Infra-Red Light Therapy
Light is heat and heat is light. Each lightwave (color) has its own wavelength which has its own temperature. Remember, this is how infrared light was discovered as infra-red has a hotter temperature than red light.
In the visible spectrum of light each color has its own wavelength.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and indigo. Now, here’s how that light affects the body.
When the body (or a part of the body) malfunctions, it is replaced in a way similar to how machinery is handled. Cells have the ability to repair themselves—by sending repair proteins which either destroy the cell or turn it into a cancer cell. As we age, our cells gradually decay; the DNA stays relatively intact, but proteins degrade with time. This is a big part of the aging process, leading to wrinkled skin as well as more serious consequences.
When these malfunctions are treated with chemical ingredients (medication) they can sometimes cause an array of negative side effects. Contemporary medicine uses these chemical ingredients to suppress how the machine is malfunctioning—but does not address the root issue, which is diseased life energies.
Albert Einstein had a theory about this. His approach dealt with the body not as an amalgamation of parts but as a total system operating in harmony with the electromagnetic light energy of the universe.
His understanding was that Photobiomodulation (or color light therapy; i.e., vibrational healing through specific light waves) lies in rerouted energy fields that form complex relationships with other fields surrounding the physical/cellular substance to “fix” the malfunction of how the machine works.
We are surrounded by light (and color). If we are engulfed in light it goes that this light and color can affect our health in both positive and negative ways. For example, you don’t want to absorb too many gamma rays! An inverse to this is infrared—which is also a specific wavelength of light that gets absorbed into your body and gently raises your core body temperature. A rise in core body temperature is very similar to exercise which when sustained over a period of time causes the body to sweat—which is extremely healthy. This is also true when your body absorbs specific colors of the visible light spectrum.
According to the theory of chromotherapy, the body itself is composed of colors.
The body exists from colors: the body (and its parts) is stimulated by these colors. Internal organs and limbs of the body have their own color (literally); and thus, their own vibrational energy/wavelength.
We are all energy—down to the cellular level. Our body parts, organs, skin, hair and cells are energy centers which vibrate and harmonize with the frequencies of these colors and these colors harmonize with these body parts.
When these individual body parts deviate from these expected normal vibrations the body is either diseased or malfunctioning. By vibrating these malfunctioning parts with their harmonized wavelengths (colors) they become balanced and the diseased energy patterns are corrected.
Let’s dive into how Photobiomodulation works.
Short answer: yes.
Red Light Therapy (RLT, also, Photobiomodulation [PBM]) is a form of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) which releases light with relatively long wavelengths (600-1000 nanometers) over injuries or lesions to improve wound and soft tissue healing, reduce inflammation and give relief for both acute and chronic pain.
The red lights are released from light-emitting diodes (LED) that is usually built into a device made to expose these radiations to your body (such as lamps or lasers).
LEDs release energy through photons, which is the most fundamental unit of light and are released due to moving electrons within atoms (within the light). The intensity of PBM lasers and LEDs is not high like a surgical laser. There is no heating effect.
RLT is commonly found in gyms, spas, tanning salons, saunas or dermatology offices where you can take sessions. Each session lasts around 20 minutes and it may take up to 10 sessions for you to observe the health benefits. The procedure involves lying down or standing in front of the provider’s LED lights, more often directed towards the face, areas that show signs of aging or a particular injury. The lights are placed within inches of the treated area.
Within this range, two types of low-level light are produced. The first is red light, which has an approximate wavelength of around 620-750 nm which is also known as the therapeutic window. Red is among one of the colors that are in sunlight, which is the wavelength that specifically gives you that refreshing and warm feeling when you bathe under the sun. As mentioned, infrared means, “below-red.” As red moves from the color to infra-red, there is some crossover of color. (Red is also the hottest visible color).
On the other hand, is near-infrared light (NIR) which has wavelengths between the range of 750-2500 nm. They range just above the visible light spectrum with an even more specific therapeutic window ranging from 800 to 880 nm. Due to their longer wavelengths, NIR light is capable of penetrating deeper into the body’s tissues compared to red light. When these wavelengths penetrate the skin, it increases the synthesis of a molecule called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) at a cellular level.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is known as the primary molecule which creates and stores energy amongst all living organisms. They are produced through cellular respiration, a process in which molecules are broken down to release energy for cells to perform their primary functions.
During this process, nitric oxide is known to interfere with ATP production by increasing oxidative stress which may lead to cellular death. Nitric oxide levels usually rise when we experience stress or become ill. Hence, living in perpetual stress would reduce the longevity of our cells due to the lack of oxygen consumption and energy production.
During Red Light Therapy, red and near infrared light are absorbed by chromophores in the cells. By removing the nitric oxide roadblock, the cellular respiration process would occur much more efficiently in our bodies leading to more production of ATP and cellular regeneration.
As more energy is produced and with cellular death being significantly decreased, the body’s metabolic functions become amplified. Hence the consumption of oxygen would increase which cells use to build new proteins to promote cellular regeneration. This is what causes the myriad of rejuvenating, detoxifying and strengthening effects that celebrities, athletes and everyday people have experienced through the red light therapy treatment.
Red light therapy is getting extremely popular. The way it is administered I personally don’t understand. Patients stand in front of a tower (or LED panel) and then turn their body 360° during a 20-30 minute span. Unfortunately, this reminds me of our rotisserie chicken example. Remember?
As we’ve already gone over, this is not ideal—it’s (1) uncomfortable to keep spinning yourself around and (2) not the fastest way to absorb infrared energy (either through infrared in LED form or by way of light felt as heat. What would be better would be better would be to have the LEDs enveloping your body at 360° around you.
While I can not deny the health benefits and medical studies with conclusive evidence of Photobiomodulation benefits, I think the best way to administer LED light would be in an infrared sauna. That way, you are doing two things at once—raising your core body temperature as well as energizing your cells through increasing ATP rejuvenation with LED lights. The ideal scenario would be to have both the infrared and LED lights surrounding your body from every direction.
By adding RLT to an infrared sauna session, you get the (dare I say) “Full Spectrum” of infrared benefits.
Additionally, doing so would stimulate the production of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) which are bodily proteins that promotes its metabolism. Increased temperatures also enhance cardiovascular functions such as boosting blood flow, the rate at which the heart pumps blood and efficiency of transporting oxygen to the muscles. Furthermore, this prevents cellular death, promotes the strengthening of muscles and bones, increases detoxification, pain relief and wound healing.
I go into far greater detail of Red Light Therapy health benefits in the health benefits chapter below.
At 650nm, red light penetrates the skin by 10 mm, enhancing the natural energy production of your body’s cells. Natural light wavelengths enter the cell and stimulate the mitochondria (which is the powerhouse of cells). This increases the cellular respiration process which creates ATP energy.
This greatly helps damaged cells to repair themselves, causing scars and sun damag to slowly disappear. Increased collagen levels provides your skin with structure and slows the effects of aging by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. As a result, higher levels of collagen also increase the production of elastin and fibrillin which gives the skin greater elasticity, connective tissues and natural regenerative abilities.
Additionally, increased collagen levels are crucial for the maintenance of bones since it is the main component of cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscles. Studies have found that athletes who have more collagen experienced less joint pain during extensive walks and exercise sessions.
Red light therapy can also be used to supplement acne treatments. Their anti-inflammatory effects decrease the skin’s production of oil and bacteria without using products or techniques with chemicals that may dry the skin.
Most of these benefits are mainly attributed to red light as it can only penetrate through the surface of the skin. However, NIR light is capable of penetrating deeper into the body’s tissue to remedy serious injuries or illnesses.
Athletes or individuals with significant injuries can accelerate their recovery by targeting affected areas during red light therapy. Other conditions that they can recover from include foot ulcers, Achilles tendons and muscle atrophy. Furthermore, RLT is an effective pain relief method so that they can recover with ease and continue training to get back in shape.
After NASA successfully implemented red light therapy on astronauts, they continued to contribute their findings to cancer treatment. Over two years, patients who were undergoing bone marrow or stem cell treatment in hospitals were also given High Emissivity Aluminiferous Luminescent Substrate (HEALS).
It has since been proven to reduce pain from oral mucositis in patients by 96%, which is one of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. HEALS was also used to reduce the effects of multiple sclerosis, diabetic conditions, Parkinson’s and some ocular applications.
LEDs have also been used in oral light therapy to alleviate sensitive teeth, reducing bacteria, inflammation, oral wounds, infections such as candida and as pain relief when patients are recovering from gum and jaw bone surgeries. Studies have found that red light therapy is especially effective in dramatically reducing bacteria counts compared to tooth-brushing, which eventually leads to less tooth decay and cavities.
Red light therapy is known to treat a variety of brain disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries, global ischemia, Parkinson’s and more. Multiple reviewed cases found that red light therapy improves cognitive capacity and spatial learning. Studies have also shown that it can effectively mitigate symptoms of Dementia, which has no known cure.
Dementia is a condition where the brain deteriorates, causing cognitive deficits. After patients suffering from dementia undertook red light therapy, they demonstrated improvements in executive functioning, neuroplasticity and connectivity measurements.
They can also act as additional treatments to psychiatric disorders such as seasonal affective disorders, insomnia, depression and more. A study on veterans found that those who were exposed to red and NIR light therapy reduced their depression scores by up to 18%.
NASA has done extensive investigations to prevent the bone and muscle loss of astronauts while in space due to the lack of gravity. Astronauts lose 1-2% of bone mineral density for every month that they are in space and may have increased risk of developing fractures after returning to Earth. They developed red light/NIR treatment that was also named HEALS. It received its accreditation as a FDA-approved product which is proven to reduce the effects of bone atrophy.
Researchers from Sao Paulo have also discovered that shining LED lights on legs during exercise helps eliminate cellulite while reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bone weakens and becomes fragile to even the smallest of bumps. Those who had exercised without the lights lost 2.5% more bone mass compared to those who did over the course of 2 years. The same effects can be said for conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.