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Nerve Entrapment Syndromes
The human nervous system consists of two separate systems: the central nervous system (which controls the brain and spinal cord), and the peripheral nervous system-which resides outside the central nervous system.
Peripheral nerves relay messages from the brain to the rest of the body. When a peripheral nerve is damaged in some way, you may experience tingling, burning, numbness, cramps, leg and foot pain which is worse at night, toe curling, and muscle weakness. One type of damage to a peripheral nerve is a condition known as nerve compression, or nerve entrapment syndrome.
Nerve entrapment occurs when a peripheral nerve is constricted or pinched, often within the confines of a fibrous “tunnel” through which the nerve passes. Depending on the location of the nerve, this type of injury may be caused by chronic compression or by forces that stretch the nerve. Common forms of nerve entrapment affecting the feet and ankles are:
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome, occurring within the tarsal tunnel inside the ankle
- Baxter’s nerve entrapment, occurring in the inferior calcaneal nerve in the heel
- Peroneal nerve damage, occurring under the knee, which causes symptoms in the feet, toes, and ankles
Your podiatrist can diagnose nerve damage by conducting a neurological physical exam, which consists of various simple tests performed right in the office. Depending on their diagnosis, the condition may be treated with medications, icing techniques, custom orthotics, cortisone injections, physical therapy, or massage. If these more conservative approaches do not adequately relieve symptoms, your podiatrist may suggest decompressing the nerve with a surgical procedure to open the fibrous canal it resides in.
If you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, make an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as possible to get relief and to avoid permanent damage from occurring.
MLS Laser Therapy
On The Forefront of Non-Surgical Pain Relief & Tissue Repair
The Foot & Ankle Center, PC is the first medical facility in southeast Georgia and the low country to offer their patients the latest advancement in safe, comfortable and highly effective pain relief and tissue repair. Our new deep tissue laser treatments can dramatically reduce your pain with no hassle, no drugs, and no side effects. With our lasers treatments, you can avoid invasive surgery, costly medications, and recovery time away from work.
The Cutting Edge MIX5 Laser is one of the most technologically advanced therapeutic Class IV lasers approved by the FDA . The MLS Laser is capable of delivering over 100 times more healing energy than the most powerful devices of the previous generation ( Class III – ‘Cold Lasers’ – LLLT – Low Level Laser Therapy ).
More power means shorter treatment times, less therapy needed and immediate pain relief . The Cutting Edge MLS Laser floods the tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. This increases the body’s production of ATP (Adenosine-triphosphate), expediting the healing process to reduce inflammation and repair damaged tissue.
MLS Stands for “ Multi-wave Lock System .” MLS is the name of the technology used that utilizes the patented combination of wavelengths . The 2 wavelengths are synchronized to work together, much like a symphony to deliver superior results. Like two musical instruments playing together in harmony, the patented MLS emission system organizes continuous and pulsed emission providing simultaneous anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in considerably reduced times. In addition, this unique patented synchronization of multiple wavelengths creates less ‘scatter’ and allows for safe deep tissue treatment . (Scatter can produce heat in the tissues and is the reason why with other Class IV therapeutic laser devices the therapist must keep the laser beam in motion). Treatments take just a few minutes and are painless, however, the therapeutic effects continue to soothe and heal long after the treatment ends.
Watch this short video which demonstrates the advanced technology of the MLS Laser from Cutting Edge.
MLS Laser Therapy - FAQ's
What are the most common indications for therapy? The most common indications for MLS Therapy are pain relief, degenerative joint disease, arthritic conditions, muscular and skeletal system trauma, and inflammatory conditions such as plantar fascitiis and tendonitis.
What wavelengths are used in the MLS therapy? MLS therapy uses both the 808nm and 905nm wavelengths simultaneously . The 808nm wavelength is delivered using continuous emission while the 905nm wavelength is delivered using pulsed emission.
Why are two wavelengths used? MLS Therapy uses two wavelengths to overcome the limits of traditional Laser Therapy. Traditional Laser therapy does not deliver both wave lengths in a reinforcing and synchronized fashion. Continuous laser emissions act fast on inflammation, stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation and inducing fast re-absorption of fluid build ups; however they only have a secondary effect on pain, which is diminished after reducing the inflammatory process. Pulsed laser emissions , on the other hand, have a practically immediate effect on pain, since they are able to induce analgesia, interfering with the very transmission of the pain impulse to the higher brain centers, but they are less effective at treating inflammation and edema.
Is MLS Therapy approved by the FDA? Yes, the FDA has approved the use of MLS therapy and it is also patented via the US Patent Office.
What is the advantage of MLS therapy over traditional low level lasers (LLLT “Class III”)? MLS Therapy is able to induce strong anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, and analgesic effects simultaneously and within a short period of time. LLLT cannot achieve these results because of the limitations of using one or two wavelengths that are not synchronized. The patented control system that generates the MLS pulse synchronizes the emissions to achieve results previously unattainable. Thanks to this characteristic synchronization, the various therapeutic effects not only take place at the same time but reciprocally reinforce each other.
What is MLS? MLS or “ Multi-wave Lock System. ” is the name of the technology that utilizes the patented combination of wavelengths, thus allowing the 2 wavelengths to work together to deliver superior results.
Are Cutting Edge MLS Therapy Lasers class IV lasers? Yes, the MIX5 is a class IV laser with a peak power of 25 watts.
What is the depth of penetration of the MLS laser? The depth of penetration varies but in most cases it will penetrate 4-5 cm (~1.5inches).
How many treatments are usually needed to get results? Results can often been felt after the first treatment. To get the most definitive and long lasting benefit, 6-10 treatments are usually required. The treatments are cumulative and are delivered 2 – 3 times per week.
Is the treatment covered by insurance? At this time insurance does not cover the cost.
How was MLS Therapy developed and tested? MLS Therapy has been developed and tested following a strict course of biomedical and clinical research. The effectiveness of the combination of the emissions making up the MLS pulse was initially tested in vitro on cellular cultures, then in vivo on animals, and finally by means of controlled clinical trials run by major state-of-the-art health organizations for treating traumatic and degenerative painful diseases.
To find out if MLS Laser Therapy is right for you, call or book an appointment with a podiatrist.
For additional information:
Watch the MLS Laser Therapy Video to see the laser in action.