Low Level LED Light Therapy

LED Low Level Light Therapy- What is it?  

!More and more these days I’m beginning to consider myself as a pupil of the biohacker age (thank you Dave Asprey for that coined term) and not “just” as an Acupuncture Physician.  It’s whole systems health that I’m interested in obtaining AND providing to my patients. It is no secret that Healthcare is constantly changing and adapting with latest research and technology.  Such exiting stuff is happening all around us all the time. This, of course. includes exciting advancements in our very own alternative and complimentary health field.  And as it advances, I want be on the front line of what’s out there.  The newest technological device that we are adding to our holistic Health Pointe utility kit is an LED light panel. This malleable and easy to use device delivers light emitting diodes (LEDs) and heat in the infrared (IR) spectrum.

According to the Biophotas website, light therapy has been shown to be extremely beneficial and will continue to play a huge role in the future of medicine for treating many conditions, including wound healing.  The 2012 article “Nuts and Bolts of Low Level Laser Therapy” in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering quotes one researcher as stating  “the day may not be far off when most homes will have a light source (most likely a LED device) to be used for aches, pains, cuts, bruises, joints, and which can also be applied to the hair and even transcranially to the brain”.  Well, the time is upon us, friends.

Just what is low-level light therapy? Perhaps you have heard of the terms biophotonic or low-level light therapy. Both terms synonymously are used to describe the delivery of light energy to treat a variety of medical conditions. It is the application of specific wavelengths of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits. The energy delivered is then used to improve cellular performance. Low-level light therapy can be delivered through light emitting diode (LED) devices or cold lasers, and has a variety of applications across many medical fields. The treatment is non-invasive, painless, requires no recovery time, and can be used on all skin types.

Originally developed by NASA for astronauts who could become injured or ill on a long-term space flight, the technology is used today as a safe and natural method of treating a variety of skin and pain conditions such as acne, anti-aging, and pain.

According to researcher and Licensed Acupuncturist Leanne Venier, with low-level laser light therapy you can “heal your body and brain, sleep great, boost your muscle performance, and reverse the aging process.” I’d sign up for that! Actually I already have….

Let’s take a closer look at the many uses and benefits of LED light therapy:

Acne: Acne is a frustrating skin condition that can affect people of all ages. Blue light is found to produce a specific arrangement of oxygen in the skin. This high energy form of oxygen is deadly to the bacteria that causes acne, and, when the chemical reaction occurs, the bacteria literally self-destructs. Once the colony of bacteria (acne) is gone, the skin’s inflammation will subside as well as any redness and pigmentation. This FDA approved treatment offers rapid improvement with no side-effects. In addition to destroying acne, blue light will also reduce skin’s oiliness, minimize pores, and strengthen the skin’s own anti-inflammatory responses. This is great news for cystic acne sufferers!

LED light therapy works safely and effectively, without abrasive chemicals, harmful UV-rays or side effects, to destroy acne-causing bacteria to not only clear up existing blemishes, but to  prevent future breakouts before they happen. In just a few quick treatments, you’ll be on your way to a clearer, smoother, more radiant complexion.

Wrinkles:  Skin aging is an inevitable process that affects everyone at some point in their lives. Unlike the traditional modalities of removing layers of the skin in order to promote new skin growth, LED provides aesthetic improvement of aged skin without having to create any initial harm or destruction. Following a low-energy laser treatment in red LEDs, research has reported increases in the production of pro-collagen, collagen, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and an increase in production of fibroblasts – aka: improved skin regeneration and elasticity.

By adding LED light therapy to your skin care regimen you can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while experiencing an improvement in skin texture, quality and smoothness. Using wavelengths that are scientifically proven to stimulate fibroblasts to increase collagen and elastin, low-level light therapy is a safe, effective and convenient way to achieve a healthy, youthful glow in a natural, non-toxic, non-invasive manner.

Wound healing:  Similar to how LED can help with aging skin, red LED with the addition of infrared (IR) wavelengths can dramatically help skin rejuvenation in wound healing. This is again done without inflicting any injury to the wound or to the surrounding bruised area. In a recent study, patients who received solely light treatment for their wound found a noticeable softening of skin textures, as well as a reduction in skin coarseness, surrounding redness, and fine lines. Unlike the LED usage for wrinkles, when LED light therapy is used for wound healing, red LED and IR wavelengths are absorbed by epithelial cells, which is the outside most layer of your skin. ATP is once again stimulated by these wavelengths which increases their production and causes new cells to produce in the affected area, causing the wound to close.

Pain Management: Scientifically proven to relieve arthritic pain, muscle and joint pain and stiffness, LED provides compromised cells with the energy to regain and restore vitality naturally. Its powerful, deeply penetrating wavelengths are absorbed by photoacceptors in the mitrochondria. This process increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — the fuel that drives all cells. This boost of cellular energy results in a cascade of metabolic events leading to an increase in micro-circulation, tissue repair, and a decrease in inflammation and pain.

LED light therapy also relieves arthritic pain, muscular pain and stiffness in just 30 minutes alone. Perfect for athletic injuries and can be used by itself for our needle phobic patients

Beyond the three conditions described above, there are many other diseases and disorders that can be alleviated by use of low level light therapy. Many of these conditions require a combination of red, blue, and IR wavelengths. They are:

• Edema
• Shingles (Herpes Virus)
• Vitiligo
• Hypertonic scars and keloids
• Burns
• Psoriasis
• Hair Loss
• Alopecia
• Fat reduction
• Cellulite
• Stretch marks

In summary, LED light therapy is safe, quick and effective for a myriad of conditions. It is recommended for skin rejuvenation, acne, rosacia, sun damage, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, wound healing, injury recovery, and anyone just looking to restore skin’s radiance.

Would you like to learn more? We’d love to see you! Request an appointment today by clicking HERE.