Revised 2023 APTA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis Upgrades Therapeutic Laser Recommendation

Clinicians should use laser therapy to decrease pain for acute and chronic plantar fasciitis

Laser therapy received a grade B recommendation in the newly released 2023 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for managing plantar fasciitis. This is an upgrade from a grade C recommendation in the 2014 guidelines.¹

During the past 10 years, a substantial amount of peer-reviewed literature has been published supporting laser therapy as a treatment option for musculoskeletal pain.

We are pleased to see that APTA recognizes the quality scientific evidence published over the last decade and has determined to give laser therapy a higher recommendation in its latest CPG. The upgraded rating means that physical therapists should no longer just consider adding laser therapy to their treatment protocol for acute and chronic plantar fasciitis, but, in fact, should be offering this treatment modality to help improve their patient’s pain.¹ Click here to access the CPG.

Ready to add LightForce® laser therapy to your clinic?

Laser therapy can be used for more than just plantar fasciitis. LightForce® lasers are FDA cleared to treat minor muscle and joint pain, joint stiffness, arthritis pain, and muscle spasms so there is a multitude of ways that you can incorporate laser therapy to help give your patients a better outcome.

In addition to plantar fasciitis, the APTA recognizes laser therapy as a treatment option for acute ankle pain and acute and chronic neck pain.^2,3 The American College of Physicians includes laser therapy in its recommendations for chronic low back pain.⁴

Laser therapy is a modality backed by scientific research and supported by clinical evidence to relieve musculoskeletal pain. To speak to a Chattanooga® representative or to request a demo, please visit http://learn.chattanoogarehab.com/2024-blog-demo-request.

References

1. Koc TA Jr, Bise CG, Neville C, Carreira D, Martin RL, McDonough CM. Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(12):CPG1-CPG39. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.0303
2. Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(4):CPG1-CPG80. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0302
3. Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0302
4. Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. doi:10.7326/M16-2367

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