Light Therapy

The TheraPhoto Therapy System generation of LED therapy is used by Dr. Aaron Shakarian at Aarons Chiropractic in Beverly Hills, CA.

The most common use for the TheraPhoto system is for treating myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, joint pain, bruising, fractures, muscle problems, edemas, and wounds. The TheraPhoto system is used to treat wounds that have failed to heal or are getting worse. Wound infections resolve quickly and close without a multiplication of proud flesh. Light therapy also has an anti-bacterial effect. Because light therapy induces the production of collagen, an increase tensile strength and elasticity in scar tissue has been observed, allowing the scar tissue to withstand movement without breaking down over time.

More specifically, photonic (light) therapy has been established as a useful tool to:

• Releases nitric oxide from hemoglobin, which initiates the healing process.

• Increase vascularity (circulation) by increasing the formation of new capillaries, which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed up the healing process by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients needed for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.

• Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair damaged tissue and to replace old tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together and has a high degree of elasticity. By increasing collagen production less scar tissue is formed at the damaged site.

• Stimulate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major carrier of energy to all cells. Increases in ATP allow cells to accept nutrients faster and get rid of waste products faster by increasing the energy level in the cell. All food turns into ATP before the cells utilize it. ATP provides the chemical energy that drives the chemical reaction of the cell.

• Increase lymphatic system activity. Edema, which is the swelling or natural splinting process of the body, has two basic components. The first is a liquid part that can be evacuated by the blood system," and the second is comprised of the proteins that have to be evacuated by the lymphatic system. Research has shown that the lymph vessel diameter and the flow of the lymph system can be doubled with the use of light therapy. 47

The. venous diameter and the arterial diameters can also be increased. This means that both parts of edema (liquid and protein) can be evacuated at a much faster rate to relieve swelling

• Reduce the excitability of nervous tissue. The photons of light energy enter the body as negative ions. This calls upon the body to send positive ions like calcium among others to go to the area being treated. These ions assist in firing the nerves thereby relieving pain.

• Stimulate fibroblastic activity that aids in the repair process. Fibroblasts are present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibers.

• Increase phagocytosis, the process of scavenging for and ingesting dead or degenerated cells by phagocyte cells for the purpose of clean up. This is an important part of the infection fighting process. Destruction of the infection and clean up must occur before the healing process can take place.

• Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue. The light raises the temperature of the cells through a photochemical reaction.

• Stimulate tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissues.

• Stimulate acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine causes cardiac inhibition, vasodilatation, gastrointestinal peristalsis and other parasympathetic effects.

At this time research has shown no side effects from LED light therapy although caution is urged for those people taking photosensitive drugs such as, but not limited to, tetracycline. Occasionally, one may experience an increase in pain or discomfort for a short period of time after treating chronic conditions. This is normal as the body returns to equilibrium following a treatment. Many alternative practitioners refer to this as a "healing crisis" that may occur as part of the normal process of recovery in some people. Any temporary increase in pain or discomfort is simply the body acknowledging an old problem and can be seen as positive feedback.