Light Therapy

Warp 10. Your red light for pain relief. And the only LED light device for pain relief with proven results!

Light therapy is often referred to as “phototherapy”. To make things even more confusing, it is also referred to in many white papers and other written materials as “photodynamic therapy”, “photomedicine”, “photobiology”, “ photobiomodulation”, and “photobiostimulation”, just to name a few.

Phototherapy is defined as “a therapeutic physical modality using photons (light energy) from the visible and infrared spectrum for tissue healing and pain reduction.”

Photostimulation is the process where a chain of chemical reactions is triggered by exposure to light. After an injury occurs, damaged cells produce a combination of edema, inflammation, pain, and loss of function. Injured cells and tissues emit enzymes that encourage the receipt of photons more readily than healthy cells and tissues. Primary photoacceptors, which are activated by light, are thought to be flavins, cytochromes (pigments in the respiratory chain of cells) and porphyrins. They are located in mitochondria and can convert light energy to electro-chemical energy.

Before any reactions can occur, the emitted photons, the basic unit of light; a packet or quantum of light energy, must be absorbed by the target tissue (Law of Conservation). The absorption of light and hence its biological effect depend upon the wavelength, power output, the technical design of the apparatus, and the treatment technique used. power output, the technical design of the apparatus, and the treatment technique used.

One photon can activate one enzyme molecule which in turn can process thousands of substrate molecules. This mechanism provides a theoretical framework in which a very small amount of energy can cause very significant biological effects.

LED Therapy is a form of phototherapy which involves the application of low power monochramatic and non-coherent light from light emitting diodes (LEDs) to injuries and lesions to stimulate healing. In the laboratory, Dr. Harry Whelan, professor of pediatric neurology and director of hyperbaric medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and his team have shown that skin and muscle cells grown in cultures and exposed to the LED infrared light grow 150 to 200 percent faster than ground control cultures not stimulated by the light.

LED technology has provided medicine with a new tool capable of delivering light into tissues of the body, at wavelengths which are bilogically optimal. Phototherapy offers a new treatment option for patients that have previously been limited by other modalities. The overall success of any phototherapy treatment is solely dependent on providing the injured tissue with an energy dosage that is sufficient to produce a stimulatory effect.

Our Disclaimer:  At Warp Light Therapy, our goal is not to confuse or overwhelm you with information and technical/scientific terminology. It's quite the contrary. Our goal is to educate you on the topic of light therapy and the wonderful benefits of using this modality of treatment. Thanks for taking the time to educate yourself on the topic of light therapy and Quantum Device's WARP 10. Your red light for pain relief. And the only LED light device for pain relief with proven results!

Light therapy has been shown to:

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 supplying additional oxygen and nutrients needed for healing.

Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair and replace damaged tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together with a high degree of elasticity. Increasing collagen production will decrease scar tissue at the injured site.

Stimulate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major carrier of energy to all cells. Increases in ATP allow cells to readily accept nutrients and expel waste products faster by increasing the energy level in the cell. All food turns into ATP before it is utilized by the cells. 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 which can be evacuated by the blood system and the second is comprised of the proteins which 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. 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.

Increase RNA and DNA synthesis. This helps damaged cells to be replaced more promptly.

Reduce the excitability of nerve tissue. The photons of light energy enter the body as negative ions. This requires the body to send positive ions, calcium among others, to flow to the area being treated. These ions assist in regulating the nerves, thereby relieving pain.

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

Increase phagocytosis, which is the process of scavenging for and ingesting dead or degenerated cells by the phagocyte cells. This is an important part of the infection control process. The healing process depends upon the Destruction of infection and cellular clean up.

Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue. The light raises the temperature of the cells although there is no heat produced from the diodes themselves.

Stimulate tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissue. Stimulate acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine causes cardiac inhibition, vasodilation, gastrointestinal peristalsis and other parasympathetic effects.

Depth of penetration is defined as the depth at which 60% of the light is absorbed by the tissue, while 40% of the light will continue to be absorbed in a manner that is less fully understood. Treating trigger points with light can have a dramatic effect on remote and internal areas of the body through the stimulation of nerves, acupuncture, and trigger points that perform a function not unlike transmission cables. The diverse tissue and cell types in the body all have their own unique light absorption characteristics; that is, they will only absorb light at specific wavelengths and not at others. For example, skin layers, because of their high blood and water content, absorb red light very readily, while calcium and phosphorus absorb light of a different wavelength. Research has shown 670nm wavelength to give beneficial results across the board and penetration of 23 cms.

Some Resources

Light is Light
Source: Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2005 ©Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., pp 159-160
Since Endre Mester and his colleagues first documented the therapeutic benefits of monochromatic light, a plethora of terminologies and acronyms have emerged and continue to evolve in describing light and laser therapy. Read more…nd laser therapy. Read more…

Warp 10. Your red light for pain relief. And the only LED light device for pain relief with proven results!