Your heel has hurt for months. You've tried stretching, icing, and different shoes—but nothing seems to help. You’ve read about laser therapy, but wonder how many sessions it will take to feel better.
The honest answer? The effectiveness of laser treatment depends on your specific condition, how long you've had it, and how well your body responds to the protocol. Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists use the advanced Multiwave Locked System (MLS) laser therapy to treat a range of foot and ankle conditions, but there's no one-size-fits-all timeline. Understanding what influences treatment duration helps you set realistic expectations and commit to the healing process.
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What Factors Determine How Many Laser Treatment Sessions You'll Need?
MLS laser therapy often provides fast relief for pain management. Some patients notice a distinct difference after just a few sessions. However, others benefit from extended treatment plans. Our board-certified podiatrists explain various aspects that influence your recovery timeline.
Condition Type
Acute injuries such as sprains or post-surgical inflammation typically respond faster than chronic conditions. If you twisted your ankle last week, you might need 3–6 laser therapy sessions. But if you've battled plantar fasciitis for two years, expect a longer treatment course—possibly 8–12 sessions or more.
Severity of Your Foot Problem
Mild peripheral neuropathy responds differently than advanced nerve damage. Early-stage arthritis heals faster than degenerative joint disease. The more extensive the tissue damage, the more time your body needs to repair itself—even with laser therapy accelerating the process.
Your Body's Healing Capacity
Age, overall health, circulation, and lifestyle factors like smoking or diabetes slow tissue repair. MLS laser therapy works by reducing inflammation and stimulating cellular regeneration, but it can't override underlying health conditions that impair healing.
Typical Laser Treatment Duration Timelines by Condition
You can rely on our experienced podiatrists to tailor your therapy protocol to the factors noted above. That said, we’ve noticed that certain patterns emerge for specific foot conditions. You can count on us to provide all the information necessary so that you feel confident in your personalized care plan. Here are some general guidelines for laser therapy sessions.
- Acute injuries and post-surgical recovery. These issues usually require fewer applications—often 4–8 treatments—because the tissue damage is recent and inflammation is the primary issue rather than long-term degeneration.
- Arthritis and joint inflammation. Laser therapy can reduce pain and improve mobility, but arthritis is a chronic condition. Many of our patients undergo an initial series of 8–12 sessions, then return periodically for maintenance treatments to manage flare-ups.
- Neuropathy and nerve pain. Peripheral neuropathy involves nerve damage that heals gradually, so consistency matters more than speed. So, laser treatment duration varies widely—some patients notice relief within 4–6 sessions, while others continue therapy for 12–15 sessions or longer.
- Plantar fasciitis. Most people need 6–10 sessions to see significant improvement, especially if the condition has persisted for months. The laser reduces inflammation in the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot, but rebuilding damaged tissue and reducing heel pain takes patience and time.
What Happens During Your Laser Therapy Sessions?
Each MLS laser therapy session at Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists is quick and painless. Most sessions last just 10–15 minutes. The laser delivers concentrated light energy deep into your tissue, triggering anti-inflammatory responses and stimulating blood flow to the affected area.
You won't feel heat, burning, or discomfort—just the probe moving across your skin. There's no downtime afterward, so you can return to your day immediately. Treatment plans typically involve 2–3 sessions per week initially, then taper as healing progresses.
Each session builds on the last, gradually reducing inflammation and repairing damaged tissue. Stopping too soon may leave healing incomplete. Staying consistent—even when progress feels slow—gives your body the support it needs.
How Can Our Idaho Podiatrists Help You Set Realistic Expectations for Laser Treatment?
A generic timeline provides a rough idea, but one of our skilled foot health specialists in Twin Falls or Burley will give you a personalized estimate based on a thorough examination. They'll assess the severity of your condition, review your medical history, and track your progress throughout treatment. If progress stalls, they might increase session frequency, combine laser therapy with other treatments such as physical therapy or custom orthotics, or investigate whether an underlying issue is interfering with healing.
Laser therapy isn't an instant fix, but it does offer a non-invasive option for conditions that often resist conservative treatment. Most patients begin noticing some improvement within the first few weeks, but full healing takes longer—especially for chronic conditions.
Think of laser therapy as a partnership between technology and your body's natural healing ability. The laser creates optimal conditions for repair, but your cells still need time to rebuild damaged tissue. Patience and consistency produce the best outcomes.