Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS
Board-Certified Podiatric Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Quick Answer: Laser therapy is an in-office treatment that uses focused light to calm inflammation and ease chronic foot and ankle pain, with no surgery, no injection and no downtime. At Balance Foot & Ankle we use laser therapy alongside the rest of your treatment plan for neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and arthritis, rather than as a treatment on its own. How much it helps varies from patient to patient, and we will tell you what to expect before you start. A full protocol is 6–8 treatments over 3–4 weeks. Available at both Howell and Bloomfield Township, MI.
Ready to be seen? Book a real appointment time online, 24/7 — Howell or Bloomfield Township. Takes about a minute, 24/7.
Laser nail-fungus and pain therapy is also available at our Bloomfield Township clinic serving Oakland County.
After years of chronic foot pain, patients often arrive at Balance Foot & Ankle having tried everything: orthotics, injections, physical therapy, rest. laser therapy is frequently the treatment that finally breaks the cycle. It is not a gimmick — it is photobiomodulation, a well-studied field of medicine used by professional sports teams, military rehabilitation centers, and academic medical centers worldwide. We use a therapeutic laser in both offices.
What Is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses light at specific wavelengths to change the biochemical environment of injured tissue rather than to cut or burn it.
The laser energy penetrates 3–5 cm into tissue — deep enough to reach tendons, fasciae, joint capsules, and peripheral nerves — without generating heat or discomfort. Most patients describe the sensation as a gentle warmth. There is no downtime; patients leave the clinic and return to normal activity immediately.
How Laser Works: The Science
laser works through three primary biological mechanisms, all well-documented in peer-reviewed literature:
- Photobiomodulation of Mitochondria: Laser photons are absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, upregulating ATP production. Injured cells — starved of energy — begin repairing themselves at an accelerated rate. This is the core healing mechanism.
- Anti-inflammatory Cascade Modulation: The 810 nm wavelength suppresses COX-2 enzyme activity (the same target as ibuprofen), reducing prostaglandin synthesis and local inflammation. Unlike cortisone, this happens without weakening the treated tissue.
- Nerve Fiber Modulation: The 980 nm wavelength alters C-fiber and A-delta pain signal transmission, reducing the pain signal at the source — not just masking it at the brain. That is the rationale for trying it in nerve pain, though the evidence is limited.
Key takeaway: laser is not a heat treatment. It is a photochemical process. The laser does not burn or cut tissue — it changes the biochemical environment of injured cells, allowing the body to complete the repair process it started but couldn’t finish on its own.
Conditions We Treat With Laser at Balance Foot & Ankle
laser is effective for any condition involving inflammation, tissue degeneration, or nerve dysfunction in the foot and ankle. The conditions we treat most frequently:
Peripheral Neuropathy
This is where laser is most significant. Peripheral neuropathy — especially diabetic neuropathy — produces burning, tingling, and numbness that is notoriously resistant to treatment. laser’s nerve fiber modulation directly addresses the axonal dysfunction responsible for neuropathic symptoms. Small trials of laser in diabetic peripheral neuropathy have reported improvements in pain scores, while other studies have found no benefit over sham treatment. Some patients notice less burning and better sleep over a course of sessions, and some notice no change.
Plantar Fasciitis (Chronic / Refractory)
For plantar fasciitis that has failed stretching, orthotics, and cortisone injections, laser is our first-line advanced intervention before considering shockwave therapy or surgery. The laser penetrates directly to the calcaneal insertion of the plantar fascia, reducing the chronic inflammatory cycle and promoting fascial remodeling. A 6-session protocol helps some patients with long-standing heel pain and not others.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Both insertional and mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy respond well to laser. The photobiomodulation effect on tendon fibroblasts accelerates type I collagen synthesis — the structural protein that makes up healthy tendon tissue. Combined with an eccentric loading protocol, laser is used alongside an eccentric loading programme, never in place of one.
Arthritis (Hallux Rigidus, Ankle Arthritis)
Hallux rigidus and osteoarthritis of the ankle produce pain, swelling, and stiffness that limit every step. laser reduces synovial inflammation and modulates the pain signaling in degenerative joints. While it does not reverse structural joint changes, it consistently reduces pain and improves function — often allowing patients to delay or avoid surgery.
Other Conditions Treated
- Heel bursitis and Haglund’s deformity
- Peroneal and posterior tibial tendonitis
- Post-surgical pain and swelling reduction
- Morton’s neuroma (early stage)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Wound healing acceleration (diabetic foot)
What to Expect at Your Laser Session
- Duration: 8–15 minutes per area treated. The laser is applied over the treatment area for the length of the session.
- Sensation: Gentle warmth. Some patients describe mild tingling during treatment. There is no pain.
- Frequency: Typically 2–3 sessions per week, for 3–4 weeks (6–8 total sessions for a full protocol).
- After the session: No restrictions. Resume normal activity immediately. Some patients have a mild “healing response” of increased sensation for 24–48 hours after early sessions — this is normal and indicates the tissue is responding.
- Cost and Insurance: laser is currently classified as elective/experimental by most insurance carriers in Michigan and is not covered. The cost per session at Balance Foot & Ankle is competitive with other advanced regenerative therapies. Many patients choose to use HSA or FSA funds. Book online or call (810) 206-1402 for current pricing.
Laser Results: What Clinical Evidence Shows
Laser therapy has been studied in heel pain, tendon pain and neuropathy with mixed results: some randomised trials report short-term pain improvement and others find no benefit over sham treatment. There is no good evidence that it cures these conditions, which is why we use it as one part of a plan and not as the plan.
What we tell patients: response varies, we reassess after the third session, and if nothing has changed by the fourth we stop and talk about other options
⚠️ Laser is NOT appropriate for: Active cancer (near treatment site), pregnancy, pacemakers, active skin infections over the treatment area, or patients taking photosensitizing medications. Dr. Tom will review your complete medical history before recommending laser.
Frequently Asked Questions — Laser Therapy Michigan
How many laser sessions do I need?
Most conditions require 6–8 sessions for a full protocol. Some patients with mild acute conditions respond in 3–4 sessions. Neuropathy typically benefits from the full 8-session course, sometimes followed by maintenance sessions every 4–6 weeks. Response is assessed after session 3 — if no improvement is seen by session 4, we discuss alternative approaches.
Does laser hurt?
No. The most common sensation patients describe is a gentle warmth, similar to a warm towel. Some feel mild tingling in the treated area. There is no discomfort during or after treatment. The session is pain-free.
How is laser different from cold laser or LLLT?
Low-level (cold) laser uses lower power and longer sessions. Higher-power devices deliver more energy in less time; whether that changes the outcome for foot and ankle pain is not settled.
The Bottom Line: laser therapy is one of the non-invasive options for chronic foot and ankle pain. For patients who have tried conservative care without success, it frequently provides the breakthrough needed to avoid surgery. It takes 3–4 weeks of commitment, but for the conditions where it works — neuropathy, chronic plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy — some patients get meaningful relief.
Is Laser Right for Your Condition?
Schedule a consultation — Dr. Tom will assess your case and tell you directly whether laser is likely to help.
Howell & Bloomfield Township, Michigan
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Or call: (810) 206-1402
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Related
Combined laser and shockwave protocols: