Photobiomodulation
PBMT, or photobiomodulation, is a treatment, formally known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). This is a form of medicine that applies red and near infra-red light over injuries, lesions and diseased tissues, not to be confused with high-power lasers which are used in laser medicine to cut or destroy tissue.
Photobiomodulation is directly pro-metabolic as it induces an increase in ATP (energy) production in the mitochondria. Our mitochondria require light to function properly. Red light therapy supplements environmental light with concentrated doses of red and near-infrared light, which is the specific spectrum the mitochondria use to produce ATP. Every cell in your body requires ATP, with reduced ATP production disorders will result.
During a treatment, red and near infra-red is applied on or near your skin, which allows photons to enter the cells of the tissues creating a chain of complex metabolic processes, especially in damaged tissues, which in turn activates and accelerates cellular repair.
Administration of red-light therapy is recommended multiple times per week. The sessions last 20-40 minutes depending upon your unique circumstances.
What Are The Benefits Of Photobiomodulation?
The benefits of PBMT are increased energy production, metabolism, repair of glands and organs, including the thyroid, gut, spine, brain, liver, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. This occurs due to strengthening of the mitochondria, the vital constituent that gives the cell the ability to function and heal.
Damaged injured tissue benefits greatly from PBMT. In the early 1960s, scientists found that red light improved wound healing and reduced pain, inflammation, and swelling. The treatment was also to prevent cell death and tissue damage.
PBM is now also being used to treat cognitive degeneration or traumatic brain
injuries. Including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and epilepsy. It has also been demonstrated to improve visual acuity due to the increased energy production and therefore increased oxygen, in the brain (the therapy is never used directly in the eyes).
PBM has also been shown to be effective in treating children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study found that low-level laser therapy is an effective tool for reducing irritability and other symptoms and behaviors associated with the autistic spectrum disorder in children and adolescents, with positive changes maintained and augmented over time.
PBM has also been shown to improve microbiome function. It heals ulcers, improves immune function (which lives in the gut), and improves microbiome diversity which is key in healthy gut function. The lack of good gut health has been positively linked with obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, restoring the microbiome to optimum diversity and health is vital in treating and resolving these disorders.
PBM has been shown to have a rejuvenating effect on skin and hair (including alopecia), as it helps to build collagen in the skin, increases energy in the hair producing follicles, and it reduces acne via it’s microbiome & antiinflammatory effects. It also helps with herpetic outbreaks. (ask during your therapy to have a couple of minutes of targeted treatment on your face for some rejuvenation)
PBM is becoming a candidate platform approach that can be used to mitigate the side-effects of cancer therapy (radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy). One of the most debilitating of these side effects is oral mucositis that can not only be extremely painful but can also prevent patients from taking normal nourishment.
New evidence has suggested that PBM will affect hormone health by stimulating the Leydid cells in the testicles to produce more testosterone, treat low libido and sexual dysfunction in men. We can extrapolate from this that it will have similar effects on the ovaries in women.
Studies show that PBMT relieves pain, improves wound and soft tissue healing, reduces inflammation, gives relief for acute & chronic pain and stimulates enhanced cell function. However, it is limited to a specific set of wavelengths, and administering LLLT below the dose range does not appear to be effective. Be certain that your treatments are with the correct wavelength.
In conclusion, PBM is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of issues with long lasting health benefits.
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