Your child hasn't complained once about pain—until they stopped running. The ankle sprain from last weekend's game still isn't right, and now they're limping through practice, sitting on the sidelines, and asking when they can play again. Rest, ice, and ibuprofen only go so far. At Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists, we serve families throughout Twin Falls and Burley, and offer a different kind of solution: one that works at the cellular level to reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and speed healing without drugs, needles, or downtime.
Multiwave Locked System (MLS) laser therapy for kids is a promising treatment option. This FDA-cleared technology has an excellent safety profile and is gentle enough for younger patients while remaining highly effective. Here's what you need to know before your child's next appointment.
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What Is Laser Therapy and How Does It Work?
Unlike methods that temporarily mask discomfort, MLS laser treatment delivers two synchronized wavelengths of light directly to injured tissue:
- One wavelength addresses pain and swelling quickly.
- The other penetrates deeper to accelerate the body's natural repair process at the cellular level.
The two work together in a way that neither could achieve independently. When the laser energy reaches the injured area, it interacts with the mitochondria inside cells—the structures responsible for producing the energy cells need to function and repair. This triggers a cascade of biological responses: blood flow increases, cellular metabolism accelerates, and the body's natural anti-inflammatory pathways activate.
The goal isn't just to quiet the pain signal. It's to support the tissue in actually healing correctly, rather than developing problematic scar tissue over time.
Is MLS Laser Therapy for Kids Safe?
This foot laser treatment is FDA-cleared for reducing pain and inflammation. Unlike surgical lasers, which cut or remove tissue, the MLS system is non-thermal and non-destructive. This means it doesn’t generate heat that could harm surrounding tissue. It uses light energy to stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms rather than directly altering tissue.
The skilled surgeons at Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists conduct a thorough evaluation before recommending MLS laser therapy for any patient, including children. Medical history, current conditions, and medications are all reviewed to confirm that laser therapy is an appropriate fit. For most student-athletes with sports-related foot and ankle injuries, there are no contraindications and no meaningful risk of side effects beyond some temporary warmth or mild tingling that typically resolves within hours.
What Do Young Athletes Feel During MLS Laser Treatment?
“Does laser therapy hurt?” is a question we hear often. The good news is that the majority of our patients, adults and children alike, report feeling nothing at all during treatment—or at most, a mild warmth over the treatment area. Sessions typically run 10–30 minutes, depending on the area, and there’s no recovery period afterward. Your child can walk out of our office and return to school, practice—with their provider's clearance—or normal daily activities right away.
Which Sports Foot Injuries Respond Well to MLS Laser Therapy?
Youth athletes experience significant stress on their developing feet and ankles. The most common conditions that bring kids to our Burley and Twin Falls foot specialists—and that tend to respond well to MLS laser therapy—include:
- Heel pain (Sever's disease). Growth-related heel pain is among the most frequent complaints in active children and adolescents. Reducing inflammation in the growth plate area and supporting faster tissue recovery helps kids get back on the field with less discomfort.
- Ankle sprains. A rolled ankle that doesn't heal properly can lead to chronic instability. Using laser treatment to target swelling and support ligament healing often reduces recovery time compared to rest alone.
- Achilles tendinitis. Repetitive running, jumping, and cutting motions put strain on the Achilles tendon. Laser therapy reduces inflammation in the tendon and promotes proper tissue repair.
- Overuse injuries. Soccer, track, basketball, gymnastics, and other sports that involve repetitive motion frequently lead to soft-tissue problems. Laser treatment supports the body in addressing the accumulated damage that rest alone may not fully resolve.
- Stress reactions. Early-stage stress injuries to bone or surrounding tissue can respond to the accelerated healing that MLS laser therapy promotes, potentially preventing progression to a more serious fracture.
What Makes Laser Treatment a Smart Choice For Your Young Athlete?
Several features make this treatment a particularly good fit for children and adolescents:
- It doesn’t require medication, which eliminates concerns about dosing, side effects, or long-term drug use in developing bodies.
- There’s no need for injections or incisions, which matters enormously when the patient is a nervous 10-year-old.
- Because there’s no downtime, student-athletes can maintain their conditioning and stay engaged with their team even while receiving treatment.
The effects of MLS laser therapy for kids are also cumulative. Each session builds on the previous one, and improvement tends to continue even after the treatment course is complete. For acute injuries such as ankle sprains, 5–8 sessions may be sufficient. For conditions with a longer history, such as chronic heel pain, a longer course may be recommended.
At Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists, our skilled surgeons offer a family-first approach to quality care, designing a personalized treatment plan based on your child’s specific condition, its severity, and how they respond throughout treatment. Learn what other people have to say about our dedication to your family’s health.
