Barb, I’m very glad the laser treatment helped you and gave you some relief. I wanted to share a different experience, to add a note of caution.

I originally had orthopedic foot injuries and went to a podiatry office for Class IV pain laser treatment after being told it was risk-free. Unfortunately, I learned that the person administering the treatment had not done it before, and the technique used was not appropriate. These lasers are actually quite powerful and need to be kept moving in a sweeping motion, rather than held too long in one area.

In my case, both feet were burned during the treatment, and I developed neuropathic symptoms. Nearly a year later, I am still dealing with significant nerve pain and sensory symptoms. I have seen multiple specialists and had extensive testing to rule out other contributing causes.

Perhaps some may benefit from laser therapy, and I’m sincerely glad you did. I want others to be aware that Class IV lasers can potentially cause harm if they are not administered properly by someone well-trained and experienced. Anyone considering this treatment may want to ask specifically about the provider’s training, experience, settings used, safety protocols, and technique.

Wishing everyone here relief and healing.