MLS laser therapy and sports injuries: what active adults and parents should know
Spring can mean more time outdoors, a return to running or a busy calendar of children’s sport. When an injury gets in the way, the questions are usually practical: can I keep exercising, what should I change, and what might help?
For active adults and parents of young athletes, understanding the treatment options can make decisions about an injury feel more manageable. At Belrose Frenchs Forest Podiatry Centre, Cesar Puertolas offers MLS Laser Therapy as a possible part of sports injury care. This guide explains what the treatment involves, when it may be considered and what to ask before starting.
What is MLS laser therapy?
MLS stands for Multiwave Locked System. It uses specific wavelengths of light directed at the treatment area. You may also see it called photobiomodulation, the technical name for this type of light therapy.
The useful question is whether it has a role in your recovery. That starts with understanding your injury, what you are finding difficult and what you want to get back to.
Could laser help with my sports injury?
Laser may be an option for some injuries after an assessment. Cesar will need to consider what is causing the problem, how long it has been there, your medical history and any treatment you are already having.
Be specific about your goals. Perhaps you want to finish a weekend walk comfortably, build back up to running or help your child return to training. Those details help make the discussion relevant to everyday life.
How could laser fit into my recovery plan?
An appointment with Cesar is an opportunity to understand where laser could fit into your care and what to do between visits. If it is suitable for your injury, MLS Laser Therapy may sit alongside exercises, changes to training and a gradual return to activity. Cesar can discuss its intended role and how it could fit with treatment you are already receiving.
The aim is to leave with a clear next step: what you can keep doing, what needs adjusting and when to review your progress. Whether your priority is a regular morning walk or your child’s weekend sport, the plan should reflect that goal. Treatment choices and results vary with the injury and the person.
What if my child plays a lot of sport?
A school training session, club practice and a weekend match can make for a busy week, especially when your child plays more than one sport. Write down the whole schedule, including rest days, so Cesar can see the full picture.
Children are still growing, so their care needs to take their age and stage of development into account. If you are considering laser for your child, ask whether it is suitable for their particular injury, what evidence supports its use and what precautions are needed.
You should also leave with a clear understanding of what your child can keep doing, what may need a break and when to check in again. Ask for advice you can share with their coach, so everyone is working from the same plan.
If your child already sees a physiotherapist or another health professional, bring their current plan and any relevant reports. This helps Cesar consider how laser might fit with the care already underway.
If the pain eases, can I go straight back to sport?
It is encouraging when an injury feels more comfortable, but feeling better is only one part of being ready to play again. Laser does not replace the exercises or gradual return to activity recommended for your injury.
After an ankle sprain, for example, a clinician may also check movement, strength, balance and confidence, along with the ability to manage sports movements and training. Ask which steps matter for your injury and who will guide you through them.
Questions worth taking to your appointment
- What is causing the problem, and do I need any further tests?
- Could laser help in my situation, and what are my other options?
- Are there any risks or precautions I should know about, and what will it cost?
- How will we know whether treatment is helping, and when will we review it?
- What can I or my child safely do between appointments?
Bring a short note of when the problem started and which activities bring it on. Mention any upcoming events or competitions too. There is no standard number of sessions that suits every injury, so ask how the proposed plan will be reviewed before committing to a course.
When should I seek help sooner?
Some injuries need prompt medical assessment. If your child has an ankle injury and cannot put weight on it, has tenderness over the bones or pain that cannot be controlled, seek medical advice rather than waiting for a laser appointment. Symptoms that persist also deserve a review.
Talk to Cesar about your next step
If a foot or lower limb injury is affecting your activity, or your child’s sport, an assessment can help you understand the problem and discuss the options. Cesar can talk you through whether MLS Laser Therapy may have a place in your care.
Call (02) 9451 9432 or use the clinic’s contact page to arrange an appointment. Belrose Frenchs Forest Podiatry Centre welcomes patients from Frenchs Forest, Belrose and the surrounding Northern Beaches. To arrange an appointment, call or use the website contact option.
General information only. Treatment recommendations require an individual assessment.
References
Clinic: Cesar’s clinical interests and care approach
Clinic: MLS Laser Therapy service information
American Academy of Pediatrics: overuse injuries and training demands in young athletes