Laser Treatment Reviews
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
I am 40 years old and an avid runner. I had developed plantar fasciitis that caused sharp pain when I would wake in the morning. It was very difficult to take those first few steps out of bed. It had progressed so that it was even painful to get out of my car after driving for 15 minutes or after sitting for any period of time. The pain in my right heel was around a 7 out of 10.
I dealt with this pain for about a year and a half. I had tried massage, heat, ice and even purchased a night splint. There was little relief after doing this for several months. I finally decided to see a doctor about it and was referred to Dr. Bocian. He and his staff were so wonderful. They were committed to improving my health and getting me back to my active lifestyle. Dr. Bocian suggested laser therapy and I was so desperate for relief because I felt like I had tried everything else and nothing had worked. It took a few treatments for me to start to notice a change. By 10 treatments I was about 90% improved so he gave me a couple more treatments. It's been 3 months since my last laser treatment and I can gladly say I am 100%!
I no longer have pain from plantar fasciitis and am back to running with no pain! I use heel cushions and continue to stretch and massage to keep healthy, but I am completely satisfied with the laser treatment! There was no down time. I continued to run during treatments (a little less than normal to promote healing) and I'm currently training for a big race! I would absolutely recommend this treatment for anyone that has suffered with symptoms of plantar fasciitis. It has given me my life back!
J.S.
4/5/2023
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
As a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) I experienced my share of body aches and pains attributed to the career I so enjoyed. But when I started to experience extreme foot pain in 2015 I knew this was not typical aches and pains associated with the job.
I headed straight to a podiatrist who diagnosed my foot pain as plantar fasciitis. Treatment consisted of exercises, custom orthotics, and cortisone injections. After approximately three months the pain subsided and I resumed my regular physical activity of running several times a week and backcountry hiking several miles a week. Fast forward to 2018 and the plantar fasciitis came back.
I started a regime of rest, foot stretching exercises, and new orthotics. Again after four or so months the pain subsided and I resumed all normal activities including running several times a week and hiking. Fast forward to May of 2021 this is when my plantar fasciitis came back with a vengeance.
Again I started the regime of rest, exercise, and new orthotics. The rest came fairly easy as I retired a few months later.
I found a new passion in retirement that included my time, family time and rest (haha). Since newly retired I was patient with the extreme plantar fasciitis pain, I soon found out that I was just as busy as I was prior to retirement and the foot pain continued to persist. I stayed patient with the pain thinking it would go away as it had the previous two flare ups, boy I was wrong. I found myself staying off my feet for extended hours throughout the day and eventually started using crutches.
That’s where Dr. Bocian came in, I finally made an appointment with him due to the excruciating pain. Dr. Bocian was very attentive and sympathetic as I gave him all the sordid details on how I came to see him.
Dr. Bocian provided some options for dealing with my plantar fasciitis that I had previously tried and one that caused some skepticism on my part. This skepticism was born out of Dr. Bocian’s suggestion of laser treatments.
Dr. Bocian provided literature on GentleMax Pro laser treatment, I went home discussed this alternative with my wife and went online, and read everything I could find on this kind of treatment for plantar fasciitis.
As skeptical as I was, I was willing to try this treatment.
My first few sessions did not really yield any positive results, I was reassured by Dr. Bocian to be patient. As I continued these painless short sessions my foot pain started to subside to the point that I was convinced that something good was happening. I completed all the sessions that Dr. Bocian recommended and now I’m close to 100% pain free. The laser treatment not only took the pain away it gave me a new lease on retirement, oh how I love chasing my now fourteen month old granddaughter around the yard.
L.R.
1/3/2023
Testimonial: High Intenity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
In the spring of 2018, I had the sensation of walking on a stone in my shoe and was diagnosed with a neuroma on my right foot. Chose not to have surgery to remove the neuroma. Sharp, burning pain which was progressively getting worse. Pain is worse when barefoot. Level of pain from 8-10 when walking. Cortisone injection helped as well as a custom orthotic for several months but then the pain returned. I had the symptoms for about 6 months before learning about laser treatment.
After several laser treatments, the pain was completely gone and I was able to return to all my normal activities. To date, I am still pain free.
I am very satisfied with the treatment and have recommended it to others.
B. Q.
1/26/2023
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Prior to laser treatment, my plantar fasciitis symptoms included intermittent and variable burning and aching when getting up from sitting for more than 20 minutes. While in bed at night, it would often ache and throb.
2. My plantar fasciitis would interrupt my sleep often. It made sports, long walks and hikes difficult and painful.
3.I’ve suffered with this for three years, despite a variety of treatments. It has now evolved into plantar fasciosis (plantar fasciopathy).
4. Previous treatments included custom orthotics, supportive shoes, alternating heat and ice, night splint, massage, physical therapy, cortisone shots, and even PRP (plasma rich platelets). While my condition improved, it never fully cleared up.
5. My condition improved slowly with five laser treatments. After the sixth laser treatment, relief grew at a much faster rate.
6. Two months after the tenth laser treatment, I have 95% improvement.
7. I no longer have pain when getting up from sitting, no matter how long. I occasionally have soreness in the heel or light throbbing, which occur less and less.
8. My symptoms continue to improve, and I look forward to a 100% recovery.
9. The results for me are nothing short of remarkable! And without cutting, pain, downtime, or infringement on my usual activities.
10. My insurance doesn't cover the treatment, but for me, it's been worth every penny
11. I recommend this treatment to anyone who has a lingering case of plantar fasciitis.
F.B.
1/16/2023
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
I am a nurse and have suffered from plantar fasciitis off and on since 2008. In the past physical therapy, steroidal injections & ice have helped significantly, but after 2021 nothing seemed to help & it was affecting my work & my ability to hike even short distances. In my profession I have to wear lead aprons & stand for long periods of time.
I received a steroid injection in 2022 which did not help. Dr Bocian discussed the laser therapy with me and supplied me with complying data that supported its use and effectiveness so I decided to try it. After only 4 treatments I was excited to feel a big difference & reduction of my pain. The treatments allowed me to work without constant pain, I was hiking longer distances & so relieved to find something was actually working!
I ended up taking 12 treatments with a 99% reduction of my pain. By 2 months after that I can walk, hike and stand with my lead apron for extended 1-3 hours at a time 100% pain free!! I am so happy with the response to the laser treatments. Of course I still use good shoes with arch support, but I can walk bare footed, I just try not to as this can aggravate my condition
Dr.Bocian & his staff are wonderful, knowledgeable & devoted to helping their patients. I highly recommend laser treatments for plantar fasciitis.
Thank you,
G.T.
12/10/2022
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for My Morton’s Neuroma
7 years ago, I was treated by Dr. Bocian for Morton's neuroma. I was in severe pain, was given several cortisone
shots, that helped for a while but eventually I was back to the same pain. I tried orthotics and it didn't make any difference.
Dr. Bocian prescribed 10 Laser treatments, after which I had no pain and have not had a problem since. I would most definitely recommend this treatment for the alleviation of pain from Morton's neuroma.
Thank you for these treatments.
S.T.
08/03/2022
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fibroma
In 2011 I was surgically treated by Dr. Landon of Tucson Orthopedic Institute for a diagnosed Morton’s Neuroma on my right foot. Following the surgery and the long recovery, I no longer had pain in the area of the neuroma but had a lot of pain in the ball of my foot, which was later diagnosed as scar tissue, requiring me to wear orthotics to relieve pressure. I still wear orthotics today to address that scar tissue.
In December of 2018 I sought medical attention for a painful lump in the arch of my left foot. Because I had to wear orthotics for my right foot, having an orthotic pressing up against the lump in my left foot was really debilitating. I again consulted a doctor at Tucson Orthopedic Institute, but because I was not satisfied with the outcome of my Morton’s Neuroma surgery, I saw a different doctor. Dr. Cheleuitte diagnosed the lump in my foot as a plantar fibroma and told me absolutely to avoid any type of surgery as it would create more problems. He suggested that I try physical therapy, which I did, but it did not make much difference. He said there was no other successful treatment available.
In early 2019 I began taking my recently relocated elderly parents to Dr. Bocian, as he was highly recommended. Dr. Bocian treated my parents with professionalism and knowledgeable care, and after several visits with them, I decided to ask him about the lump on my left foot. I told him what I had done so far but that it was still there and painful to any kind of pressure. He encouraged me to make an appointment for myself so he could check it out.
I had my first visit with Dr. Bocian on 11/1/19. He confirmed the diagnosis as a plantar fibroma and performed an ultrasound to measure the size of the fibroma. He palpitated the fibroma producing a dull pain level of about a 6 or 7 on a scale of 10. He also examined the scar tissue on my right foot that had resulted from my earlier surgery. He told me that surgery was no longer the recommended treatment for Morton’s Neuroma, and he was sorry that I had gone through that. He said that because the scar tissue was 8+ years old and relatively extensive, his laser therapy might not be effective, but if I was willing to have the laser treatment on my left foot’s fibroma, he would see if the same therapy would be helpful on my scar tissue.
I began receiving the laser treatments on 12/6/20. I was supposed to receive 10 weekly treatments; I believe that I actually received 11. Dr. Bocian was checking on me intermittently following the treatments to ask how I was doing, and the laser therapist also questioned me regularly regarding my fibroma pain level, which seemed to be decreasing. On April 1, 2021, Dr. Bocian took another ultrasound to compare the size of the fibroma from prior to treatment to conclusion. I can attest that the sensitivity to pressure was greatly reduced, and the fibroma itself seemed to be flatter. As time has passed, I believe that the pain has continued to reduce, and I am not bothered by any pain at this point. The lump is still there, although flatter, but I am 100% pain free. What a relief to have that in my past! The scar tissue in my right foot did not appreciably change, and I assume it was, as Dr. Bocian warned me, likely too old to be impacted by the laser. I regret that I didn’t know Dr. Bocian back in 2011!
I am very thankful that I had the laser treatment on my plantar fibroma and would definitely call it successful. I have referred other friends to his practice since that time. This is a wonderful treatment!
J.O.
7/8/22
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
1. Please describe the symptoms of your Morton’s neuroma prior to laser treatment.
I had sharp, stabbing pain in the ball of my left foot whenever I put weight on my foot. It felt like there was a rock or knot in the ball of my foot. I had numbness and tingling in my third and fourth toes as well. At times, unable to walk due to the pain.
2. Did your Morton’s neuroma interfere with activities of daily living or quality-of-life?
Yes, the Morton’s neuroma interfered with my daily living. I could not walk very far at a time and the rest of my body had to compensate for it, and a lot of limping. Even after short walks I had to rest my foot.
3. How long have you had your symptoms?
As I look back on it now, the symptoms were mild before May 2021. Never even knew I had a problem until on vacation in San Antonio and doing a lot of walking along the Riverwalk. Had to stop walking, sit down and take of my shoe and rub my foot for a while before I could continue on back to the hotel to rest. I could not put any weight on it.
4. Mention previous treatments prior to laser treatment including any injection(s), physical
therapy, shoe modifications, orthotic devices, surgery, etc.
Prior to seeing Dr. Bocian I thought the pain in my foot would go away, much like plantar fasciitis does. It didn’t. I used orthotics with arch supports and metatarsal bumps. I wore cushiony and supportive athletic shoes. I purchased new shoes with a roomier toebox. Starting in August 2021 I began seeing Dr. Bocian, and received three separate cortisone injections over the next three months. The injections worked temporarily, and in January 2022 I began the course of laser treatments – once a week for ten weeks.
5. Describe improvement following laser treatment.
Slowly but surely the laser treatments made a difference! By my tenth laser treatment I believe I was at 80%, a few additional treatments and I was at 90%. I no longer have constant pain in my foot. I do feel pain once in a while but nothing like I was experiencing before. I still wear comfy shoes, and sometimes a gel metatarsal pad. I am able to walk without pain! I even did some hiking in new, roomy hiking boots.
6. What % of improvement have you achieved following laser treatment?
I would say 90-95% right now.
7. How frequent is the pain, if any, following treatment?
The pain is minimal after the laser treatments. I rarely walk barefoot though as I feel it more then – could be because the ball of my foot doesn’t have much padding.
8. Describe your current symptoms now, if any, following laser treatment. Are your symptoms
continuing to improve, staying the same or getting worse?
The pain is minimal after the laser treatments. Soreness sometimes. Still not good to walk around barefooted. Symptoms have improved a bit since the completion of the laser treatments.
9. Has the laser treatment improved the quality of your life?
Yes, I can now walk without pain. I’m able to run my errands and do chores without having to rest my foot. I’m glad that there was a non-surgical treatment available. No down time, no healing time, and just a 15 minute office visit per week for 10 weeks.
10. Following completion of laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma are you…
Extremely satisfied
11. Would you recommend this laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma?
Definitely yes.
Having never had laser treatment prior to this, I didn’t expect the brief, hot/sharp pain from the laser when it was getting through the scar tissue. Natasha was right on it and rubbed the pain out. Didn’t happen too often.
After one visit I had a foot massage from Natasha. It really relaxed me and it was hard to work that day – too relaxed!
S.N.
7/7/22
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
I feel so fortunate to be able to report on the success of the laser treatment for plantar fasciitis. It is not an exaggeration to say that it gave me my life back!
I am 65 and have been active my whole life and like most folks, I have had a few bouts with plantar fasciitis but was able to resolve the condition within a couple of weeks by stretching and limiting activity.
Last fall I developed PF and assumed I would be able to work through it as usual. However, it continued to get worse even as I kept adding different treatments: orthotics, splints, Kineseo tape, massage, physical therapy, cortisone shots and foot exercises. I was unable to walk for more than a few minutes at a time (down from 3 hours a day) and I dreaded the excruciating pain of getting up from a seat so I didn’t move much during the day. I stayed inside because I felt unsate and embarrassed to be out in public with such a slow gait and pronounced limp. And nothing I could do would make the situation better. It felt like my life was over.
Enter Dr. Bocian who evaluated my condition and offered a therapy that sounded too good to be true. As I understand it, one of the problems with PF is the scar tissue that forms and because it is not elastic like the rest of the fascia it continues to tear the healthy tissue and makes healing a challenge. His laser treatment eliminates this scar tissue without damagin9 healthy tissue, is non-invasive, pain-free and does not require any downtime. It sounded too good to be true but I was ready to try!
The treatment consisted of 10 sessions — one per week — lasting under a half hour. Natasha, the technician, was highly skilled, very informative and delightful company. No pain, no recovery time.
I was informed that typically results would take a few weeks. My pain level was about a 7 to start and I noticed slight improvements the first few weeks. Week five was the game-changer with an 80% improvement by then and I was essentially pain free by the 8th treatment.
I am now 2 months from my final treatment with no pain and back to 100% of pre-plantar fasciitis activities. Thanks to the efforts ot Dr. Bocian and his staff I have learned invaluable information about proper foot/body mechanics so that I can be proactive about preventing PF. And I also know there is a solution if the problem reoccurs. One less body part to worry about!
So, in summary (and no surprise), I am 100% satisfied with the laser treatment and would certainly recommend it for plantar fasciitis.
K. E.
6/10/2022
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for My Morton’s Neuroma
For many months I was getting sharp sensations on the bottom of both feet. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would call it an 8. An 8 that was always present when I walked. I put up with it for many months. At work, I had a desk job so walking was a non-issue. It was when I had to go to construction sites that my feet situation became a problem for me.
I bought Dr. Scholls foot pads, I went to the VA for orthotic shoes and insoles. All of which brought my discomfort level down a point. I met Dr. Bocian and was told about his laser treatment. I started his laser treatment once a week for several weeks. The treatment was painless. As the treatment went on I started to notice comfort in my feet as I walked.
When the treatment concluded, without exaggeration I would say I Improved 100% , from an 8 level of discomfort to a 0. It’s now been five or six years since my laser treatment. There are no more “pebbles" in my shoes anymore. Not only am I extremely safisfied, I am elated! (I don’t think I ever used the word elated before).
I imagine thousands upon thousands of people could have their foot problems cured if only they were aware of this relief that can be had. So in a small way I would like to get the word out by saying, I highly recommend this treatment!
E.S.
6/9/2022
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fibroma
I am a patient of Dr. Bocian’s. I chose him after googling the best treatment for plantar fibromatosis. I was willing to travel just about anywhere for someone that could help me. I was fortunate enough to live close enough to make the 4 hour one way drive to these treatments. Here is a little background on me and my testimonial after completing 10 treatments with Dr. Bocian. I am a 40 year old operating room nurse. I have been a registered nurse for the last 15 years. I have a one year old son and am very active and physically fit. I have suffered plantar fasciitis/foot pain for the last 20 years. It has interfered with my daily activities more often than not, and was very discouraging. It is a 1.5-2 inch spot in my left arch that would increasingly start burning, sharp pain with walking/working out, etc over the day. The only relief would be an intense foot rub and overnight rest. I was constantly looking for a place to sit everywhere I went. Working with podiatrists in the OR I have tried everything under the sun to fix the pain I had in the bottom of my left foot.
I started with steroid injections for neuromas, and when that quit working I had a plantar fasciectomy in 2009. It seems to have worked to relieve some of the tension for a couple of years, and slowly over time it came back. I then went through several rounds of Clarix/amniox injections which came with its own complications. A nerve was accidentally injected which gave me neuritis. I’ve had every orthotic insert you can try. Ice, stretching, etc were all tried for temporary relief. After all was said and done I still had the burning pain in the bottom of my foot. I proceeded to search for specialists out of state to help me. I went to a doctor in Scottsdale AZ who had an MRI done and diagnosed me with plantar fibromatosis. He prescribed verapamil cream and best wishes. Neither of those worked. My next search brought me to Dr Bocian. He came up on google as a top specialist for my diagnosis. After reading the studies and testimonials about the laser treatment I thought what do I have to lose?
It was my final hope of living pain free. I started my first treatment on September 13, 2021. My 10th and final treatment was November 16, 2021. I can honestly say after 1 full month I have not had a single flare up or any pain. I am back to working out an hour plus a day and chasing my one year old without pain!! I am so excited and hopeful that this treatment worked on me. The treatment itself was quick and painless. Dr Bocian and his staff are some of the nicest people I’ve encountered. I had both Dr. Bocian and his laser technician Natasha do my treatments. They, along with my results thus far, definitely made the 8 hour round trip worth it. My husband is definitely happy as the nightly foot rubs have dramatically decreased. I am so happy I chose Dr Bocian and the laser treatments. I would recommend him to anyone with similar issues!
K.L.
12/16/21
3-month post-laser follow up review:
I can honestly say it was 100% worth doing the treatment on my foot. I can stand for long periods of time, I am active, and I can get through a workout without my foot burning and aching like it used to. I can wear shoes that previously after standing for more than 30 minutes or so my foot would’ve been hurting and it doesn’t now. I would say overall I have a 90% improvement in the pain. I am very happy with the treatment. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dr. Bocian and his team for this treatment. It is truly life-changing.
Very grateful,
K.L.
February 25, 2022
Testimonial: High Intensity laser for Morton's Neuroma
1. Please describe the symptoms of your Moron’s Neuroma prior to laser treatment:
Varies levels of sharp and burning pain when walking or standing. Intermittent. Level: sharp/burning varied level 7-10
Numbness/burning after standing or walking about 45 minutes. Was constant after it started about 45 minutes on my feet. Numbness/ burning: 10
2. Did Morton’s Neuroma interfere with activities of daily living or quality- of0 life?
Yes it interfered with my daily living and quality of life. I was volunteering at an animal shelter where I needed to stand on my feet for 2 to 4 hours. I had to quit because I couldn't stand more than 45 minutes at a time. I used to walk three to 7 miles a day. After about 1-1.5 miles, the burning would set in, so I had to greatly curtail the amount of time and miles I could walk. This was my outlet during early Covid. I also couldn't hike as much, as uneven ground surfaces really set off the burning pain of the neuroma.
3. How long have you had these symptoms?
Progressively about 3 years. Was not nearly as bad three years before I started treatment. The level of pain listed in #1 above started about 10 months before starting laser treatment.
4 Mention previous treatments prior to laser treatment?
Prior treatments: 3 steroid injections occurring between March and June 2020. Orthotics.
5. Describe improvement following laser treatment?
Do not have the burning/numbness after standing or walking. Once in a while I might feel a minor sharp zap. Like once a month, as opposed to every hour before the laser treatment.
6. What percentage of improvement have you achieved following laser treatment?
About 90% still feel some sharp zaps if I step a certain way. It happens about once a month.
7. How frequent is the pain, if any, following laser treatment?
Occasional
8. Describe your current symptoms now, if any, following laser treatment.
Symptoms got better for a few months after treatment, the improvement leveled off about 3 months after treatment ended.
9. Has the laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma improved the quality of your life?
Yes, I can walk and stand longer than before the treatment.
10. Following completion of laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma are you?
Very satisfied
11. Would you recommend this laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma?
Yes
M.G.
1/9/22
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
Around the spring of 2015 I started to feel a terrible pain on my left sole between my toes. I immediately called Dr. Alan Bocian, my Podiatrist for many years, to set up an appointment to find out what was the cause of this pain. He has all the diagnostic testing equipment right in his office, so he was able to diagnose my problem during that first visit.
Dr. Bocian is the best for explaining in detail what the problem is and to suggest a treatment for it. He always makes sure that his patients understand what treatment he is recommending. He suggested that I try laser treatments on my left sole where the Morton’s neuroma was located. He said he gets good results from 10 treatments, once a week for 10 weeks in a row. Each treatment takes about 15 minutes to complete.
I’ve always had good results from Dr. Bocian’s treatments so I decided to sign up for these treatments. His laser technician, Natasha, is an expert at delivering these treatments with no pain to the patient.
No surgery involved at all. After completing my 10 weeks of treatment the pain from my Morton’s neuroma was almost gone but I continued with a few more treatments until the pain was entirely gone.
Since then, I have not had any recurrences of pain. Anyone suffering from Morton’s neuroma would do well contacting Dr. Alan Bocian at 520-877-3328. His office is located on Orange Grove Road & La Cholla Blvd. I, personally, do not think you will find a better Podiatrist in the city of Tucson, AZ. His people at the front desk are exceptionally pleasant and efficient.
In June of 2021 I wound up with a terrific pain on the heel of my right foot which made hiking most difficult for me. I immediately went to see Dr. Bocian again. After giving me a thorough exam, he diagnosed me as having Plantar Fasciitis on the right heel area of my right foot. He again prescribed the same laser treatment I had about 6 years ago for Morton’s neuroma.
Since I know these treatments work, I signed up for a series of 10 treatments, once a week for 10 weeks. I did miss most of my summer hiking, but at the end of my 10 laser treatments my pain was mostly gone and has not returned since then.
Again, Natasha was my laser technician and as usual she did another outstanding job administrating my laser treatments.
There was absolutely no surgery involved. I strongly recommend Dr. Bocian as one of the best podiatrists you’ll ever encounter.
He has a terrific and well-run office.
Thank you.
S.P.
12/24/21
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis Follow up
I am writing this as a follow up to my letter after 10 treatments with Dr Bocian’s laser. I had amazing results with the first 10 but still had pain in some shoes and with prolonged standing.
I had 5 additional treatments and that was 3 months ago. I can now wear all shoes and yesterday stood for 3 hrs for a 4th of July parade in Montana.
The treatments for me were seriously life changing and the results have sustained. I can't recommend this treatment and Dr. Bocian enough.
Thank you again.
David Lapan, M.D., FACC
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
I am writing this as a letter of thanks and as a testimonial to Dr. Bocian and his unique pioneering laser treatment which he used to treat my long standing plantar fasciitis. I am a cardiologist in Tucson, AZ. I developed acute plantar fasciitis 10 years ago after holding my 6 y.o son for 4 hours at a Taylor Swift concert. I have been plagued with acute and chronic debilitating pain and discomfort since. I tried everything, stretching, night devices, shoes, inserts, physical therapy, steroid injections with transient or no relief. I thought I was just relegated to this problem forever with restriction of most of my activities. A friend of mine told me of his experience with Dr. Bocian’s laser but I was skeptical and waited over a year to contact him. Fast forward, I have had 10 weeks of weekly treatments. I am now for the most part pain free and doing things comfortably that I haven't been able to do for years. I still get some discomfort if I stand for long periods and I still feel mild discomfort after activity but those also continue to improve. Besides being 90% better, the office experience has been so good. I know how hard it is in today's environment to provide a great patient experience but he has done that. He, his office and his treatment get my highest recommendation.
David Lapan, M.D., FACC
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
I wanted to give feedback on the success of my treatment of Morton’s neuroma on the right foot:
1. Prior to the laser treatment, the intermittent burning pain escalated to a 9 of 10 when I was on my toes with exercise or dancing or within ¼ mile of riding my bike uphill. I also had pain with any shoes that were not wide-toed shoes. When Morton's neuroma became more aggravated, I had difficulty finding comfortable shoes and it affected my ability to walk.
2. I have been quite active and the pain caused me to have to stop and get off my foot when exercising or dancing. When biking, I had to put a pad in between my 2nd and 3rd phalange when riding a bike. I never knew how long I could ski. If my foot was aggravated I had to take breaks for days at a time from exercise. I was unable to dance at times. I decided to stop clogging since that was felt to aggravate the pain.
3. I have had these symptoms for at least 8-10 years.
4. I attempted to wear wide shoes and sandals, arch support devices (good feet, professionally made orthotics) which helped to a minor extent. At its worst, I tried a walking boot and a scooter to try to get off my foot, though more recently it hadn’t been as debilitating.
5. Following laser treatments, the pain has substantially improved. I still wear wider shoes but can go without arch supports. I can ride my bike up-hill without wearing a foam pad. I can dance without problems for the most part.
6. The improvement is rated at 85%.
7. I have occasional pain after a long night of dancing or several miles of bike riding uphill.
8. I continued to improve following treatment and now have stabilized.
9. My foot was my limiting factor before treatment. Since undergoing treatment, I feel my foot does not dictate my activity. My quality of life has improved significantly.
10. Following the completion of laser treatment I have been extremely satisfied with the results.
11. I would definitely recommend this laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma.
W.B.
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fibroma
Before having laser treatment on my plantar fibromas, I would mostly have intermittent burning pain. This pain varied with the amount of walking I was doing. I would rate the pain level between 3 and 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 depending on my level of activity. My battle with this condition has lasted over 11 years.
As a result of this pain, I always knew that I was much more limited than before in activities such as hiking, standing for long periods of time or even the length of a walk that I could take.
Since having laser treatments, I would say that I have had an 80% decrease in the level of pain. I am much less hindered in daily activities. Pain flare ups are infrequent, such as when I reincorporated some leg work at the gym.
My symptoms definitely continued to improve for a time after stopping treatments.
My experience with this condition can be described as sort of a special case. I have tried
everything under the sun as far as treatments for this affliction. The first route I took was to visit a medical doctor who was an orthopedic surgeon and a foot specialist. He recommended cutting them out and I agreed. They don't belong there, right? Cut 'em out. Huge mistake! I had three conventional surgeries before someone told me these things thrive and grow in scar tissue. The third surgery was by a different surgeon who made a huge S scar on the bottom of my foot. It took me nearly six months to heal from that one.
Next, I tried cryosurgery. The first doctor who performed this procedure on me actually had
some success as far as shrinking them almost all the way down. He took a teaching job in
California since.These eventually came back, though. I tried twice with another Phoenix doctor with no good results and then even made a trip to Salt Lake City to have it done there.
At various points I have tried sclerosing alcohol injections and corticosteroid injections. Both of these just made my fibromas angrier. Next, I made multiple trips to San Antonio for hyaluronic acid injections. These had a shrinking effect and even some pain relief for a time. It was short-lived, however.
Laser treatment from Dr. Bocian has definitely improved my quality of life. It is the only truly non-invasive way to treat plantar fibromas. I hope it becomes a common treatment everywhere for this issue. I am extremely satisfied with laser treatment and I would absolutely recommend it for someone suffering with this condition.
M.R.
5/2021
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
1. Symptoms of my Achilles tendonitis prior to laser treatment: For 18 months I had a
burning, sharp, and aching pain. When I would walk, especially for longer periods of
walking, climb ladders, or stand for long periods of times the tendon would become
inflamed and very painful. I could not rest my heel on the couch. I had to keep a pillow
under my calf so the heel was not actually touching anything. I had trouble walking.
When getting out of bed in the morning I had trouble putting my foot on the floor and
walking. Level of pain was 10 or higher. It would be constant pain. The only time it would
calm down was to be sedate and immobile. I had been told by another podiatrist that
there was nothing more that could be done for I had to “deal with the pain”.
2. The tendonitis did interfere with my daily activities. I could not remain on my feet for long periods of time. I had trouble riding my ATV, walking the dog, standing, even standing to make meals would cause pain. I could not walk quickly.
3. My symptoms were approximately 18 months.
4. I tried heat, ice, below the knee walking boot, physical therapy, stretching exercises and a cortisone injection.
5. Following laser treatment: I noticed an improvement in the pain level after two treatments. I had less pain which allowed me to become more mobile. As the treatment
process advanced I began to increase my exercise adding walking about ½ mile first. I
began cycling, and T’ai Chi. I could clean the house and cook meals without intense
pain. When I continued to add more miles to my walk, I noticed some pain which would
go away quickly. Prior to treatments I would be laid up for several days with pain.
Following treatment, I could keep going.
6. As of this writing I have completed 10 treatments, the last being 8 days ago. I can easily state that I have 90% improvement. I am hoping that as time continues I will achieve 100%.
7. The pain following treatment is occasional, and mild, it dissipates within a few minutes.
8. After being on my feet and ladders removing Christmas lights on the house, I felt pain
but it was not severe and dissipated by the next day.
9. The laser treatment has significantly improved my quality of life. I have no limitations.
10. I am extremely satisfied with the laser treatment. I am excited that Dr. Bocian is
performing groundbreaking treatments that are improving patient’s quality of life. More
doctors need to adopt the process.
11. I highly recommend this laser treatment to anyone. Even if I do not achieve 100% pain
free, the 90% is enough for me to continue with everything I want to do. We need more
doctors such as Dr. Bocian.
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
Approximately 10 months ago I began experiencing mild burning pain medial and lateral to my calcaneus and up my Achilles tendon. I also felt a nodule on my Achilles tendon. Though the pain was mild (level 3) when first standing in the morning by afternoon, pain worsened to 8/10. Despite the use of Advil, Aleve and Diclofenac cream, new shoes, or use of orthotics the pain persisted.
The pain became so severe that to sleep on my back with heels on the mattress caused me to awaken several times during the night. I was unable to walk or have pressure on my right foot for extended periods during the day as the pain would consistently escalate to 9/10.
I sought treatment from my podiatrist believing I had damaged my Achilles tendon. I was seen for diagnostic and diagnosed with moderate tendinosis and Achilles tendon bursitis.
Dr. Bocian indicated that this was a chronic problem with no surgical or injection options
available at this time. He did however direct me to a laser study which has proven successful in the past for other heel and ankle issues with other stretching exercises. Though not covered by my insurance I opted for a 10 laser treatment study accompanied with stretching exercises.
I noticed a gradual lessening of pain after each treatment and by the 10th week I was
experiencing no pain. One and a half months post treatment, I am happy to report 100%
improvement with no further pain either resting or with prolonged activity. The pain relief is not dependent on anti inflammatories, the shoes, sandals, or orthotics I wear.
My daily life has improved remarkably sleeping through the night regardless of daily activity. I golf and walk regularly and continue to experience no further pain, 100% resolution. I am delighted and very satisfied with the outcome of the laser treatment and would recommend laser treatment to those suffering foot, heel, or tendon pain.
Thank you, Dr. Bocian and Natasha (his laser technician),
M.B.
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
I developed plantar fasciitis about 3 years ago while playing basketball with my older son. I woke up to go to the bathroom and had this horrible sharp pain in my right heel... so much so it was hard to walk and had to noticeably limp. During the next basketball workout, my son told me what my problem was has he had plantar fasciitis a year earlier–he had to wear a boot at night to help stretch (his symptoms went away in about 3 months). So I did all the stretching, bath the night stretching sock, etc... All this helped but the plantar fasciitis never really fully went away.
I was forced to not run, hike, play tennis, basketball, etc.... all the active things I loved I could no longer do because I knew the pain I’d be in after doing any of those activities–even playing golf started to hurt so he had to find something to help!! The horrible recurring pain lasted off and on for almost 2 years!!
That is where Dr. Bocian comes in. I needed help getting rid of my plantar fasciitis FOREVER and did not know what else to do. I did everything I could to get back to my normal life including expensive physical therapy, injections, orthotics and nothing was working. I was very frustrated and dejected not being able to do the physical activities I lump.
Dr. Bocian suggested laser treatments and I agreed (never having heard of this treatment I admittedly was skeptical). After 10 treatments the pain was basically gone and I was able to get back to my normal way of life including all the physical activities with NO PAIN during or after exercise. MY PLANTAR FASCIITIS WAS GONE AT LAST !! (Being a former basketball player at the University of Arizona I found out the athletic training staff there also uses laser treatments on their athletes).
All I can say is do not wait to get rid of your plantar fasciitis pain... Trust Dr. Bocian and do the laser treatment–you will not regret it and will be very happy to improve your quality of life.
Sincerely
J.N. , University of Arizona Basketball 1976–1980
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is by far one of the most painful conditions that a person can experience and I had been suffering for well over 5 years when I came to see Dr. Bocian. My pain level was a constant 10 out of 10. Getting out of bed in the morning was so painful I could no longer leave this untreated. I was desperate for help.
I had previously been given multiple injections, worn a walking boot, slept in a night brace, all with no relief. After an extensive evaluation Dr. Bocian and suggested a trial injection (human amniotic membrane and umbilical cord matrix). This treatment brought no relief, again.
I was beginning to consider surgery by now. I had heard and read many testimonials about unsuccessful surgical procedures so I was not convinced that was the best decision.
At this point in my treatment, Dr. Bocian recommended that I undergo a GentleMax Pro laser treatment. I was wary but willing to try it in order to avoid surgery.
The simple treatment was provided in the doctor's office by his friendly, professional staff. I had been informed that I might not feel relief until I received several treatments. I began to feel minor relief after approximately 4-6 treatments. The progress was slow, but I continue to receive the treatments.
When I receive the final treatment, I would rate my pain at a 4 out of 10. This was a huge improvement after having been in so much pain for so long. The pain continued to decrease even after I had finished the treatments. It has now been several months since my final treatment and I am thrilled to say I have no pain at all.
The laser treatment not only gave me my life back, but it also saved me from undergoing surgery that likely would not have worked. I recommend this treatment to anyone who suffers from plantar fasciitis.
K. D.
10/23/2019
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
My Achilles tendon became injured in the early 2000’s.
I tried hydrotherapy, prolotherapy, orthotics, PT, and cold laser treatments with no success.
Then in 2018 I found Dr. Bocian who suggested having 10 treatments with his laser. The large painful and unattractive knot on the achilles tendon disappeared.
The pain decreased so much that I am now able to walk normally, I can hike again, and it appears to continue healing even over a month since the last treatment was done.
I am extremely satisfied and would recommend this treatment to anyone, especially those with Achilles Tendonitis.
S. W.
Tucson, AZ
01/15/19
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
My name is Vicky, I am a Nurse Practitioner with 15 years of practice. About 18 years ago, I had surgery to remove a bone spur in my right Achilles tendon. The pain interfered with my ability to walk and work and parent. While the recovery was long, the results were good. Over time, the “bump” on the back of my heel returned and became very painful again.
The pain was present most of the time for the last eighteen months. It was a dull aching pain that became sharp and stabbing with each step, easily an 8 of 10 on the pain scale. I avoided walking, never took the stairs and limped most days. I saw a surgeon who told me I had a spur on top of the original spur and the only treatment was another surgery. I wasn’t ready to go through that again. I sought out soft soled shoes, never with a back on them, as it irritated my heel. I found temporary relief with kinetic taping. I also found relief with acupuncture and was able to get down to a treatment every 2 weeks.
I will be forever grateful to my acupuncturist who told me about Dr Bocian and his laser treatments. She thought they might help me. I set up an appointment for an evaluation. Dr Bocian was great. He thoroughly explained the treatment and time investment and told me it was a new area and it might not work. Dr. Bocian’s explanation of how the treatment could modify my painful heel made sense to me and so we started.
After 10 weekly treatments, I can tell you that I am at least 99% better with no down time! I occasionally have a short stabbing pain in my heel that lasts a couple seconds, maybe once a week. Even that seems to be decreasing over time. I can wear athletic shoes and have resumed walking for exercise. I take the stairs whenever I get a chance. My mood is much better because of my increased activity and the lack of chronic pain.
I am extremely satisfied with the laser treatment for Achilles tendonitis and with Dr Bocian and his staff. I highly recommend the treatment if you have this debilitating diagnosis.
V. N. NP
Tucson, AZ
5/01/18
Testimonial: High Intensity lasert treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
I wanted to give feedback on the success of my treatment of Morton’s neuroma on the right foot:
- Prior to the laser treatment, the intermittent burning pain escalated to a 9 of 10 when I was on my toes with exercise or dancing or within ¼ mile of riding my bike up hill. I also had pain with any shoes that were not wide-toed shoes. When the Morton’s neuroma became more aggravated, I had difficulty finding comfortable shoes and it affected my ability to walk.
- I have been quite active and the pain caused me to have to stop and get off my foot when exercising or dancing. When biking, I had to put a pad in between my 2nd and 3rd phalange when riding bike. I never knew how long I could ski. If my foot was aggravated I had to take breaks for days at a time from exercise. I was unable to dance at times. I decided to stop clogging since that was felt to aggravate the pain.
- I have had these symptoms for at least 8-10 years.
- I attempted to wear wide shoes and sandals, arch support devices (good feet, professionally made orthotics) which helped to a minor extent. At its worst, I tried a walking boot and a skooter to try to get off my foot, though more recently it hadn’t been as debilitating.
- Following laser treatments, the pain has substantially improved. I still wear wider shoes but can go without arch supports. I can ride bike up-hill without wearing a foam pad. I can dance without problems for the most part.
- The improvement is rated at 85%.
- I have occasional pain after a long night of dancing or several miles of riding bike up-hill.
- I continued to improve following treatment and now have stabilized.
- My foot was my limiting factor before treatment. Since undergoing treatment, I feel my foot does not dictate my activity. My quality of life has improved significantly.
- Following completion of laser treatment I have extremely satisfied with the results.
- I would definitely recommend this laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma.
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
I was diagnosed with Morton’s Neuroma in Feb 2017. My symptoms where intermittent pain while walking that worsened the longer I walked and an almost constant feeling of crumbled sockets in my shoe.
Initial treatment involved shoe modification without effect. Treatment options discussed included surgery, cortisone injection ( injection was completely ineffective) and laser treatment. In order to avoid surgery, I opted to try the laser treatment. After multiple sessions(12), I would estimate the frequency of the pain has been reduced 90%, the crumbled sock symptom has been eliminated completely. Most of the time I don’t even think about my foot. I have discussed my treatment with my primary care physician and my FAA AME. Both remain skeptical of the treatment.
I am extremely satisfied with my treatment and the results. I would unequivocally recommend this treatment.
D.F.
Tucson, AZ
11/29/18
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
After suffering with intermittent sharp and burning pain from Morton’s Neuroma for 1 1/2 years, and seeing a podiatrist who gave me a cortisone injection and expensive orthotics, from which I had some but fleeting relief, I was referred to Dr. Bocian for laser treatments.
I have a large bunion on that foot but was not a candidate for surgery because of osteoporosis. Since my symptoms became progressively worse even with orthotics, wide, open toed shoes and decreased walking, I consulted with Dr. Bocian re laser treatments. Encouraged by the positive feedback he has received from his clients and his testimony, I had 10 laser treatments and my pain is 95% better. The expense was totally worth it and I had no down time.
The quality of my life has significantly improved. Now I’m able to exercise and walk without pain. I have no restrictions to my usually activities. I have a medical background (RN for 35 years) and would recommend this treatment for all having pain from a Morton’s Neuroma.
B.Q.
Tucson, AZ
11/20/18
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
This treatment has been a true blessing for me and I would certainly recommend this treatment to anyone who has neuroma.Since my last testimonial my neuroma symptoms continue to be improved. It has been about 2 months since my last treatment and I have very little moments of numbness, and when they do occur they are very minor. I have moments in which I feel a minor amount of soreness, but little to no moments of any sharp pains. I can walk and be on my feet for extended periods of time without having too much discomfort, drastically different and improved from what it was before.
J.W.
Tucson, AZ
11/19/18
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton's Neuroma
The treatment and care I received at your office has been exceptional. I was very skeptical about the treatment you were suggesting for the neuroma you found in my foot. Having had surgery recently I did not want to have an additional surgery to address the neuroma and so reluctantly began the laser light treatment. At first I felt no difference, and really thought there was no improvement. However, after the final treatments I noticed that I could walk comfortably and without pain. It has been a great relief that this light laser treatment has made such a difference. Thank you very much.
Leslie K., PhD
Mathematics Educator, retired
Tucson, AZ
03/04/16
|
|
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
In Mid-April I consulted Dr. Bocian regarding my extremely painful left foot, so painful that I was unable to bear any weight on it. He poked & probed until he hit the most painful spot (between the third & fourth toe). He thought it might be a Morton’s Neuroma and gave a cortisone injection which provided instant relief, lasting for a day or two.
In May, I was again in so much pain that he gave another cortisone injection which helped somewhat.
In August, I began the first of ten laser treatments, after only eight treatments I had no pain, 100% improvement and am now ambulating up to my previous ability.
C.H.
Tucson, AZ
12/06/15
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Achilles Tendonitis
I tried hydrotherapy, prolotherapy, orthotics, PT, and cold laser treatments with no success.My Achilles tendon became injured in the early 2000’s.
Then in 2018 I found Dr. Bocian who suggested having 10 treatments with his laser. The large painful and unattractive knot on the achilles tendon disappeared.
The pain decreased so much that I am now able to walk normally, I can hike again, and it appears to continue healing even over a month since the last treatment was done.
I am extremely satisfied and would recommend this treatment to anyone, especially those with Achilles Tendonitis.
S.W.
Tucson, AZ
01/15/19
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
Please describe the symptom of your Morton’s neuroma prior to laser treatment:Laser treatment began on September 14, 2015. The 10th and final treatment was on October 23, 2015.
Pain was sharp, tingling and felt like my sock was bunched up under my toes. Pain was intermittent but became constant in the last 3 or so months prior to treatment. Pain was in the upper quartile. The bunched-up sock sensation was constant.
- Did your Morton’s neuroma interfere with activities of daily living or quality of life?
Absolutely. When pain was present, walking was difficult.
- How long have you had these symptoms?
Probably 20 years prior to laser treatment
- What treatments have you had for your Morton’s neuroma prior to laser treatment?
I had several steroid injections. Tried orthotic devices and homemade shoe modifications with very limited success.
- Describe improvement following laser treatment.
At the conclusion of treatment, I would say relief was about 70% but it continued to improve as time went on.
- What percentage of improvement now have you achieved following laser treatment?
I would rate my improvement at 90%
- How frequent is the pain, if any following laser treatment?
I get occasional pain, but it is less than before and occurs rarely
- Describe your current symptoms now, if any, following laser treatment.
It’s been over 3 years so I’m pretty stable
- Would you recommend this laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma?
Absolutely
- Following completion of laser treatment how satisfied are you?
Extremely satisfied
- Would you recommend this laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma?
Definitely yes
G. L.
Oro Valley, AZ
01/14/19
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
Prior to treatment my foot was swelling on the top part of my foot and on the ball of my foot. I had sharp pain at a pain level of 8 in the ball of my foot while walking.
Before Morton’s Neuroma I walked up Tumamoc Hill which is a three mile walk several times a week. I would walk my dog daily 1-3 miles. I also walked 3-5 miles at work. I was no longer able to walk up Tumamoc Hill at all and had to limit my dog walking to less than a mile a day or not at all. I decreased my walking at work to around 2 miles in an 8 hour day.
The pain in the ball of my foot had been bothering me for less than 6 months before I started my first treatment in the beginning of 2017. The pain I had in the same foot since 2015 was tendonitis and plantar fasciitis that I believe is what then lead to the Morton’s Neuroma.
Before I went to Dr. Bocian and started receiving laser treatments I had gone to an orthopedic doctor. The doctor gave me a cortisone injection in the top of my foot and it did not give me any relief from pain.
After I finished the laser therapy treatments I very rarely have pain when walking with shoes on. I still have some discomfort when walking barefoot. I use to have some discomfort while standing in the shower but I no longer feel any discomfort on the bottom of my foot while standing in the shower.
My pain and discomfort from the neuroma is 95% better.
I rarely have any pain while walking with sensible shoes on.
I think my symptoms are getting better because the rare moments of pain are becoming rarer.
The laser treatments have gotten me back to being as active as I once was. I am back to walking up Tumamoc Hill, I take my dog for a one mile walk daily and I have started gardening again. Going back to my active lifestyle has also resulted in need weight loss of 14lbs!
I would definitely recommend laser treatment for Morton’s neuroma. I am very happy with the results and glad that I had it done. Going in once a week to get the treatment is no trouble when I know that it was improving my Morton’s neuroma. I would go in twice a week if I knew it would get me faster results.
G.R.
Tucson, AZ
6/15/18
Testimonial: High Intensity laser treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
I am thrilled to report that almost two years to the day after completing my last treatment for Morton’s neuroma, my right foot is still fully functional and pain free. In my opinion, the series of laser treatments was a complete success.
When I was first referred to your office I suffered from intermittent yet frequent recurring sharp burning pain on the bottom of my right foot. On a scale of 1-10, my pain was an 8. It prevented me from walking long distances, running, and bike riding. I often experienced severe pain using the accelerator pedal driving my car. It was unbearable.
I’d had these symptoms for a couple years. A cortisone shot provided relief for a few days but the pain returned.
After 10 treatments which were completed in April of 2016, I was 100% pain free and today I still am. My foot feels and functions perfectly normal. I’ve been able to exercise regularly, I’ve lost weight, and my overall health has improved greatly. The treatments were a game changer for me.
I’m extremely satisfied with the treatments, which have been a long-term success. I would definitely recommend this treatment to others suffering from Morton’s Neuroma.
D.F.
Tucson, AZ
4/26/18
Testimonial: High Intenity laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
I had laser treatment for Plantar Fasciitis. Here are my results
- Please describe the symptoms of your plantar fasciitis prior to laser treatment.
My symptoms were sharp pain when I walked and pain when I stepped out of bed in the morning. My pain was constant–could not do the activities that I had previously been doing. - Did your plantar fasciitis interfere with activities of daily living or quality-of-life?
YES! - How long have you had these symptoms?
Several months – continued to worsen - Mention previous treatments prior to laser treatment including any inject
