Plantar fasciitis is a common condition involving pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia — the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot from heel to toes. It typically causes sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning. Research suggests photobiomodulation (cold laser therapy) may help reduce this pain, with some studies reporting relief lasting up to three months.
🏥 Est. 1972
💳 All major health funds accepted
📍 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park
Does this sound familiar?
🏃 Active Adults & Weekend Warriors
What you might be feeling:
- A sharp stab in your heel with the first steps after sitting or sleeping
- Heel pain during or after running that limits your distance
- A deep ache in the arch that builds during exercise
- Pain that improves with movement but returns after rest
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in active adults. Runners, tennis players, and those who play sports involving repeated jumping or direction changes are particularly susceptible. The plantar fascia absorbs significant load with each step — up to 2.5 times your body weight during running. When load exceeds the tissue’s capacity to recover, pain develops.
The Adelaide Cold Laser connection: Research suggests that photobiomodulation alongside exercise may provide greater pain relief than exercise alone. An 18-study analysis found that the combination reduced pain by 18.15 mm on the VAS scale. Treatment does not require rest from activity.
A proper assessment: If heel pain is limiting your training, an assessment can help determine whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate alongside your current management.
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💻 Office & Desk Workers
What you might be feeling:
- Limping for the first few minutes every morning before your foot “warms up”
- Heel pain when standing up after long periods at your desk
- Discomfort wearing work shoes, especially flats or hard-soled shoes
- Pain that has been building gradually over weeks or months
Office workers often develop plantar fasciitis from the combination of prolonged sitting (which tightens the calf and plantar fascia) and unsupportive footwear. The transition from sitting to standing repeatedly loads the fascia at its tightest point. Many people dismiss early heel pain as minor, only to find it progressively worsens.
The Adelaide Cold Laser connection: Our location at 528 Marion Road suits commuters heading to or from the city. Sessions are brief. No time off work required. We are open from 7am.
A proper assessment: If morning heel pain has become your new normal, an assessment can clarify what is driving it and whether cold laser therapy may help.
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👷 Tradies & Physical Workers
What you might be feeling:
- Stabbing heel pain first thing in the morning that makes you dread getting out of bed
- Pain standing on hard surfaces like concrete all day
- Heel aching that builds through a shift and peaks by afternoon
- Difficulty wearing work boots comfortably
Trades workers who stand on hard surfaces for long hours — concreters, tilers, electricians, warehouse staff — are among the most common plantar fasciitis presentations we see. Hard surfaces offer no shock absorption, and steel-capped boots often lack adequate arch support. The constant load on the plantar fascia throughout a 10–12 hour shift can exceed the tissue’s capacity to repair.
The Adelaide Cold Laser connection: Cold laser therapy is non-invasive with no downtime. You can return to work immediately after a session. Many tradies on the Marion Road corridor fit sessions in before or after work.
A proper assessment: If heel pain is the first thing you feel every morning, it is unlikely to resolve on its own. An assessment can help determine what may be contributing.
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🧓 Retirees & Older Adults
What you might be feeling:
- Heel pain that limits your daily walk or garden time
- Stiffness in the sole of your foot after resting in a chair
- Difficulty walking barefoot on hard floors
- Pain that has made you less active than you would like
Plantar fasciitis affects people of all ages, but changes in tissue elasticity and foot biomechanics with age can increase susceptibility. Reduced activity — often in response to pain — can create a cycle where inactivity leads to further tissue stiffness, which worsens symptoms.
The Adelaide Cold Laser connection: Treatment is gentle and comfortable. There are no needles, no medication and no side effects. We see many patients who prefer non-invasive approaches to pain management. Saturday morning appointments are available.
A proper assessment: If heel pain has been limiting your activities, an assessment can help determine whether photobiomodulation may be a suitable option.
Book a Consultation
How photobiomodulation may help plantar fasciitis
Research from 18 randomised controlled trials suggests that photobiomodulation may help reduce heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis, with the strongest evidence supporting its use alongside exercise. Some studies report pain relief lasting up to three months after completing treatment.
The plantar fascia is a dense connective tissue that can become irritated and painful when subjected to repetitive overload. Unlike muscles, the plantar fascia has a relatively limited blood supply, which may contribute to slower healing.
What the research suggests may occur with PBM:
- Pain reduction — A meta-analysis of 18 RCTs found that LLLT significantly reduced pain at the end of treatment (13.15 mm VAS, 95% CI 7.82–18.48) and at follow-up 4–12 weeks later
- Sustained relief — A separate meta-analysis found that pain relief may persist for up to 3 months after treatment
- Enhanced exercise outcomes — When combined with exercise, PBM produced greater pain reductions (18.15 mm VAS) than exercise alone
- No adverse events — No adverse events were reported across any of the included trials
Photobiomodulation delivers specific wavelengths of light energy into the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues. At the cellular level, this energy is absorbed by chromophores in the mitochondria, which may enhance cellular metabolism and modulate the inflammatory response in the affected tissue.
Individual responses to photobiomodulation vary. The strongest evidence supports its use alongside exercise and standard care rather than as a standalone treatment. A thorough clinical assessment is recommended before commencing any treatment plan.
The evidence
📊 SYSTEMATIC REVIEW · BMJ Open · 2022
Naterstad IF et al. — 18 RCTs
The most comprehensive analysis of cold laser therapy for lower extremity tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. Eighteen randomised controlled trials were included, comparing LLLT to placebo, other interventions and as an add-on treatment. Pain was significantly reduced at the end of therapy (13.15 mm VAS, 95% CI 7.82–18.48) and sustained at 4–12 weeks follow-up (12.56 mm VAS, 95% CI 5.69–19.42). As an add-on to exercise, the recommended doses produced even greater pain reductions (18.15 mm VAS, 95% CI 10.55–25.76). No adverse events were reported.
PMID: 36171024 | DOI
Published in BMJ Open. Individual responses vary.
📊 SYSTEMATIC REVIEW · Medicine · 2019
Wang W et al. — 6 RCTs
This analysis found that LLLT significantly reduced VAS pain scores compared to control groups at the end of treatment. Notably, improvement was sustained for up to 3 months post-treatment — suggesting that the benefits of photobiomodulation may extend well beyond the treatment period itself.
PMID: 30653125 | DOI
Published in Medicine. Individual responses vary.
📊 RCT · Lasers in Medical Science · 2018
Cinar E, Saxena S, Uygur F — 49 participants
This double-arm RCT compared LLLT plus usual care (exercise and orthotic support) against usual care alone. The LLLT group showed sustained improvement in foot and ankle function scores and significantly lower pain at 3 months (p=0.03). The 850 nm wavelength used in this trial is within the range of our Multi-Radiance MR5 device.
PMID: 29273892 | DOI
Published in Lasers in Medical Science. Individual responses vary.
“LLLT significantly reduces pain and disability in lower extremity tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis in the short and medium term.”
— Naterstad et al., BMJ Open, 2022
What to expect — Treatment walkthrough
Your first visit ($99)
- Assessment — Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will assess your foot and ankle, including the plantar fascia, calf flexibility, foot biomechanics and walking pattern. This helps determine whether photobiomodulation is appropriate for your presentation.
- Treatment — The Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO (ARTG-listed, 370913) is applied to the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues. Treatment is painless — most people feel gentle warmth or nothing at all. A typical session for plantar fasciitis takes approximately 10 minutes.
- Your plan — Based on the assessment, Dr Johnson will discuss whether a course of treatment may be appropriate and what complementary approaches (stretching, footwear modification, load management) may support your recovery. No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.
Standard visits (from $80)
Follow-up sessions focus on treatment delivery and progress review. The evidence suggests results are typically observed over a course of treatment.
Red Flags — When to See Your GP Urgently
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- 🔴 Sudden, severe heel pain after a pop or snap (may indicate plantar fascia rupture)
- 🔴 Heel pain with fever, redness and warmth (may indicate infection)
- 🔴 Numbness or tingling in the foot (may indicate nerve involvement)
- 🔴 Heel pain that wakes you at night and is not related to position (may warrant further investigation)
- 🔴 Unexplained weight loss combined with persistent foot pain
These symptoms require medical assessment beyond the scope of cold laser therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my heel hurt first thing in the morning?
During sleep, the plantar fascia contracts to a shortened position. When you take your first steps, the fascia is suddenly stretched under your full body weight. This creates the characteristic sharp pain that many people describe as feeling like “stepping on a nail.” The pain often eases after a few minutes of walking as the tissue warms up and lengthens. If this pattern sounds familiar, it is one of the most recognisable signs of plantar fasciitis.
Should I stop running?
Complete rest is rarely the answer and can sometimes make things worse by allowing the tissue to decondition further. The key is load management — finding the right balance between staying active and not overloading the fascia. Research suggests that photobiomodulation combined with appropriate exercise produces better outcomes than either approach alone. We can help you modify your training load rather than abandoning it.
Will orthotics help?
Orthotics can play a role in managing plantar fasciitis by redistributing load across the foot. However, they address biomechanics rather than the tissue itself. Photobiomodulation works at the cellular level and may complement orthotic use. During your assessment, we can discuss whether orthotics may be helpful alongside cold laser therapy.
How much does treatment cost at Adelaide Cold Laser?
Your first visit is $99, which includes a thorough assessment and treatment where clinically appropriate. Standard sessions start from $80. Most private health funds cover part of the cost under chiropractic extras. No lock-in plans. If you prepay for sessions you do not end up using, we refund them in full.
I have already tried cortisone injections — will cold laser be any different?
Photobiomodulation works through a completely different mechanism. Cortisone injections suppress local inflammation (temporarily), whereas cold laser therapy delivers light energy that may influence cellular metabolism and tissue repair processes. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive. Some patients explore photobiomodulation when they prefer to avoid repeat injections or when injection relief has been short-lived. Individual responses vary.
How long until I notice a difference?
The research suggests that pain reduction from photobiomodulation is typically observed over a course of treatment rather than after a single session. The largest meta-analysis found that pain was significantly reduced at the end of treatment and sustained at 4–12 weeks follow-up. Some people notice improvement within the first few sessions; others take longer. During your assessment, Dr Sam Johnson will discuss realistic expectations based on your presentation.
What is the evidence for cold laser therapy for plantar fasciitis?
The evidence base is strong. An 18-study meta-analysis published in BMJ Open (2022) found significant pain reductions both at the end of treatment and at follow-up. A separate analysis in Medicine (2019) found pain relief sustained for up to 3 months. An RCT in Lasers in Medical Science (2018) found that laser plus usual care outperformed usual care alone for function and pain at 3 months. No adverse events were reported across any included trials.
Is this the same as those laser devices you can buy online?
No. Consumer laser devices typically deliver far lower energy levels than clinical-grade equipment. The Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO is an ARTG-listed (370913) medical device that delivers super-pulsed laser at 905 nm alongside 875 nm infrared and 640 nm red light. The clinical trials supporting photobiomodulation for plantar fasciitis used devices with specific power and wavelength characteristics — consumer products generally do not meet these parameters.
Is my plantar fasciitis caused by flat feet?
Flat feet (pes planus) can be a contributing factor, but plantar fasciitis occurs in people with all foot types. Overpronation, high arches, tight calves, sudden increases in activity, and time spent on hard surfaces are all recognised contributors. An assessment can help identify what factors may be relevant to your situation specifically.
Can plantar fasciitis come back after treatment?
Recurrence is possible, particularly if the underlying contributing factors are not addressed. This is why a comprehensive approach — addressing load, footwear, flexibility and biomechanics alongside photobiomodulation — typically produces better long-term outcomes than any single treatment in isolation.
Related conditions
References
- Naterstad IF et al. (2022). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in patients with lower extremity tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis. BMJ Open, 12(9):e059479. PMID: 36171024
- Wang W et al. (2019). Clinical efficacy of low-level laser therapy in plantar fasciitis. Medicine, 98(3):e14088. PMID: 30653125
- Cinar E et al. (2018). Low-level laser therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial. Lasers in Medical Science, 33(5):949-958. PMID: 29273892
About Adelaide Cold Laser
Practitioner: Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
Qualifications: BSc(Chiro), MChiro — Macquarie University
Practice: Adelaide Cold Laser, 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038
Phone: (08) 8297 5277
Hours: Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, Sat 8am–12pm
Device: Multi-Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO (ARTG 370913)
Last clinically reviewed: April 2026 by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Photobiomodulation (cold laser therapy) is a complementary approach. Individual responses vary. All clinical claims are supported by peer-reviewed research cited in the references section. If you are unsure whether cold laser therapy is appropriate for your situation, please discuss with your treating health professional.
