An Introduction to Red Light Therapy
Author: Dr. Julia Marie, NMD
Intro to Red Light Therapy (RLT):
As we know, our bodies require light, water and nutrients for energy.
Our intelligent body knows how to convert each of these into exactly what it needs in order to heal. When we give ourselves the building blocks for optimal health, our body knows exactly what to do with them. Red light therapy is a powerful technology in that it concentrates the naturally occurring wavelengths of red and near infrared light, to optimize bodily functions.
These wavelengths of red and near infrared, which are simply different kinds of light, work on the energy centers of the body called the mitochondria. Every single cell in your body has mitochondria, and when the mitochondria are given the proper resources, it can adequately heal the cell, restoring balance and health in the body. Because red light therapy stimulates the mitochondria, we can upregulate this process so that when cells have more energy they can function more efficiently, rejuvenate faster, and repair necessary damage⁴.
What RLT Can Do For You:
Lowers inflammation:
The wavelengths of light used in RLT act as a powerful antioxidant, meaning this stimulates the body’s cell to clean up harmful debris from cellular processes that would lead to further cell injury, slowing down recovery and speeding up disease processes. You may have heard of oxidative stress (also known as chronic inflammation), wreaking havoc on the body leading to things such as muscle weakness, fatigue, joint pain and chronic disease⁴.
Improved Circulation:
RLT increases the circulation of blood, because when you stimulate the cells, you stimulate all healing mechanisms of the body. When the body receive more blood which carries vital oxygen and nutrients, the body’s detoxification is sped up as the healing materials are circulated more quickly and toxins are kicked out more efficiently⁴.
Skin benefits:
Besides physiological benefits, RLT has also become popular due to it’s vanity and cosmetic based benefits, why not have it all right? Studies showed that there was a significant improvement in many aging and cosmetic measures such as: reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and improvement of collagen density². In this double blind study participants also noticeably looked younger, and quite a different appearance.
In addition, RLT has been proven to improve several other skin related issues¹⁻³:
Wound healing, scars
Several types of acne
Many skin cancers
Psoriasis, rosacea and eczema
Sun damaged skin
Stretch marks
Even if someone does not have a medically related issue, RLT will support overall youthfulness, facial texture, and health of the skin.
My personal experience with RLT:
My personal experience with RLT was an extremely positive one; it helped me to normalize my sleep cycle, as well as improve my mood and energy. Consistency and intention is key with RLT. I committed to 4 morning or evening sessions every week for about 1 month. During these sessions I set intentions for how I wanted to feel, what I wanted to bring into my life and that I gave my body permission to heal. I’ve caught myself in the past “trying to heal and doing all the right things” but I was really just going through the motions and expecting a drastic result. As with anything in healing or recovery, we have to take consistent, intentional, meaningful actions, and stay present during the process to receive the full benefits.
Dr. Julia Marie, NMD
Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor
Emotional Breakthrough Specialist
Disclaimer:
All information posted is merely for education and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional or medical advice. Please consult with your Primary Care Physician if you have any concerns or questions. Should you decide to act upon any information on this website, you do so at your own risk.
Resources:
¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5988166/
² https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy
⁴ Joovv, Inc., 2020