laserHeel pain is one of the most common problems of the foot, accounting for up to 15% of foot-related symptoms presenting to physicians and 1% of all visits to orthopedic surgeons.  The clinical manifestations can be disabling, and despite its high incidence, the specific cause
of plantar fasciitis is poorly understood although it may be associated with systemic disease, local changes to the plantar fascia tissue, or altered foot and ankle biomechanics. Numerous treatment options exist, including stretching, night splints, orthotics, casting, steroid injections, and anti-inflammatory medications.  Because there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of any single treatment, the treatment of plantar fasciitis can be frustrating.  A recent study found that patients treated with low level laser therapy (cold laser) demonstrated a mean improvement in heel pain VAS from 67.8 out of 100 (100 is most possible pain level) at baseline to 6.9 out of 100 (zero is least possible pain level) at the 12-month follow-up period.  The authors conclude that low-level laser therapy may be considered as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.