MLS Laser Therapy in Royal Oak, MI — Chronic Foot Pain Relief | Balance Foot & Ankle

Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS

Board-certified foot & ankle surgeon · 3,000+ surgeries · @MichiganFootDoctors (950K+ subscribers)

Last reviewed May 11, 2026 · (810) 206-1402

Quick answer: Mls Laser Therapy Royal Oak Mi affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

MLS Laser Therapy in Royal Oak, MI — Chronic Foot Pain Relief | Balance Foot & Ankle

MLS Laser Therapy in Royal Oak, MI

Royal Oak patients with chronic foot pain — plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, neuropathy, or post-injury pain — can access FDA-cleared MLS laser therapy at Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills, just north on Woodward Ave.

About MLS Laser Therapy

MLS dual-wavelength laser therapy uses synchronized 808nm and 905nm wavelengths to reduce inflammation, accelerate tissue repair, and relieve pain — all without injections or downtime. Patients typically see measurable improvement within 2–4 sessions for plantar fasciitis, Achilles pain, arthritis, and sports injuries.

Getting Here from Royal Oak, MI

From Royal Oak, take Woodward Ave north approximately 10 minutes to our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208.

Insurance & Booking

We accept Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call (810) 206-1402 for same-day or next-day appointments.

MLS Laser Therapy for Royal Oak Foot Pain: How Multiwave Locked System Laser Works

MLS (Multiwave Locked System) laser therapy is the most clinically advanced non-invasive treatment available for Royal Oak area patients with foot and ankle pain that has not resolved with conventional conservative care. The MLS system uses two synchronized laser wavelengths — 808 nm (continuous) and 905 nm (pulsed) — that work synergistically: the 808 nm wavelength drives anti-inflammatory effects and tissue repair at the cellular level, while the 905 nm wavelength produces analgesic effects by modulating pain signals in the afferent sensory fibers. The combination achieves results that neither wavelength alone can produce, with clinical trials demonstrating significant improvement in pain and function for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and post-surgical healing.

The MLS laser treatment protocol for common foot conditions typically involves 6–12 sessions over 3–6 weeks, with most patients noticing meaningful reduction in pain by sessions 3–4. Treatments are comfortable — most patients feel only mild warmth during the session — and require no recovery time afterward. Royal Oak patients can commute to Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills (approximately 15 minutes via Woodward Ave south) for MLS laser treatments, with early morning and late afternoon appointment slots designed to accommodate working schedules. The Bloomfield Hills location on Woodward Ave at Square Lake Road offers convenient parking and is accessible by Woodward Ave from both north and south Royal Oak. Patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, insertional Achilles tendinopathy, or neuropathy who have tried cortisone injections, orthotics, and physical therapy without adequate relief are particularly strong candidates for the MLS laser protocol at Balance Foot & Ankle.

MLS Laser Therapy for Royal Oak Foot Pain: How Multiwave Locked System Laser Works

MLS (Multiwave Locked System) laser therapy is the most clinically advanced non-invasive treatment available for Royal Oak area patients with foot and ankle pain that has not resolved with conventional conservative care. The MLS system uses two synchronized laser wavelengths — 808 nm (continuous) and 905 nm (pulsed) — that work synergistically: the 808 nm wavelength drives anti-inflammatory effects and tissue repair at the cellular level, while the 905 nm wavelength produces analgesic effects by modulating pain signals in the afferent sensory fibers. The combination achieves results that neither wavelength alone can produce, with clinical trials demonstrating significant improvement in pain and function for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and post-surgical healing.

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment
• Foot & Ankle Arthritis Treatment
• Diabetic Foot Care & Neuropathy

The MLS laser treatment protocol for common foot conditions typically involves 6–12 sessions over 3–6 weeks, with most patients noticing meaningful reduction in pain by sessions 3–4. Treatments are comfortable — most patients feel only mild warmth during the session — and require no recovery time afterward. Royal Oak patients can commute to Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills (approximately 15 minutes via Woodward Ave south) for MLS laser treatments, with early morning and late afternoon appointment slots designed to accommodate working schedules. The Bloomfield Hills location on Woodward Ave at Square Lake Road offers convenient parking and is accessible by Woodward Ave from both north and south Royal Oak. Patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, insertional Achilles tendinopathy, or neuropathy who have tried cortisone injections, orthotics, and physical therapy without adequate relief are particularly strong candidates for the MLS laser protocol at Balance Foot & Ankle.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

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As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.

When to See a Podiatrist

Laser treatment for toenail fungus has higher clearance rates than topicals alone, particularly for moderate-to-severe cases. Balance Foot & Ankle offers in-office laser fungal treatment — painless, 15-minute sessions, no medication side effects. Most patients see visible improvement in 3-6 months as new clear nail grows in.

Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402  ·  Book online  ·  Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.