Light Heals

Yesterday’s Medicine & Today’s Science: Natural Light
History of Light Therapy 

• Light in Medicine
• History and Recorded Uses
• Key Terms in Light Therapy 
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Wavelengths
• Light Pathways - visual and skin
• Natural Light Recommendations

Light Effects on the Human Body

• How Light Works in the Body
• Photoreceptors
• Mitochondria
• Krebs Cycle, Cytochrome C Oxidase

Today’s Science: Red and Near Infrared Light Therapy

• LED vs. Laser technology
• Defining and understanding:
• Names for Red LED Light Therapy
  • Irradiance/Intensity mw/Cm2
  • Dosage J/cm2 - Energy
  • Treatment Time
  • Treatment Area
  • Treatment Frequency
  • Direct vs. non direct red light therapy - wraps vs. panels

RL and NIR Therapy: Effects on the Body
Molecular Mechanisms (How Light Works at the Molecular Level)

• CCO - primary photo receptor at molecular level
  • On the end of the ETC in Kreb’s Cycle
  • When CCO is activated by light, increases ATP production
  • Converts light energy to ATP
• Collagen - stimulated by TGF-B (Transforming growth factor-B)
  • 40J/cm2 was the ideal dose for collagen promotion
• ROS - reactive oxygen species (oxidative stress) is reduced with Red Light Therapy
  • This is why Red Light Therapy can help with repair after muscle injury as  it inhibits oxidative stress
• Cytokines - inflammatory mediator is reduced following Red Light Therapy.
  • If inflammation is present, Red Light Therapy is “anti inflammatory”
  • If inflammation is NOT present, Red Light Therapy creates pro-inflammatory response to help with tissue healing
• Keratinocytic Growth Factor - accelerator of healing process
  • Red Light Therapy increases speed of wound healing because of KGF increase

Indications: How Light Therapy Works
Cellular Mechanisms (How Light Works at the Cellular Level)

• Inflammation
  • Red Light Therapy can inhibit prostaglandin, causing an anti-inflammatory effect
• Cellular Protection
  • Red Light Therapy can reduce toxicity and results in cytoprotective effect
• Proliferation
  • Red Light Therapy can promote cellular proliferation with results in anti-inflammatory, tissue healing and acceleration of cellular function in cells like osteoblasts (bony healing) and keratinocytes (tissue healing)
• Migration
  • Red Light Therapy promotes movement of cells which can accelerate repair of specific tissues like tendon.
• Protein Synthesis
  • Red Light Therapy enhances protein expression which improves function and growth rate of epithelial cells, which can help enhance bony and tissue healing rate.
• Stem Cells
  • Red Light Therapy impacts mesenchymal stem cell activity but needs more data to be used clinically. 

Tissue Mechanisms (How Light Works at the Tissue Level)
Systemic Mechanisms (How Light Works at the System Level)

Red Light Therapy Indications

For all indications, each section will include content on:

• Mechanism of how red light influences the particular problem
• Research review on pertinent studies related to the indication
• Treatment parameters for each indication
  • Wrap or Panel
  • Treatment duration
  • Goal dosage
  • Frequency treatments per day, week or month

Pain and Inflammation

• Acute and Persistent Pain
• Local Inflammation
• Systemic Inflammatory Conditions 

Sports Performance & Recovery 

• Pre-sport treatments
• Post-sport treatments

Hormonal Regulation & Chemistry

Red Light therapy Indications Continued

• Sleep Management 
  • Melatonin-Cortisol Feedback Loop
  • Circadian Rhythm Management
  • Sleep assistance for those with other disorders
• Mental Health
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • SAD
• Skin, Hair & Fat
• Skin healing, inflammatory and acne conditions
  • Hair - regrowth, stopping loss
  • Fat - aesthetic management
• Eye Health
  • Vision
  • Dry
• Eye Conditions

Contraindications to Light Therapy Treatment 

• Heat/Thermal
• Eyes
• Skin Tone
• Age: Geriatrics & Pediatrics
• Health Conditions: Pregnancy
• Medication Interactions
• EMF & Flicker

Picking a Red Light Therapy Product for Clinic/Home Use

• Review Power measurements
• Irradiance
• EMF
• Flicker
• Contact vs. Non Contact
• Area

Case Study Review

• Overall Wellness – Depression & Anxiety