What is Light Therapy
We are very excited to start offering light therapy treatments at EAWB! We will be using a Celluma Light Therapy system. Light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), phototherapy, or low-level light therapy, has a wide array of clinical applications. We can use phototherapy for systemic imbalances like sluggish circulation or poor wound healing. It can be used for skin applications, like anti-aging (increasing skin tone, texture & clarity, decrease under eye wrinkles), and anti-acne (improving acne prone skin & killing acne bacteria, and decreasing skin inflammation). It is also helpful for pain management because light therapy can ease muscle and joint pain, reduce stiffness & spasms, and decrease arthritic pain. This system can also be used to help restore hair loss.
So, what is light therapy? Light therapy is the use of red or near infrared (NIR) light to trigger a natural bio-stimulatory effect in human tissue. NIR enters the cells via light particles, called photons, all the way thru the cell wall into the mitochondria, which increases ATP production. ATP (adenosine triphosphate), is what which provides energy to drive most of the processes in living cells. In TCM, we recognize this idea as Qi, because Qi is our life force energy! When the body is exposed to NIR light, each one of our cells will produce energy more efficiently. As electric beings, we are basically being charged like a battery. The resulting elevation of ATP is then used to power metabolic processes, synthesize DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes & other products needed to repair or regenerate cell components, foster cell proliferation, and restore homeostasis (balanced Yin & Yang!). As an example- fibroblast cells will increase collagen and elastin production in connective tissue to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in our skin and increase the rate of wound healing following a light therapy session.
Light therapy devices are typically used to penetrate to a specific area/depth to directly effect a type of tissue, such as skin cells or muscle cells. But, it is interesting to note that the use of light therapy has systemic effects too. This has only more recently been discovered as the discovery of fully functioning cell-free mitochondria in our blood stream has being uncovered by scientists.
From a TCM point of view, light therapy can enhance Qi, move blood & dispel stasis to stop pain, dispel damp, warm the channels to stop pain and increase circulation, calm the shen/spirit, and to open the orifices.
Light therapy treatments are non-invasive, painless, require no recovery time, and can be used safely on all skin types. It is also safe for use in large surface areas of the skin, is non-toxic, and doesn’t use any pharmacological substances. It can also be used safely around pets, or for pets!
If you would like to experience light therapy, give us a call.