In our Powder Springs podiatry practice, Dr. Alvin Cowans has seen great results when providing patients with laser therapy for inflammation. But why is this such an effective treatment option? And what can you expect when you undergo treatment with our Class IV laser? Here's what you need to know.
What is a Class IV Laser? ![laser therapy for inflammation in the foot]()
In our office, we use a Class IV laser to provide therapy for everything from pain and inflammation to fungal nail infections. We love this laser because it uses both red and near-infrared light wavelengths; and, in combination, they can stimulate your body’s natural healing processes.
How does that work? When applied to the treatment area, the laser’s wavelengths stimulate the production ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in your body. These are internal messenger in the body that tell your body it's time to start healing cell damage. Another reason why we love this laser? The waves it produces during treatment are warm, not cold. And, because of that fact, they get down deeper beneath the surface of your skin. As a result? We can use laser therapy for inflammation that occurs in your ligaments, muscles or tendons, instead of just addressing surface-level concerns.
What Else Can Class IV Laser Therapy Treat?
In addition to using laser therapy for inflammation, we also provide Class IV laser treatments to help you manage pain, speed up tissue repair, and boost your circulation. It can work in all these settings because the wavelengths do a bunch of different jobs in your body. First, they can stimulate an endorphin release, helping reduce pain. Next, they can boost internal cellular activity, speeding up tissue repair and reducing your recovery time after an injury. Finally, the warm laser waves boost your blood flow, meaning injured areas in the body receive more nutrients and oxygen in order to speed up the healing process.
Now, these are all exciting benefits to consider. But today, we really want to highlight how laser treatment can help you recover from an inflammatory condition. So let's dive right in and discuss!
What is Inflammation?
The National Institutes of Health defines inflammation as being part of your body's natural defense mechanisms. When you experience inflammation, that helps your body understand something's wrong; in turn, your immune system can begin to identify and fight off the foreign invader, or help repair injured tissue.
Now, inflammation can be acute, developing right after an injury. But, in some cases it can be chronic, often occuring with overuse injuries or due to the repetitive movement of a high-intensity sport like running. Luckily, laser therapy can address either form of inflammation. And, by reducing your inflammation (and your pain level in the process) you can enjoy a faster recovery from many of the following conditions.
What conditions cause foot and ankle inflammation?
Several different foot and ankle conditions are characterized by inflammation. As such, choosing to treat them with laser therapy is a great way to cut short the recovery process. In particular laser treatment is a great option for the following inflammatory conditions:
- Plantar fasciitis, caused by inflammation in your plantar fascia that causes sharp heel pain.
- Achilles tendonitis, due to inflammation in your Achilles tendon that, left untreated, results in chronic pain and could even escalate to the point where you experience an Achilles tendon rupture.
- Peroneal tendonitis, caused by inflammation in the tendons running along the outside of the foot and ankle. This condition can also lead to tendon tears unless you seek treatment.
- Neuroma pain, caused by nerve inflammation in the foot.
Treating Inflammation with Laser Therapy in Powder Springs, Georgia
Whether you have one of the conditions we just highlighted, or are dealing with another form of painful inflammation in your foot or ankle, choosing Class IV Laser therapy is a great way to find relief without discomfort or inconvenience. (Laser therapy is pain-free, and post-treatment care instructions are minimal to non-existent, depending on your treatment area.) There are no known side effects associated with this treatment option, and you can get back to your regular activities immediately after completing a therapeutic session. Even better? Sessions are quick, typically lasting no more than 10 minutes. As such, you don't need to take too much time out of your busy schedule to begin your healing. Plus, the relief you experience after laser therapy is typically long-lasting, and the course of treatment can be tailored to meet your specific needs and to best target your trouble spots.
Another advantage to recognize? Most patients find that the treatment process itself is enjoyable: the warm, soothing laser wavelengths feel great. And, while you may not experience the full benefits of laser therapy for inflammation until you've completed between three and five treatment sessions, you should experience noticeable improvements after just one session.
Choosing Laser Therapy in Powder Springs, GA
When you come into the office experiencing pain and inflammation, we can provide you with a wide variety of treatment options. And, while not everyone will choose to treat painful inflammation with laser therapy, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about this form of regenerative medicine.
Ready to see if laser therapy is the best treatment option for your painful foot inflammation? Call our office at 770-727-0614. Or click on this link to request a laser therapy consultation with Dr. Alvin Cowans.
