Laser Therapy

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapy is an outpatient procedure that uses focused light energy (lasers) to eliminate infection and/or activate your body’s healing process at the cellular level. 

During treatment, the Chicago Foot Specialists team points a wandlike device at a specific area of your foot, like your heel or a fungal toenail. The device emits specific wavelengths of light, which are focused into powerful beams. The beams penetrate your skin and interact with the tissues beneath, promoting recovery.

What types of foot problems can benefit from laser therapy?

The Chicago Foot Specialists team uses laser therapy to treat several types of foot and toenail problems, including:

Plantar warts

Plantar warts are hard round growths that form on the weight-bearing areas of your feet. They occur when the human papillomavirus enters your body through cuts or breaks in your skin.

Laser therapy heats up and destroys the blood vessels that feed plantar warts. Without a blood supply, the wart dies and falls off. Laser therapy also targets the virus that causes warts and helps bolster your immune system.

Toenail fungus

If you have onychomycosis (fungal toenails), laser therapy can stop the infection from spreading to your other nails.

During laser treatment, your podiatrist points a wandlike device at your infected nail (or nails). The device emits light energy, heating up and destroying the fungus while allowing your nails to heal.

Heel and foot pain

Sometimes, the team Chicago Foot Specialists prescribes laser therapy for heel and foot pain.

Directing targeted beams of light energy at injured tissues can reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and relieve pain. Laser therapy is especially effective at relieving certain types of foot pain, including plantar fasciitis.

What does laser therapy involve?

At Chicago Foot Specialists, laser therapy is an outpatient procedure that takes 30-60 minutes.

When you arrive at the office, you take off your shoes and socks and lie on an exam table. Your podiatrist washes your feet and toes and applies a topical anesthetic to ensure your comfort.

Next, your podiatrist picks up the handheld Remy laser and points it at a specific part of your foot. Though small, the Remy laser is incredibly powerful. It emits light energy at various wavelengths, penetrating your skin and activating your body’s healing process at the cellular level. Because the Remy laser is so precise, it presents no harm to the surrounding tissues. 

Call Chicago Foot Specialists today to see if you can benefit from laser therapy, or book your appointment online.