Light Therapy (Phototherapy)

Light Therapy

It’s that time of year folks! What does light therapy mean for you?

Source: Natural Health Care

Classically referred to as heliotherapy, light therapy consists of exposure to daylight or to specific wavelengths of light using lasers, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent lamps, dichroic lamps or very bright, full-spectrum light, usually controlled with various devices. The light is administered for a prescribed amount of time and, in some cases, at a specific time of day.

Common use of the term is associated with the treatment of skin disorders (chiefly psoriasis), sleep disorders, and some psychiatric disorders. Light therapy directed at the skin is also used to treat acne vulgaris, eczema and neonatal jaundice.

Light therapy which strikes the retina of the eyes is used to treat circadian rhythm disorders such as delayed sleep phase syndrome and can also be used to treat seasonal affective disorder, with some support for its use also with non-seasonal psychiatric disorders, these limited studies haven’t been tested in women however.

Other medical applications of light therapy also include accelerated wound healing, hair growth, improvement in blood properties and blood circulation, and sinus-related diseases and disorders. Research is also under way regarding the benefits for neurological disorders. Many of these use low level laser therapy and red light therapy in the 620-660 nm range.

Modern phototherapy lamps used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder and sleep disorders either filter out or do not emit ultraviolet light and are considered safe and effective for the intended purpose, as long as photosensitizing drugs are not being taken at the same time and in the absence of any existing eye conditions.

Light therapy is a mood altering treatment, and just as with drug treatments, there is a possibility of triggering a manic state from a depressive state, causing anxiety and other side effects. While these side effects are usually controllable, it is recommended that patients undertake light therapy under the supervision of an experienced clinician, rather than attempting to self-medicate.

Bright light therapy may ease Parkinson’s disease by reducing patients’ tremors (17516492,17612949). Additionally, a small (20 participants) 2011 study suggested a positive impact of light therapy on overall cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease patients, a preliminary finding requiring larger and quantitative studies to confirm.

The production of the hormone melatonin, a sleep regulator, is inhibited by light and permitted by darkness as registered by photosensitive ganglion cells in the retina. To some degree, the reverse is true for serotonin, which has been linked to mood disorders. Hence, for the purpose of manipulating melatonin levels or timing, light boxes providing very specific types of artificial illumination to the retina of the eye are effective.

Warnings: Side effects of light therapy for sleep phase disorders include jumpiness or jitteriness, headache, and nausea.