You've tried everything for your foot pain—rest, ice, medication—but nothing seems to work. The discomfort keeps coming back, disrupting your daily routine and limiting activities you once enjoyed. What if there were a treatment that could address the root cause of your pain while providing fast relief, without the need for surgery or downtime?
MLS laser therapy offers exactly that. Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists uses this advanced pain management treatment to help our Magic Valley patients recover from various types of persistent foot and ankle conditions. Here's what you need to know about how this breakthrough technology works and what it can do for you.
What Makes MLS Laser Therapy Different From Other Treatments?
MLS stands for Multiwave Locked System. Unlike traditional treatments that only mask symptoms temporarily, MLS laser therapy actually repairs damaged tissue at the cellular level while simultaneously reducing pain and inflammation.
This technology utilizes two synchronized laser wavelengths that work in tandem:
- One wavelength reduces pain and swelling quickly.
- The other penetrates deeper to accelerate healing and tissue repair.
This dual-action approach provides both immediate relief and long-term improvement.
How Does MLS Laser Therapy Actually Work Inside Your Body?
When laser light reaches the painful area, it triggers a cascade of biological responses. The photons interact with mitochondria inside your cells—think of them as tiny power plants that fuel cellular function.
What are the benefits of laser therapy? Primarily, it jumpstarts several healing processes simultaneously:
- Blood flow increases, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to injured tissue.
- Cellular metabolism speeds up, allowing cells to repair faster.
- Natural anti-inflammatory responses activate, reducing swelling and edema.
- Your body also releases endorphins and enkephalins, which are natural pain relievers.
The result? Damaged tissue heals properly, rather than forming problematic scar tissue. Your nerve function improves. Additionally, new blood vessels form to support long-term health of the treated area.
Which Foot and Ankle Conditions Respond Well to MLS Laser Therapy?
The broad range of biological benefits means that MLS laser therapy is effective for various diagnoses. At Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists, we’ve treated many patients with the following conditions who’ve responded particularly well:
- Plantar fasciitis. One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot.
- Achilles tendinitis. This painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon often sidelines athletes and active individuals.
- Arthritic conditions. Various forms of arthritis affecting your foot and ankle joints may benefit from reduced inflammation and improved joint function.
- Sports injuries. Sprains, strains, and other sports overuse injuries heal faster with MLS laser therapy, supporting your body's natural repair processes.
- Peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage causing numbness, tingling, or burning sensations may improve with laser-enhanced nerve function.
- Diabetic wounds. Slow-healing ulcers, common in our patients with diabetes, often respond well to accelerated tissue repair.
What Can You Expect During MLS Laser Therapy?
One of the top questions our staff receives is “Does MLS laser treatment hurt?” No! Most people feel nothing at all during their session, although some may notice a mild warming sensation or slight tingling—however, it's never uncomfortable. These sensations simply indicate your body is responding to the therapy.
Treatment is remarkably quick and convenient. Depending on the size of the area being treated, sessions typically last anywhere from just a few minutes up to about 30 minutes. And there’s no downtime—you simply walk into our Twin Falls or Burley office, receive treatment, and walk out ready to continue your day.
The number of sessions needed varies based on your specific condition and its severity. Some of our patients notice significant improvement after just one treatment. Others may need two or three sessions before feeling substantial effects. Our Idaho podiatrists design a comprehensive treatment protocol that addresses your specific condition, but 6–12 sessions are common.
Here's what makes MLS laser therapy particularly valuable: the effects are cumulative and long-lasting. This isn't like taking pain medication that wears off after a few hours. Each session builds on the previous one, creating progressive improvement that continues even after your treatment course ends.
At Canyon Foot + Ankle Specialists, our dedicated podiatrists evaluate your specific condition and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses both your immediate pain and long-term foot health. While MLS laser therapy works well as a standalone approach, it can also be combined with other treatments for enhanced results. Either way, you can trust that we’ll provide professional insight and targeted solutions to help you feel your best again.