Light & Its Role In Our Health
As you can see, Red Light Therapy has a multitude of benefits across a wide range of chronic health conditions and concerns. So, what is it? Luckily, you came to the right Blog, let's jump right into it then!
Red Light Therapy is a cutting-edge treatment harnessing the power of light to deliver an array of health benefits. While it may seem unconventional at first glance, this non-invasive therapy has recently garnered considerable interest from both healthcare professionals and wellness enthusiasts alike for its promising potential to enhance healing & overall well-being.
In this blog, we will delve into the world of red light therapy, unraveling what it is, how it functions, and the numerous benefits it provides. From its origins in low-level laser therapy to its contemporary applications using LED lights, we'll explore the science and practicality behind this fascinating therapeutic holistic approach.
The power of light has long been recognized by society. Whether emanating from a lamp or the sun, we now understand light is fundamentally composed of energy.
We are well aware that sunlight is a vital source of Vitamin-D, and it offers other significant benefits for both the brain and body. For example, safe exposure to morning sunlight has been shown to enhance mood, improve sleep, regulate circadian rhythms, and more. Additionally, morning sunlight helps to halt the body's natural melatonin production, making it much easier to kickstart your day!
Given these positive effects of sunlight, it raises an intriguing question: can other light sources, such as red light, also produce similar benefits?
What Is Photobiomodulation?
Red light therapy, often known by many names, has evolved from what was initially called low-level laser therapy to photobiomodulation (PBM). Red light therapy (RLT) is a specific type within the broader PBM category. Now that we have that established, we can move onto the more detailed overview.
Understanding PBM is crucial to grasping what red light therapy is and all it entails. PBM encompasses any light source—regardless of color or energy—that can influence the biology of a living organism.
Imagine the colors of the rainbow: each one emits light wavelengths at varying energies, which we perceive as different colors. These light waves can be optimized in PBM devices to enhance both brain and bodily functions.
For instance, blue light is a staple in acne and skincare treatments across many clinics. When applied to the skin, blue light effectively kills acne-causing bacteria. Our Hydrafacial Lightwave device, which combines both blue and red light, is a popular choice for treating mild acne, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by harnessing the benefits of these wavelengths.
Different colors of light offer unique advantages to our biology. Colors such as violet, orange, purple, green, pink, and red each have their distinct benefits. Green light, for example, is celebrated for its anti-aging properties. It boosts collagen and elastin production, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and even targets cellulite. At Dr. Dekel's Office of Holistic Health & Anti-Aging, we utilize a combination of lightwaves. The green light therapy device in our Saunas delivers incredible, non-invasive, anti-aging benefits!
There are also light wavelengths invisible to the human eye that can still impact our biology. According to NASA, visible light wavelengths range from 380 to 700 nanometers (nm), with red light falling within 630-700nm, making it visible to us. Infrared light, commonly found in RLT devices, ranges from 780-1000nm and offers numerous health benefits despite being outside the visible spectrum. Different RLT devices may use varying wavelength strengths to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes.
Infrared - "The Invisible Light"
Infrared light, invisible to the human eye, comes in three variations: near, mid, and far infrared, each offering unique health benefits when applied to the body.
Near-infrared light is a key component in red light therapy devices. Although we can't see this type of light, it plays a significant role in promoting healing and wellness.
Take, for example, the infrared saunas at Better Brain & Body. These saunas have gained popularity in the wellness community for their myriad benefits, including detoxification, reduced inflammation, and pain relief. Infrared saunas utilize far-infrared light, which, despite appearing red, remains unseen by the human eye, though we can feel its warming effects. Conversely, most modern RLT devices incorporate near-infrared wavelengths, providing therapeutic benefits without generating heat.
With this understanding in mind, it leads us to an essential question: what exactly is Red Light Therapy?
What Exactly Is Red Light Therapy (RLT)?
Red Light Therapy, available at Dr. Dekel's Office of Holistic Health & Anti-Aging (located in beautiful Bluffton, SC.) under the guidance of Medical Director, Dr. Moshe Dekel MD, is a form of Photobiomodulation that is pain-free, non-invasive, and utilizes low-level red and near-infrared light to deliver numerous health benefits. Whether targeting the entire body or specific areas, regular exposure to these LED lights can yield significant improvements in overall health.
By exposing the body to our proprietary wavelengths of light, many patients experience enhanced healing and faster recovery times for tendons, muscles, tissues, bones, wounds, and cartilage, while also reducing any pain and inflammation.
Additional benefits include improved energy levels, detoxification, increased circulation, improved sleep cycles, smoother skin with less wrinkles due to increased collagen and better nerve function.
RLT treatments have become widespread, adopting various forms such as handheld devices, panels, full-body lights, face masks, beds, wands and the list is growing daily. These devices, which use red light through LED lights or light-emitting diodes, are now commonly found in homes, medical clinics, gyms, spas, and even professional sports teams across the nation.
Just remember, like anything else in life, you get what you pay for and not all red light therapy is the same, or as effective. Do your research, your body and bank account will thank you later, believe me!
Red Light Therapy - How Does It Work?
Maintaining cellular health is vital for our overall well-being. Our cells perform essential daily tasks that keep us functioning optimally throughout our lives. At the heart of each cell are the mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouses of the body, responsible for energy production and other critical functions.
By applying red light therapy to the skin, the energy from the light is absorbed by the mitochondria, which in turn strengthens the cells. This enhancement leads to more efficient and effective bodily functions, both mentally and physically. Prioritizing excellent cellular health not only yields immediate benefits but also supports long-term wellness, potentially preventing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
Red Light Therapy (RLT) has been extensively studied for its potential in treating a variety of conditions, producing a range of promising results. Discovered in the 1960s, RLT remained a controversial medical therapy until the early 2000s. It wasn't until 2001 that NASA scientists demonstrated RLT's positive effects on wound healing in humans and observed a remarkable 40% improvement in musculoskeletal injuries among Navy Seals1.
Since these pivotal findings, numerous scientific benefits have been documented, alongside anecdotal evidence that continues to build, though not all of it has been formally validated in the lab. The market now offers a wide array of RLT devices, some holding FDA approval and others without. Each device may produce varying outcomes, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right one for your specific health goals.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
One thing RLT is great for treating, is pain and inflammation! Consistent use of Red Light Therapy (RLT) has been shown to significantly reduce muscle pain and inflammation. By alleviating inflammation, RLT can also aid in addressing symptoms of various ailments. It has even been suggested as a potential athletic performance enhancer due to its ability to quickly heal or regenerate muscle tissue and increase muscle mass while doing it.
At Dr. Dekel's Office of Holistic Health & Anti-Aging, we only utilize fully FDA-Approved Laser Therapy devices (Each laser device or RLT device used could differ, depending on the location & objective of the procedure) to relieve pain and decrease the average healing time, among numerous other benefits.
Conditions Red Light Therapy May Help:
Fibromyalgia
Arthritis
Joint Pain
Muscle Pain
Nerve Pain
Tendonitis
Osteoarthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Athletic Training Performance
Daily New Studies Are Published Adding To The Long List of Benefits
Anti-Aging Skin Benefits of RLT
Red Light Therapy also offers significant anti-aging benefits for the skin. By stimulating collagen production through fibroblasts, RLT improves skin tone and texture, alleviating signs of aging over time according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Conditions RLT May Help:
UV Sun Damage
Wrinkles
Sores
Redness
Scars
Fine Lines
Sagging Skin
Psoriasis
Aging Skin
Cold Sores
Eczema
Acne - Read Below for Details...
RLT shows promise as a supplemental treatment for mild to moderate acne. By targeting and potentially killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin, RLT can improve skin clarity.
Next, fat loss! Yep, you read that right, specific RLT devices, such as our FDA-approved non-invasive devices, have been shown to reduce fat and circumference in targeted body areas.
It stands out as one of the few body contouring modalities that is non-invasive, pain-free, and requires no downtime or side effects. Studies indicate that RLT users typically lose at least 2 inches of fat per session while reaping the general benefits of traditional RLT. Of course, this is with a full body session of RLT (Which we do offer in our RLT Saunas).
Improvement in Mild, Chronic TBIs
A study by Naeser et al. treated mild TBI patients with red and near-infrared light three times a week for six weeks, resulting in improved executive functioning, better sleep, and reduced PTSD symptoms3. Family members reported enhanced social function and a better ability to perform interpersonal and occupational activities. These findings are promising for the treatment of TBI and concussions.
Conditions RLT May Help:
Mild TBI
Concussions
PTSD
In Conclusion
We really hope this article helped to inform you in making your choice when thinking of using Red Light Therapy. As always, be safe, stay well and if you wish to contact us with questions, comments, or to schedule a 100% FREE consultation with our Medical Director, Dr. Moshe Dekel MD. Thanks for your time and until we meet again, 'Remember, attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?". Take care everyone.
Love to All, Team Dr. Dekel.
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