What is infrared or light therapy?

Light Energy is currently being used in clinical and home settings around the globe. Light energy has been in use by the medical profession for more than 20 years, to reduce pain and increase circulation. Its growing acceptance has become more abundant in the medical field.

Can anyone use light energy?

Light Energy equipment can be used safely without medical supervision by an individual at home or by a health professional in a clinical setting. The sessions are affordable, completely safe and non-invasive. As is the case with most modalities, if you are pregnant, are light sensitive, or are taking any medications that cause light sensitivity such as Tetracycline, please consult with your doctor regarding the use of any light therapy system.

Has the FDA reviewed Light Energy equipment or other infrared systems?

Light Therapy equipment, and many other infrared therapy products, is recognized by the FDA under classification (IRT) 890.5740 or other 510k listings. Both classifications require the manufacturing facilities to be registered with the FDA and adhere to GMP quality standards and are subject to inspection.

Does Light Energy equipment require a prescription from a physician?

No. Infrared devices such as Light Therapy do not require a prescription. Anyone may purchase a system without prescription. However, if you wish to receive treatments at a clinic with infrared therapy, your insurance or Medicare usually requires a prescription or referral to the facility in order to be reimbursed under your health plan. This is a completely separate issue from purchasing a system for your home or personal use.

What happens when Light Energy equipment is used?

The Light Therapy equipment’s array of infrared and visible light diodes creates a comforting warm feeling under the pads.

The photo energy:
• dilates the blood under the vessels, which often causes an increase in circulation.• the light and mild warmth also may reduce and alleviate pain.

Additionally, patients and clients may experience:
• decrease in local swelling
• decreased inflammation
• decreased muscle spasms and tightness
• Diabetic with peripheral neuropathy typically experience an increase in sensation to pressure and hot/cold.
• increased range of motion
• increased lymphatic drainage
• increased venous dilation and flow
• decreased tension

How does Light Therapy increase circulation?

The infrared photo energy releases nitric oxide from the hemoglobin and possibly surrounding tissue. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that is known to relax smooth muscle cells found in the arteries, veins, capillaries and lymph vessels. When these muscles relax, they dilate the blood vessel, thus allowing increased circulation.

Have increases in circulation associated with infrared devices ever been measured?

Yes. Tests have been conducted with a scientific instrument known as a scanning laser Doppler,
which measures circulation at 1 to 2 millimeters (microcirculation). These tests demonstrate increases from 400% to 3200% after just one session.

How does Light Therapy reduce pain?

Nitric oxide has been shown to be essential for wound healing even if chronic or traumatic. Scientific literature shows that nitric oxide promotes collagen synthesis, collagen fibril alignment, and angiogenesis. Nitric oxide is also a neurotransmitter.

What is the difference between an LED and a low level laser?

Both contain diodes (a little light with two wires connected to a filament inside) that can be made of the same materials, usually silicon with specific minerals added in specific amounts to produce different colors. In lasers the diode is mounted in a well-shaped area (like a small tin can with one end removed) that is lined with reflective material that sends, generally, only one wavelength of light. The result is a narrow beam of light that is concentrated into a beam, referred to as “coherent” light. However, when using low power levels (soft lasers) the light energy does not remain coherent and scatters when it hits the skin. This is given as the explanation why LEDs and low level laser devices have similar healing effects.

What colors of LEDs work the best?

Red is probably more known and researched than any other color. Research in Russia found biologic effects to be most active with wavelengths around 440, 630 to 680 and 880 nanometers, corresponding to blue, red and infrared (beyond what humans can see). Red seems to stimulate the system, blue to sedate. In recent studies blue light from LEDs has been effective in treating jaundice of newborns and in treating acne and skin conditions.

Why are Light Energy products pulsed to Dr. Nogier’s frequencies?

Pulsed equipment is more effective than non-pulsed, and those pulsed to the tissue resonance frequencies of Dr. Nogier’s brilliant science are the most effective when working on the human body. The pulsing light at Nogier frequencies, according to studies, seems to be more important than wavelength (color) in the healing response for most conditions.

What about power?

Light Therapy equipment diode output (mw for infrared and mcd for visible light), viewing angles (7 1/4 – 60 1⁄4), voltage (1.2 – 3.0 volts) (200 mw per diodes x 500 diodes = 100,000 mw), frequency (73 – 4698 Hz), wavelength (430 – 880 nm), and duty cycles (25 – 100%) are all very critical factors that are interdependent on each other. There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding by most individuals about the relationship between these factors. A good system balances all of these factors and thus delivers the optimal amount of energy.