Cold Laser Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis in Adelaide

Photobiomodulation is one option that may be considered for plantar heel pain, alongside assessment, load management and exercise advice where clinically appropriate.

Plantar fasciitis commonly causes sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning, after rest, or after long periods on your feet. Research suggests photobiomodulation may help some people with plantar heel pain, particularly when used as part of a broader management plan. Individual responses vary.

Book a Consultation
Call (08) 8297 5277

Suitability is discussed before care begins. Individual responses vary.

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park
Initial consultation: $99
Standard consultation: $120
No lock-in plans
The decision is always yours

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
Private-pay cold laser service
Open Monday to Saturday
Assessment before suitability

Does this sound familiar?

Plantar heel pain can show up differently depending on your work, footwear, training load and daily routine. These patterns can help you decide whether it is worth booking an assessment.

First-step heel painSharp heel pain when you first get out of bed or stand after sitting.

Running or walking flare-upsHeel or arch pain that builds during a run, walk or sport session, then returns after rest.

Desk-to-standing discomfortPain when standing after time at a desk, especially in harder work shoes.

Long hours on hard floorsA heel ache that builds through a shift, especially in boots or on concrete.

Symptoms can have different causes. A consultation is used to assess whether this approach is suitable for you. Individual responses vary.

Quick answers before you book

$99 initial consultation
$120 standard consultation
Private pay
No lock-in plans
Progress reviewed regularly

If these patterns sound familiar, an assessment can help clarify whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for your presentation.

What happens at your first visit

You explain the problem

Your visit starts with a conversation about your heel pain, activity level, footwear, work demands and health history.

Suitability is assessed

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) assesses the area and discusses whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for your presentation.

Your options are explained

You are told what is being considered, what the limits are, and what other options may be worth discussing.

You decide

No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours. Any care is discussed after assessment and reviewed regularly.

All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.

The aim is to make the next step clear: what may be contributing to your heel pain, whether photobiomodulation may be suitable, and what other management options may be worth considering.

Individual responses vary. Not all presentations are suitable for photobiomodulation.

Book a plantar fasciitis consultation

Discuss whether cold laser therapy may be appropriate for your heel pain presentation.

$99

Initial consultation, assessment and care where clinically appropriate

Book a Consultation

528 Marion RoadNo lock-in plansPrivate pay

Booking a consultation does not mean treatment is suitable or required. Suitability is discussed after assessment. Individual responses vary.

How photobiomodulation may help

Photobiomodulation uses selected wavelengths of light applied to the affected region. For plantar fasciitis, published research suggests it may help some people with pain and function, especially when combined with exercise or load-management advice.

Multi Radiance MR5 ACTIV PRO cold laser therapy handheld device with protective eyewear — The MR5 ACTIV PRO photobiomodulation device used at Adelaide Cold Laser.

The aim is not to promise a specific result. The aim is to assess whether this approach is a reasonable option for your presentation, then review progress over time.

This section summarises general research and clinical reasoning. It does not guarantee a result or replace individual assessment. Individual responses vary.

Evidence snapshot

The evidence base for plantar fasciitis includes randomised trials and meta-analyses. The clearest message is that photobiomodulation may be useful for some people as part of a broader plan, especially when paired with exercise or usual care.

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Naterstad et al., 2022, BMJ Open

This review of randomised controlled trials reported that low-level laser therapy was associated with reduced plantar heel pain, with stronger effects when paired with exercise in the analysed protocols.

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Wang et al., 2019, Medicine

This review of randomised controlled trials reported improved pain and function outcomes compared with control care in the included plantar fasciitis studies.

Randomised controlled trial

Cinar et al., 2018, Lasers in Medical Science

This trial included 49 participants and compared laser plus usual care with usual care alone. The study reported improvements in pain and function in the laser plus usual care group.

Research summaries describe study findings, not a promise of individual results. Study protocols do not determine your care plan. Suitability and any ongoing care are discussed after assessment.

When to seek urgent medical advice

Please seek medical advice promptly if heel or foot pain follows significant trauma, is associated with fever, marked swelling, redness, numbness, unexplained weight loss, night pain, or an inability to bear weight.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are urgent, contact your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice. In an emergency, call 000.

Common questions about plantar fasciitis and cold laser therapy

Why does my heel hurt with the first steps in the morning?

Many people with plantar fasciitis notice sharper pain after rest, especially with the first steps in the morning. The plantar fascia and calf complex can feel stiffer after being unloaded, then symptoms may ease as you move. This pattern can be consistent with plantar fasciitis, but an assessment is needed to consider your individual presentation.

Should I stop running or walking?

Not always. Some people need temporary changes to load, footwear, pace, terrain or recovery. Others can keep some activity while symptoms are monitored. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) can discuss what may be reasonable for your situation.

Is cold laser therapy generally well tolerated?

Photobiomodulation is non-invasive and published plantar fasciitis studies commonly report adverse events as uncommon. It is still not suitable for every presentation. Your health history, medications, treatment area and goals should be reviewed before discussing whether it may be appropriate for you.

How many visits will I need?

That is not decided from the website. Your presentation, history, response and goals are reviewed before any ongoing care is discussed. There are no lock-in plans, and the decision is always yours.

Can cold laser therapy be used with exercises or orthotics?

Often, plantar fasciitis care involves more than one strategy. Depending on your presentation, exercise, footwear, load management, orthotics or GP input may be worth discussing. Photobiomodulation is one option that may be considered where clinically appropriate.

These answers are general information only. They do not replace assessment or professional advice. Individual responses vary.

Talk through your heel pain clearly

If plantar heel pain is affecting work, walking, exercise or your first steps in the morning, a consultation can help you understand whether photobiomodulation may be appropriate for you.