Study of Low Level Laser Therapy to Treat Chronic Heel Pain Arising From Plantar Fasciitis

Inclusion Criteria: * Unilateral mechanical plantar heel pain * Chronic heel pain defined as at least 3 months of ongoing heel pain with no evidence of acute trauma to the heel * Degree of heel pain rating on the 0-100 Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is at least 50 for heel pain experienced upon taking the first few steps of the day. * Heel pain has been previously unresponsive to prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken over a minimum period of 2 weeks; and any two or more of the following conservative treatments: rest, taping, stretching, orthotics, shoe modifications, night splinting, casting, physical therapy, or local corticosteroid injections * Subject is willing and able to refrain from consuming non-study approved medications or partaking in other therapies for relief of heel pain throughout study participation Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to definitively rule out any one or more of the following potential etiologies of chronic heel pain: mechanical posterior; neurologic; arthritic; and traumatic heel pain * Bilateral heel pain * Evidence of acute trauma to the heel * Loss of plantar foot sensation * Foot deformity * Previous surgery to the heel * Foot trauma within the previous three months * Skin ulceration (infection or wound) on the heel and surrounding area * Sciatica * Benign and malignant tumors * Acute infection of soft tissue or bone such as osteomyelitis * Diabetic neuropathic pain * Type I Diabetes * Sensory neuropathy * Previous di…