PHOTOBIOMODULATION - A Light therapy ?

What is photobiomodulation ?

Photobiomodulation is the name for light therapy. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, which

means it has electric fields and magnetic fields vibrating back and forth very quickly as a wave. The

speed of the vibration is called frequency. Frequency is the rate at which a vibration occurs that

constitutes a wave, either in a material (as in sound waves), or in an electromagnetic field (as in radio

waves and light), usually measured per second. Light therapy is also known as photobiostimulation

which means “the stimulation of life with light.”

Wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm), equal to one-billionth of a metre. Light wavelengths

measure approximately as follows:

Ultraviolet (UV): 10 to 380 nm

Violet — 380 to 450 nm

Indigo — 440 to 460 nm

Blue — 450 to 495 nm

Cyan — 485 to 510

Green — 495 to 570 nm

Yellow — 570 to 590 nm

Amber — 580 to 600 nm

Orange — 590 to 610 nm

Red Light-Emitting Diode (LED) — 610 to 700 nm

Near-Infrared (NIR) — 700 to 900 nm

Infrared — 900 to 1400 nm

How long has light therapy been around?

Light therapy was used in ancient Egypt, India, and Greece, right up to medieval times. Light as

therapy was begun again by Florence Nightingale who, in the 1850s, advocated the use of clean air

and an abundance of sunlight to restore health. Modern light therapy (phototherapy) began to be used

more often in medicine in Scandinavia, America, and Australia from 1903, following the pioneering

work of Niels Finsen in the late 19th century. He received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for the

treatment of tuberculosis scarring with ultraviolet (UV) light, and treatment of smallpox scarring with

red light.

Since the 1950s, particularly in Australia, Scandinavia, USA, England and Canada, treatment with light,

especially UVB light, has been widely applied by physiotherapists in hospitals for dermatological

conditions and also for hyperbilirubinemia or neonatal jaundice. Since the 1980s light has also been

used in ophthalmology, dermatology, and cardiology. In more recent years in physiotherapy, light was

mostly used as an adjunct to the management of orthopaedic/rheumatological conditions.

Since the 1990s, there has been global use of light, in the form of photobiomodulation for the

management of lymphedema, including in supportive cancer care. Photobiomodulation in the form of

low-level laser has been used by physiotherapists and pain doctors since the 1990s and until today, in

the management of chronic pain. The use of light has expanded into new and exciting practices

including supportive cancer care, and treatment of depression, oral mucositis, retinopathy of

prematurity, and cardiac surgery complications. Light is also being used in the treatment of

neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis. The

innovative uses of light in physiotherapy treatment would not be possible without the previous

experience of successful application of light treatment.

How does it work?

Our bodies were designed to use light energy for many of their functions. Light encourages your brain

to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the

production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood). It acts on the “power centre” in your

body's cells called mitochondria. With more energy, other cells can do their work more efficiently, such

as repairing skin, boosting new cell growth and enhancing skin rejuvenation.

How is light therapy helpful to us?

“Penetrating red light is possibly the fundamental anti-stress factor for all organisms. The chronic

deficiency of such light is, I think, the best explanation for the deterioration which occurs with aging.

Enzyme changes, free radical changes, structural and respiratory changes are all involved as

consequences of darkness stress.” – Ray Peat “RED LIGHT THERAPY MIRACLE MEDICINE”

Everything has a frequency.

Every organ in our body has its own frequency. Receiving different frequencies of light energy can

have a profound effect on our tissues. Different colours are used for varying effects. Healing effects of

red light have been known for decades but not until recently have red light devices been carefully

studied for their proven benefits and made readily available at affordable prices.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the fuel that powers life at the cellular level. Red light therapy, using

LED lights, stimulates the mitochondria and increases the production of ATP within the treated

tissues. In addition to sparking ATP production, red LED light therapy also stimulates specific cellular

organelles, depending on the condition being addressed. The (visible red and Infra-red) energies

used in a red light treatment do not heal/rejuvenate the tissues being treated; it simply provides the

tissues being treated with the energy necessary to spark the production of ATP. Once ATP is

produced, the body will use this energy to carry out repair and rejuvenation. The body will heal

itself.

Does light pulse rate affect tissues differently?

Yes. Tissues are affected differently by varying the pulse rate of energies (both visible red and

infrared) between 10 Hz - 10,000 Hz.

Slow pulses reduce nerve sensitivity by decreasing the production of Brinikin lucitrin necessary in

the transmission of pain signals.

Mid-range pulses stimulate endorphin production.

Intense pulses stimulate mitosis (cellular reproduction) and cellular repair.

Are there different uses for different colours of light?

Blue light (wavelength 405nm-420nm) provides a very superficial penetration even with a

high-intensity narrowband light source. It is primarily absorbed by the epidermis of the skin. Once it is

absorbed, blue light targets Propionibacterium acnes by stimulating porphyrins which then produce

intracellular singlet oxygen and thus inducing bacterial death. Blue light therapy is a derivative of UV

therapy used in the past for Psoriasis, to stimulate the immune system, destroy bacteria, Acne, actinic

keratosis (AK), SADs (Seasonal Effect Disorder), treatments for gout, gouty arthritis, bursitis and

other inflammatory conditions of muscles and joints.

Red light (wavelength 630nm-640nm) penetrates human tissue superficially, with approximately

80% of the energy being absorbed in the first 2cm and decreases to less than 1% at 8cm. Red light

energy has a significant effect on mitochondrial stimulation, which increases the production of ATP

and in turn boosts fibroblast activity. This leads to an increase in cellular turnover, superficial

circulation, and an anti-inflammatory emission. It even activates the production of new stem cells.

Infrared (IR) light (wavelength 800nm–900nm) energy penetrates tissue at a greater depth than the

Blue and Red light. Approximately 50% penetrates to 8cm and decreases to less than 1% at 20cm

(NASA study). Infrared energy is known to heat tissue and its effects are well documented for

therapeutic pain management.

For cosmetic applications, IR light stimulates the electrogenic transmembrane in the cell, which

increases cell membrane permeability; facilitating equilibrium of cellular pH, while increasing

nutritional absorption and elimination of waste byproducts. Many skin care products contain reflective

agents and if they are applied to the skin prior to a light therapy treatment, they can actually decrease

the effectiveness of the treatment. It is important to apply the various wavelengths of light to clean,

dry skin.

Although visible red and infra-red energies can be used individually to conduct photo-bio-stimulation,

using a combination of Red and Infra-red energies is more effective than using either energy

alone. For example, when used together, collagen bundles and elastin fibres increase.

What conditions may be helped by light therapy?

Light therapy studies suggest that Infrared light combined with red light is good for:

Aphthous ulcers 

Postherpetic neuralgia

Bell’s Palsy Pressure ulcer

Bone fractures 

Radiation 

dermatitis

Burn scars 

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Burning mouth syndrome 

Restenosis

Carpal tunnel syndrome 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Cellulite 

Shoulder tendinopathy

Chronic joint disorders 

Skin aging

Cognitive enhancement 

Sternotomy incision repair

Cold sores (herpes labialis) 

Stroke

COPD 

Sunburn prevention

Dental implant stability

Yellow light penetrates the dermis to the soft tissue and is helpful for:

cell rejuvenation reduces fine lines

eliminates redness 

treats rosacea

reduces wrinkles 

lowers dark spots

Green Light penetrates your epidermis, or surface tissue, almost reaching the subcutaneous tissue below. It is effective for:

relieving pain improving skin tone and complexion

sun spots melasma

rosacea 

eczema

psoriasis 

reducing skin redness and irritation.

Blue Light penetrates the epidermis, or surface tissue, and is effective for:

acne scars 

skin swelling

improves skin texture 

sun spots

reduces cellulite 

sun damage

skin cancer growth 

superficial wound healing

decreases appearance of varicose veins and spider veins

White Light Therapy (Sunlight) 

Sunlight is a necessary source of natural Vitamin D and it boosts your body’s production of serotonin.

A lack of natural sunlight can cause listlessness, sleep problems, jet lag, certain forms of depression,

circadian rhythm disorders and addictive behaviours such as alcohol abuse or compulsive eating.

Bright white light is useful for replacing the natural sunlight that you may not get enough of due to

today’s predominantly indoor lifestyle and during winter months when the days are shorter. 

White light can elevate and regulate your mood, boost your energy level, and help with concentration.

Light is critical for life! We have known this for thousands of years; why, then, is it advertised as

something new? That is because we have forgotten many former ways of caring for ourselves.

Thanks to current technology, this type of treatment is now available for anyone 

who wishes to try it.

Come on in to Homeopathic Family Practice so you can try it for yourself!

CALL  US AT: 416-924-8887 OR  VISIT TO BOOK