So what is Phototherapy anyway?
Or the technical, science-y term:
"Photobiomodulation".
Guess what - You probably don't realize that you already know the answer!
The best way to explain it:
We know we get Vitamin D from the sun right? Well, kind of . . . What happens is going outside and being exposed to the full spectrum of the sun's light triggers a response in our body to produce its own Vitamin D.
We don't directly absorb Vitamin D from the sun's light.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum describes all the wavelengths of frequency, both seen and unseen. The light we can see, made up of the colors of the rainbow, represent only a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Most of the light of the Universe is invisible to our eyes.
We're exposed to all sorts of spectrums of light. Each spectrum can trigger different body responses and processes. That's when some really beneficial effects can occur.
This is why I incorporate these technologies into my practice.
Phototherapy
Increased mitochondrial activity
This increases ATP production. This in the center that produces our energy.
Increased collagen production
This translates into more efficient wound healing.
New tissue trauma and old wounds and scars too!
Decreased inflammation and pain
Increased muscle recovery after physical exertion
Increased circulation and oxygen delivery
Increased stem cell activity
Stem cells are generated from the bone marrow and go off to become any needed cell in the body. They heal and repair wear and tear, disease processes and all the things that contribute to aging and disease. They decrease in number by over 50% by the time we're 30 years old. By age 50, we have a 75% decrease in stem cell activity. Increasing our stem cell activity will contribute to slowing down the aging process, as stated by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Improves the functioning of our Immune System and Nervous System
High numbers of mitochondria are found in both systems. These are the systems that require the most energy and where we see great potential for benefit from Phototherapy.
Below are some of the benefits one can expect from Phototherapy
Clinical Studies of Phototherapy
Many studies have been done demonstrating that outcomes are better with faster recovery when phototherapy is applied to a variety of ailments.
Cardiopulmonary and Hematological Effects of infrared LED photobiomodulation in the treatment of SARS-COV2
Pereia, et al
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, B: Biology
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9721157/
The group in this study that was treated with phototherapy exhibited the following results:
-A decrease in hospitalization discharge time.
-Statistically significant improvement in the following cardiopulmonary functions:
-partial oxygen saturation
-tidal volume
-maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures
-respiratory frequency
-heart rate
-systolic blood pressure
-They showed a decrease in white blood cell count indicating lower infectious activity that would trigger an immune response.
-A decreased inflammatory response therefore reduced pulmonary edema.
Low-level light treatment ameliorates immune thrombocytopenia
Yang, et. al.
Scientific Reports
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5128784/
Traditional therapy for immune thrombocytopenia is corticosteroids.
However, long term use is not recommended due to the side effects such as gastrointestinal stress and osteoporosis.
Other approaches to treatment are splenectomy (removal of the spleen) and immune suppressing drugs - all with severe side effects.
They concluded that adding phototherapy with traditional therapies should increase the body's response to the treatments resulting in a reduction of the required dosages and therefore decreasing the side effects.
Laser Light Therapy in Inflammatory Musculoskeletal, and Autoimmune Disease
Wickenheisser, et. al.
HHS Public Access
Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7357616/
Musculoskeletal Disorders: tested against a placebo
Shown effective for muscle and nerve pain equal to that of a 30% nerve block within 10-20 minutes of application.
The reduction in pain was attributed to a decrease in oxidative stress and edema. It is also thought to affect serotonin and endorphin release, diminishing pain signaling.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: double blind placebo controlled
Phototherapy showed a significant decrease in pain compared to the control group.
Note: In a different study, no difference in pain was exhibited, however an increase in grip strength was observed over the placebo group. This was also concluded by a Cochrane review. The Cochrane group adhere to the strictest methodological and reporting standards.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Pre-clinical studies show that Phototherapy can play major role in attenuating the immune response that would otherwise lead to joint destruction and debilitation. It is a very promising treatment, given its non-invasive nature and anti-inflammatory effects.
Alopecia:
Phototherapy was used over treatment-resistant areas of the scalp, beard, eyebrows and moustache. Of the 34 areas treated, 32 showed hair regrowth - and no adverse effects were noted.
Another study showed hair regrowth in 75% of patients previously resistant to other treatments.
Otolaryngology:
Phototherapy demonstrated success in nasal decolonization in MSSA and MRSA antibiotic resistant patients. It was found to disrupt bacteria biofilms and decrease bacterial counts.
Neurology
Multiple Sclerosis:
Phototherapy showed marked inhibited clinical signs of the disease. It reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into the Central Nervous System and attenuated demyelination.
Pulmonology
Asthma:
The group given Phototherapy treatment showed an overall decrease in inflammatory cell numbers in bronchial fluid, similar to what would be experienced with the drug budesonide.
Possible Application of the Laser in Immunobiology
Tadakuma
Department of Microbiology,
School of Medicine,
Keio University,
Tokyo, Japan
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/kjm1952/42/4/42_4_180/_article
Phototherapy showed a strong immunological system response.
With the use of Phototherapy in rats and mice with cancer their lifespan was increased from 50% to 95%.