Light Therapy, Phototherapy, Infrared Light Therapy, Seasonal Affective Disorder Lights

How Does Light Therapy Work?

Light therapy, also commonly known as phototherapy, is a drug-free and non-invasive treatment regimen that consists of utilizing very bright artificial light to help ease symptoms of depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sleep disorders and many other mental and physical health conditions. There are two basic categories for light therapy: non-targeted, which comes from a special lamp or light box, and targeted, which is administered through devices and pads placed directly on the body.

Phototherapy lights radiate 10,000 lux of light at specified distances, with the patient sitting or working nearby. These specially designed lamps or light boxes emit precise wavelengths of light through the use of polychromatic polarized light, also known as full-spectrum light, at predetermined angles. Harmful UV light is filtered out, as UV rays can cause eye and skin damage. A lower intensity of distinct light wavelengths from the blue to the green areas of the visible spectrum trigger special receptors in the eyes to signal the brain to respond with more natural body responses, leading to balanced emotions and improved sleep. The body’s natural circadian rhythms are restored with the help of this innovative, non-targeted therapy.

Targeted infrared light therapy uses specially designed hand-held or other kinds of devices to more directly affect and treat the body’s tissues. Specialized equipment utilizes various infrared light configurations that are placed in direct, moving contact with the body, or parts of the body are placed inside these devices. Infrared light penetrates through the skin, absorbing into the deep tissues of the body, triggering the release of nitric oxide inside the body. Because nitric oxide is absolutely crucial to the health of the arteries, this release promotes dramatic improvements for a wide range of ailments that include skin issues and muscle, tendon, ligament and bone issues. Circulation is greatly enhanced with the use of infrared light therapy, and this boost in blood flow always helps speed healing while it additionally reduces inflammation and pain.

The Benefits of Light Therapy

There are a number of varied physical and mental health benefits from phototherapy. Vast amounts of research have already taken place in this field that reiterate its effectiveness in the treatment of mood disorders, sleep disorders and a host of physical disorders that positively respond to infrared light therapy. For example, Mayo Clinic affirmed that light therapy has been proven effective for treating SAD. During controlled-trial comparisons between light therapy and prescription antidepressants, light therapy demonstrated equal effectiveness with a more rapid onset of the therapeutic benefits than antidepressants for the majority of users. Phototherapy has been shown in studies to greatly reduce the depression and debilitating fatigue of SAD, making it a preferred treatment over antidepressant drugs.

Light therapy has also shown promise in the treatment of non-seasonal depression and many other psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, postpartum depression and major depressive disorder. Many healthcare practitioners are using phototherapy as an adjunct to other forms of treatment, or even as a successful stand-alone treatment for these psychological issues. It is also often used as a treatment protocol for sleeping imbalances and difficulties, shift work adjustment, jet lag and low energy/fatigue.

Because infrared light therapy enhances circulation and healing, reducing pain and inflammation so effectively, this more direct and targeted light therapy is often employed for a wide range of injuries and issues that adversely affect the skin and body. These conditions include blunt trauma, muscle strains and sprains, broken bones/fractures, wounds, back pain, neck pain, arthritis (both osteo- and rheumatoid), carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendinitis, sciatica, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, TMJ pain, surgical incisions, psoriasis, eczema and severe acne.

Rehabmart is pleased to offer several innovative light therapy devices from superior quality manufacturers that include Independence Medical and LED Technologies.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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