I am pleased to announce that I am now also offering red light therapy!
This can be incorporated within my existing osteopathic treatment approach and will not be a replacement for hands-on treatment. However I feel that it will provide additional enhanced benefits to my patients going forwards.
So, within this blog I will give a bit more insight into what red light therapy is and how it can help your horse or dog.
Red light therapy stimulates the body's natural healing processes, optimises tissue repair, aids in restoring normal cellular function and can provide pain relief.
The benefits include;
· Pain reduction
· Reduced inflammation
· Improved blood flow and lymphatic drainage
· Increased cellular regeneration and healing
· Improved tissue structure via increased collagen production
How it works … in a nutshell;
· Red light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the cells and stimulates energy production (ATP – adenosine triphosphate)
· It stimulates the light absorbing chromophore (cytochrome c oxidase), releasing nitric oxide which in turn increases blood flow and cell proliferation
· Increased blood flow has healing properties
· Red light therapy also provides pain relief via increased release of endorphins and serotonin
A more detailed explanation of the physiology behind the technology is provided by Photonic Health LLC below:
Each Photonic Health light has a wavelength of 660nm. This is the strength of the light to penetrate the skin and reach the deeper tissue layers. When the light is illuminating the tissues, it is being absorbed by the cells, ALL types of cells. The cells in our body, as well as stem cells, have functioning mitochondria. Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell as it is responsible for the production of energy, or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Inside the mitochondria we have an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. This is a chromophore (meaning light absorbing molecule). When cytochrome c oxidase is exposed to light, it releases something called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a chemical that has a general effect of vasodilation (opening of the blood vessels). By increasing blood flow to any given area of injury or imbalance, the body can heal itself. This can also benefit the absorption and circulation of nutrients, supplements and medications throughout the body.
Another chemical released by the cell when illuminated with Photonic Health red light is ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). These are chemicals released by a cell to signal the body that the cell is under oxidative stress and needs help from the immune system, as well as providing a chemical buffer around healthy cells to protect them from damage.
By supporting basic physiological processes of normal cell cycling, and their circulation throughout the body, Photonic Health red light can have an effect on a number of specific conditions. It can help maintain normal body processes and cellular turnover to stay healthy and vibrant with regular use. It can help maintain the health and appearance of the skin by increasing the turnover of cells on areas that have been affected by sun damage or acne scarring. Using the pad on large areas of the spine can help calm nerves and decrease pain by increasing blood flow to the nerves so they can heal. The carotid artery and femoral artery are access points to the blood to illuminate the blood cells and prevent platelet aggregation and buildup of plaque. Using Photonic Health red light on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet can help treat neuropathy because you are dilating the veins, arteries and small capillaries in the foot to improve proprioception.Photonic Health LLC 2019
