By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida

The foot and ankle are the foundation of every step, and in South Florida, where walking the Hollywood Beach boardwalk, running Broward County’s trails, kayaking, and staying active year-round is a way of life, foot and ankle pain can have an outsized impact on daily function and quality of life. From chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy to ankle sprains that have not fully healed and chronic arch pain, the foot and ankle conditions seen in Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County are commonly evaluated for tissue-level conservative care. Hollywood Laser Pain Center offers the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol as part of a non-surgical care approach for these conditions.

Foot conditions that have not responded fully to orthotics, stretching, and cortisone injections often involve tissue-level changes rather than active inflammation alone. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis persisting beyond six weeks, Achilles tendinopathy, and chronic ankle instability are commonly evaluated for additional conservative care options as part of an updated treatment plan.

At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I have treated foot and ankle conditions as part of my comprehensive musculoskeletal practice for more than 27 years. My evaluation includes both local tissue assessment and kinetic chain analysis, recognizing that what hurts at the foot often has contributing factors at the calf, knee, hip, and lower back.

What Are the Most Common Foot and Ankle Conditions Limiting Broward County Patients?

Plantar fasciitis, the degenerative tendinosis of the plantar fascia, is the most common cause of heel pain in active adults and those who stand or walk for extended periods, affecting approximately 2 million Americans annually. Histopathologic research, including the foundational Lemont study, has established that chronic plantar fasciitis is more accurately described as a tendinosis than an inflammatory condition, which has shaped clinical thinking about why anti-inflammatory treatments such as cortisone often produce limited results in chronic cases.

Achilles tendinopathy, progressive degeneration of the Achilles tendon, is among the most prevalent lower-limb tendinopathies, particularly in runners and cyclists. Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has reported that Achilles tendinopathy accounts for approximately 8 to 11 percent of running-related injuries. Lateral ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability, affecting an estimated 40 percent of patients following acute ankle sprain in published research, are particularly relevant for Broward County’s active outdoor population navigating uneven surfaces on trails, docks, and beaches.

How Is the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Used for Foot and Ankle Conditions at Hollywood Laser Pain Center?

At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses near-infrared laser energy directed at the specific structures involved, including the plantar fascia, the Achilles tendon, the lateral ankle ligaments, and the subtalar and ankle joints, as part of a non-surgical care plan. Photobiomodulation has been studied for its cellular-level effects, with published research examining its relationship to fibroblast activity, organized collagen synthesis, neovascularization patterns associated with chronic tendinosis, and tissue remodeling environments.

Research published in Lasers in Medical Science has examined photobiomodulation in patients with plantar fasciitis, with multiple studies reporting reductions in pain and improvements in function. Research in the American Journal of Sports Medicine has examined laser therapy in Achilles tendinopathy and reported improvements in pain and functional outcomes. Each treatment plan is developed on an individual basis following clinical evaluation.

What Does Graston Technique Add for Foot Patients?

Chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy often involve accumulated disorganized collagen and adhesion formation that is generally understood to require mechanical input to support organized healing. Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization method. Applied to the plantar fascia, calcaneal attachment, Achilles tendon, and calf musculature, it is designed to address fascial restrictions and influence soft tissue mechanics. For patients with ankle instability, the same approach can be applied to the lateral ligament and peroneal tendon areas as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

What Does the Foot-to-Spine Connection Mean for Broward County Patients?

Excessive pronation, the inward rolling of the foot during weight-bearing, can create rotational forces that travel up through the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back. Patients with chronic knee, hip, or lumbar pain sometimes have a contributing foot mechanics pattern that has not yet been identified in earlier evaluations. My evaluation of foot and ankle patients extends to the full lower-extremity kinetic chain, with attention to foot mechanics contributors to more proximal pain alongside the local presentation.

Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact Hollywood Laser Pain Center at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333.

About the Author

Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/

Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. He holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture, is a former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.