce the settings on the machine for your next treatment

 How Quickly Will It Work?

We often see results after 1-3 sessions. Remember that laser us cumulative and you’re most likely to see results as you go through your course of treatment. It’s also really important that you stick to any other elements of your treatment plan such as exercises, taping or activity modification etc to allow for the best results possible

Your Appointment

Please arrive promptly so we can make the most of our treatment time with you. It may be helpful for you to bring shorts or wear loose fitting clothing which can be rolled up or moved out of the way (eg a vest when treating shoulders etc). We may need to treat a larger area than just the immediate point of pain so this is helpful for us and may be more comfortable for you.

ACHILLES TENDONITIS OR TENDINOPATHY - LASER THERAPY

Achilles tendonitis or tendinopathy is a painful condition which can affect different parts of the achilles tendon. The term ‘tendonitis’ is used when the issue is more acute and there is inflammation of the tendon whereas ‘tendinopathy’ or ‘tendinosis’ refers to more chronic,  degenerative changes within the tendon structure

In addition, you can have ‘insertional’ achilles pain, which is felt right at the back of the heel where the tendon inserts into the bone or ‘mid portion’ pain which affects the area higher up the tendon (midway between the heel and where the tendon and muscle join).

The treatments for insertional and mid portion tendon issues are different. Furthermore, there are differences in treatment interventions for tendinitis and tendinopathies. This means it’s important that you get a proper diagnosis to ensure you receive appropriate treatment.

Depending on what your Podiatrist finds during their assessment and the subsequent diagnosis, treatment options can include insoles, heel lifts in your shoes, exercises and activity modification. In our clinic, we have an MLSⓇ laser which can be a very helpful addition to your treatment plan.

MLS laser helps to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation as well as accelerating your bodies own natural healing process. The MLS laser delivers two wavelengths, 808nm and 905nm in a synchronised manner. Because the stronger 905nm wavelength is nanopulsed (this means it pulses on and off rapidly), any risk of thermal damage to your tissue is removed and the laser is completely safe to use. The 808nm wavelength targets tissue repair and regeneration and the 905nm wavelength has an analgesic effect and targets pain and inflammation

This means laser treatment could help to quickly calm down pain and get you better faster. It can be used on any type of achilles tendon issues and is completely painless which means it’s a pleasant treatment to receive. There is also no need to change your activity levels after treatment unless activity modification has been recommended as part of your treatment plan.

Would you like to know more?

contact us on:

Tel 01945 585292

Corns and Calluses what are they?
A Corn is a painful are of thickened hard skin a Callus is usually a larger area of rough or thickened skin.
Corns and Calluses are usually found on your hands, feet or toes. They are usually as a result of friction and pressure.
Do not try to treat these yourself if you have the following, Diabetes, Circulatory problems or Heart Disease.

Tips to avoid getting Corns or Callus include:-

Keep skin soft using a good moisturiser
Wear shoes that are a good fit, make sure they do not rub and are comfortable
Good fitting socks that are comfortable, thick and cushioned
Soak corns and calluses to soften them, using warm water
See a Podiatrist

Things you should not do

Do not try to cut them off yourself
Try to avoid walking long distances or standing for long periods of time
Do not walk barefoot
Avoid pointed toes, shoes that do not fit correctly and high heels

What we can do for you

As a Podiatrist or Foot Health Professional we can cut away the corn or callus
We may be able to make soft pads and insoles to take the pressure off the painful area

What is a Verrucae?
A Verrucae is a viral infection caused by the virus (HPV) this virus is contagious
The Virus can enter when the skin on the feet is damaged or has small cuts or scratches
Often you can get Verrucae if your tired or run down and your immune system is weak

A Verrucae can be as small as 1mm and can get much larger and multiple verrucaes can appear
They appear as either flat or raised areas of skin with a hard edge and softer centre. Quite often the verrucae have small black dots which are visible to the eye

Children are prone to this virus often being caught in swimming baths or gym clubs, virus infected cells can be shed and then passed onto others

How long will I have a Verrucae?
Verrucae can go away by themselves and often do, but it is a good idea to check for them regularly and treat as soon as possible to avoid the virus being spread between families
Check hands and feet in particular
They appear more often on weight bearing areas and can sometimes be painful.

See your Podiatrist to get the best advice