How Are Light Therapies Applied?
There are innumerable ways in which light can be used therapeutically by the body, apart from the obvious and original sunlight (as in Heliotherapy). It can be applied via skin, via eyes, on acupuncture points, on the skull, inside the mouth, in the nose cavity, and even intravenously!
Here is a synopsis of some more commonly known methods, with links if you wish to explore further.
(Please Note - Not all these methods are used in our clinic, but advice can be given to guide you in your use of these.)
Vie Light (Intra-nasally)
(Available In Clinic)
A portable clip on a light device allows a probe to sit comfortably in the nose for approximately 20 minutes. The nose is rich in blood supply and small capillaries, so this location can be useful to irradiate the entire blood supply.
Red light is used to stimulate immune function and energy, whereas NIR (Near Infra Red) is used to alter brain chemistry, useful for mood disorders, poor sleep, memory and altzeimer's disease. NIR penetrates deeper than other forms of light, so irradiating the nose with NIR is an effective method to access brain tissue.
Read here for more information.
Colour-Puncture
(Available in Clinic)
Light is shown to enter the body effectively via acupuncture points. Studies have shown that the light is transferred along the meridians and is able to be detected at distal ends of the meridians.
Coloured light (either low level laser or non-laser) can be used to stimulate acupuncture points in similar ways to needles.
The Photon Stimulator can be used to apply colourpuncture via a fibre optic cable delivering pure xenon source light. Read more here.
Molimed in another company producing colour-puncture equipment - LED monochromatic colour pens. Read here for more information.
Iris Phototherapy
(Available In Clinic)
A technique applied by the Photon Stimulator, whereby a small amount of pure coloured light is delivered via fibre optic cable to approximately 2 cm away from the iris for about 30 seconds on each eye. Usually the pupillary border is irradiated to induce a relaxing parasympathetic response, helpful to assist the person’s body to be more responsive to following forms of therapy applied.
Read more here.
Low Level Laser Therapy
Low level laser therapy is a form of coherent, monochromatic light, often pulsed at specific frequencies, and sometimes in continuous stream.
There are many different classes of lasers (I to IV, I being low powered and IV highest).
Most lasers use red and NIR wavengths. They can be hand held (and therefore portable) or attached to a console with fibre optic cables.
Low level laser therapy has a large body of research backing its clinical effects. It is commonly used for wound healing, pain relief, inflammation, hair growth, skin and rejuvenation effects.
For more information on laser devices available go here.
Auricular Colour Puncture
(Available In Clinic)
This is a technique where colour light (either monochromatic or polychromatic) is applied to specific ear acupuncture points. The colour chosen is dependant on whether a tonifying action (warming colours) or a sedating effect (cooling colours) is required.
The ear has been designated numerous reflex points relating to body functions and parts. Colour is applied usually by fibre optic cable, as in the Photon Stimulator. Read more here.
NIR Hand-Held Devices
(Available In Clinic)
Portable hand held devices which emit large doses of infra-red light stimulates dysfunctional body parts into regeneration. The Near Infra Red radiation can be generated by a laser device or by a LED device, such as Monocrom’s light wand. See here.
Trans-Cranial Near Infra Red (NIR)
(Available In Clinic)
NIR light has been shown to affect brain chemistry and have therapeutic benefits for traumatic brain injuries, altzeimer’s disease, Post Traumatic Stress disorder, strokes and other neurological conditions.
Trans-cranial NIR therapy can be administed by a cranial cap, or manually with low level laser devices.
Vie light uses a cranial cap emitting NIR from several outputs which is useful for this purpose. See more here.
Alternatively, hand held LED devices which emit NIR (such as in monocrom) or laser consoles can also used for this purpose.
Orally (In Mouth)
In Norman Doige’s book ‘The Brain That Heals Itself’, he describes a PoNs light device used on the tongue close to the roof of the mouth, which has shown to powerfully alter brain neuro-plasticity. Upon request for more information, Doige answers -
‘almost every one of the PoNs devices are in the hands of the U.S. Military, which is doing a study of its use for treating traumatic brain injury in veterans, and with researchers, elsewhere, including at the Montreal Neurological Institute, which is studying the device with Multiple Sclerosis patients. The PoNS is not expected to be available in the USA or Canada until about December 2016, Australia the first half of 2017.’
However similar treatment can be administered intra-orally via other low level laser devices.
Photo-Dynamic Therapy
This is a form of light therapy which combines administering light-sensitive compounds (usually substances derived from high pigmented plants such as Hypericum and Chlorophyl) with low level laser or other light sources.
The substance is either ingested, rubbed on skin, or injected into the patient’s body. Within a couple of hours, a specific wavelength of light is administered either externally to the skin, or intra-venously, through a catheter and fibre optic laser cable.
The specific wavelengths of light interacts with the compound, creating a chemical reaction which destroys cancer cells. It is commonly used externally to treat acne.
You can read more here.
Light Boxes
Light boxes are used to help treat depression naturally. A luminosity strength of 10,000 lux power is required and the light should be full-spectrum, as close to the sun's natural light as possible. Some sources claim it is best to filter out all or most of UV light.
This therapy is best applied within the first hour of waking, for 20 to 30 minutes per day and at an approximate distance of 50 cm from the face with eyes open.
Read more here.
LED Panels for Skin
LED light panels are used usually for skin rejuvenation or correction, and for mood stabilization. Blue and red panels are most often used to repair skin disorders.
Blue light has an-antibacterial / anti-mictobial effect whereas red light improves circulation repairs and restores collagen, improves circulation.
This form of light therapy is growing in popularity for its anti-aging and anti-acne effects.
Facial Light Masks
A facial mask is fitted with LED lights on the interior (usually blue or red).
The mask is placed directly onto the skin of the face and switched on and left in place. This direct method of phototherapy rejuvenates facial skin and corrects skin conditions such as acne,
These light devices are readily available on EBay.
Wrist Bands
Watch-like devices can be worn around the wrist which emit laser or LED light onto key specific acupoints. These points usually affect mood and heart function beneficially.
Additionally light can be placed at the radial artery position which penetrates into the blood easily (due to its close proximity to the surface at this area). This is a form of 'blood irradiation', which, when left on for 20 minutes minimum, can assist white blood cell activity.
LED/NIR Blankets or Pads
Blankets or pads are inserted with tightly packed red LED lights, sometimes also including NIR lights
The pads are wrapped around painful or inflamed body areas and left in place for a direct healing effect. Sometimes also used on horses.
Look here for a comparison chart of different products available.
Intra-Articular Laser
(Inserting Catheter into Joint Space)
In order to allow light’s effects penetrate deeply into joint spaces of injured, inflamed and painful areas, a catheter can be inserted into the area. First a small amount of saline solution (salt water) is injected into the space, and then a low level laser optic cable is inserted into the catheter, whereupon the light is distributed deeply into the tissues. Dr. Michael Weber of Germany is a founding proponent of this technique. See here for more information.
Spectro-Chrome
(Available in Clinic)
Dinshah Gardiali inroduced a system of chromo-therapy (colour therapy) where he used specific coloured filters overlayed over a projector light from a source of an incandescent globe. Specific body areas were irradiated with specific colours for varying conditions. He used warming and cooling colours according to the presenting condition of the patient.
Read more here.
Audio-Visual Brain Entrainment
(Light Glasses and Headphones)
(Available in Clinic)
Brainwave entrainment involves the use of pulsing tones and flashing lights to direct the brain to produce a certain brainwave. The BrainCore AVE device includes a set of glasses that have flashing lights along the frame and a set of headphones attached to the main device. This method is useful for psychological and neurological conditions.
For information on different Audio-Visual Entrainment systems, check the MindAlive system here, the Mindfit Self Mastery system here and general information about brainwave entrainment here.
Monocrom Dome
(Available in Clinic)
This is a colour therapy dome which sits over the head area. It is created as a giant replica of the human eye and constructed like a planetarium. The Ganzfeld Effect gives the illusion of infinite space filled with brilliant colour projections. The visual sensation is similar to floating.
The holographic irradiation in the dome has a profound psychological impact.
Only 10 minutes of monochromatic light is needed per session. Thereafter a few weeks are required to digest the visual information. Clients soon notice a marked improvement of physical and emotional status.
Read more here.
Photonwave (Syntonics)
This device is a tubular cylinder in which the client places her or his face at the end, gazing at monochromatic LED pulsing coloured lights, set at specific frequencies designed to induce changes in the brain state.
Light enters the eyes and brain which activates certain brain pathways.
Sessions typically last 10 to 15 minutes and are best repeated 2 to 3 times per week until changes are noted.
This method is used specifically for brain, neurological and psychological imbalances, such as ADDH, learning difficulties, anxiety, depression and children behaviour issues The device is based on syntonics principles, 'neuro - optometry'.
Learn more here.
Alphasphere
(Multi-sensation bed and room)
A multisensory experience room combining colour, shape and light with sound, vibration and warmth enhancing sensual perception to induce deep relaxation with an energising effect.
An award winning device by Austrian artist, installed in private lofts, public museums, luxury hotel spas, modern offices, psychotherapy and medical clinics.
See more here.
Sensora Multi Sensorial Environment
The Sensora illuminates a hemispherical projection screen large enough to cover your whole field of vision, so that you feel immersed in a field of exquisitely pure colors – a very powerful and moving experience.
Learn more here.
Interested In Light and Colour Therapies?
You can join the
International Light Association which holds annual conferences, with cutting edge information by world leading experts in the field.
You can view their website
and look at their Youtube channel for previous conference presentations
here.
Body Boost Bed
(Light Bed)
A whole body capsule - similar to modern UV tanning booths - fitted with pulsing red, blue and NIR LED lights, accompanied by audio.
Designed to rejuvenate skin, energy, immune system and give a deep relaxation effect.
Research planned to undergo at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital to study effects on Mitochondrial Disease.
Read here for more details.
Safe Natural Effective Therapy
4 Mortlock St, Hamilton Hill,
W. Australia. 6163
Ph - 0437 968 277