What is MLS Laser Therapy, and What Can It Do for Your Pain?

Jun 22, 2020

When you think of ways to treat sports injuries or foot pain, “hit it with a laser” is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.

Lasers have not exactly gained a huge reputation in pop culture for being beneficial to the human body, after all. Just ask James Bond!

But MLS laser therapy is a whole different matter, and has delivered outstanding results in helping many patients lessen the pain of injuries and recover from them faster. It does it all by stimulating the body’s own natural processes, as well.

We will be answering some common questions about MLS laser therapy here. If you have further questions that aren’t addressed in this blog post, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll be happy to help!

Laser and patient

How Does MLS Laser Therapy Work?

MLS stands for “Multiwave Locked System.” The device we use for this form of therapy emits very specific waves of light energy into the site of an injury or source of pain.

When the area in question absorbs this energy, it causes a disruption that can trigger certain beneficial reactions within the body:

  • Metabolism increases at the site. In other words, cells start to work faster—and repairs are included within that work. The recovery period of an injury can be significantly shortened this way.
  • The body increases blood flow to the area, sensing that it needs more of the growth factors and nutrients the cells need to do their jobs. This can even include the creation of new capillaries to provide more efficient access. (If only traffic worked like that.)
  • With more blood bringing good things in, it can also carry more bad stuff out, such as excess fluid. This can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
  • Transmission of pain signals by local nerves can also become partially blocked as a recovery response, reducing pain and increasing comfort.

All of this happens with nothing but the energy from the laser. It does not require any drugs or other forms of preparation on your part, which is a big plus in a COVID-influenced world. No need for anything invasive means much, much lower infection risks.

How Long Does MLS Laser Therapy Take?

MLS laser therapy is very rarely a “one and done” treatment. Most often, the therapy is conducted over a number of sessions, each spaced days or weeks apart. The overall schedule is determined based on the condition or injury being treated, its severity, its size, and other factors.

That said, an individual session lasts around 15-30 minutes on average, and can be easily scheduled into the day. And with no preparations or aftercare needed, you can immediately get on with your day once a session is complete.

Although a full course of treatment may require multiple sessions, many patients report positive effects starting after their first or second session. As sessions continue, these positive effects stack and the condition should feel progressively better!

Does MLS Laser Therapy Hurt?

A pain-relieving therapy wouldn’t be very effective if it was painful in itself, would it?

The lasers emitted in MLS therapy are not at the intensity to cause any actual damage to the skin. Most patients report nothing more than a sensation of warmth in the area during a session.

Regardless, never be afraid to tell us if anything ever feels painful or uncomfortable at any time! Making sure you are as comfortable as possible is a priority during every part of an appointment.

What Kinds of Conditions Can Be Treated By MLS Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy tends to be most effective on soft tissue injuries. A great many people suffer from heel pain, for example, and the clear majority of causes are rooted in soft tissue strain or damage.

Conditions for which laser therapy may be considered can include:

  • Wounds (including diabetic wounds and surgical wounds)
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Arthritis
  • Neuromas

Just because a certain condition might benefit from laser therapy, however, does not mean that laser will always be our top recommendation for it. Another treatment might be a more effective or convenient option for your particular case. We might even recommend laser in addition to another form of treatment (such as custom orthotics) to guarantee the best results not only now, but into the future.

Don’t Let Pain Persist

One of the highlights of MLS laser therapy is that it has been shown not only to help with pain relief from acute injuries, but chronic sources of pain as well. Even if you have been hurting for a while, the stimulation of laser therapy can often “restart” the body’s healing process.

Have more questions about laser therapy, or simply want to find relief from your foot and ankle woes? Then you’re nearly there!

Give our office a call at (313) 582-6222 to schedule an appointment with us. If you prefer to reach out to us electronically, you’re more than welcome to fill out our online contact form as well.

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Dearborn, MI 48126

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