Ever wonder why it’s mentioned to “get some sun” to increase Vitamin D?…. or ever see when a baby is born with jaundice, why they put them under blue light? This is Photobiomodulation (PBM) at work!
PBM or light therapy is basically the ability of certain light wavelengths (color) to penetrate certain levels of your body to trigger reactions that promote better health and wellness. One well known reaction of light therapy is the increase of nitric oxide in the body.
In the realm of health and wellness, one of the most significant discoveries by researchers was the role of nitric oxide and its profound effects on our bodies. This compound, rightfully dubbed the “miracle molecule,” was a finding so important that it led to a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Nitric oxide acts as a natural vasodilator in both humans and animals. This property is fundamental to understanding why light therapy works and produces positive outcomes. When light therapy stimulates the release of nitric oxide, it leads to the dilation of blood vessels, improving circulation and oxygen delivery throughout the body. This enhanced blood flow is at the core of many therapeutic benefits, from accelerated healing to improved performance.
Understanding the relationship between light therapy, nitric oxide release, and vasodilation is crucial for grasping the mechanism behind the therapy’s effectiveness. It explains why this non-invasive treatment can have such wide-ranging and beneficial impacts on health and wellness.
Vasodilation is the medical term for when blood vessels in your body widen, allowing more blood to flow through them.
In the easiest way to think about it…imagine having a skinny garden hose and trying to water a football field.
Now imagine a fire hose and watering the football field.
The increase in blood flow in your body increases many things like lowering blood pressure, removal of cellular waste, enhances blood flow, and brings vital oxygen and nutrients throughout your body providing healing and pain relief…and that’s just the beginning of many more benefits researchers have been finding with with (PBM) light therapy.
The journey of nitric oxide from a molecule of interest to being celebrated as the “Molecule of the Year” in 1992 by Science journal, and subsequently earning the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1998 for three pioneering US scientists, underscores its significance in medical science. The discoveries by Robert Furchgott, Ph.D., Louis Ignarro, Ph.D., and Ferid Murad, MD, have laid the groundwork for leveraging nitric oxide in therapeutic applications, and understanding why PBM light therapy has positive effects on the human anatomy.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) or light therapy enhances a cascade of beneficial chemical reactions within damaged nerve cells, fostering healing and regeneration. This process, rooted in enhanced blood flow and tissue oxygenation, underscores the therapy’s versatility in promoting health across various physiological domains.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Light Therapy
Light therapy, through PBM, offers a spectrum of health benefits, primarily by:
- Enhancing Circulation: By forming new capillaries, it speeds up the healing process, enabling faster delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for recovery.
- Stimulating ATP Release: Increasing ATP levels, the energy currency of cells, accelerates nutrient absorption and waste elimination.
- Boosting Lymphatic Activity: Doubling the lymph vessel diameter, it aids in swiftly removing both liquid and protein components of edema, alleviating swelling effectively.
- Reducing Nervous Tissue Excitability: The therapy lowers pain by balancing the ions in the treated area, promoting comfort and pain relief.
- Increasing Phagocytosis: This process is vital for cleaning up dead or degenerated cells, crucial for fighting infections and facilitating healing.
- Inducing a Thermal-like Effect: PBM elevates cell temperatures, enhancing their function and promoting healing.
- Stimulating Acetylcholine Release: This neurotransmitter plays a role in various parasympathetic responses, including cardiac inhibition and gastrointestinal peristalsis.
Different light & wavelengths penetrate to different layers of your body.
This penetration triggers cellular actions that have been know to promote treatments of various afflictions.
Pulsed Light Medical Technology – A Huge Leap in Red Light/NIR Therapy
The other factor causing positive outcomes are the pulse rates that PBM devices operate.
Neurocare Systems’ therapy pad systems, equipped with powerful Dual-chipped Surface Mounted Diodes (SMD), exemplifying the technological advancements in PBM using polychromatic light combined with pulsed light frequencies provide a vital advancement in LLLT therapies.
Why Pulsed Light?
Pulsed light therapy is a vital advancement in low-level laser therapy (LLLT), demonstrating superior effectiveness compared to continuous wave (CW) laser treatments. By incorporating brief “quench periods” during which the light is turned off, pulsed light minimizes tissue heating, allowing for the application of higher peak power densities without risking thermal damage. This characteristic enables deeper tissue penetration, making pulsed light therapy safer and more effective for various medical conditions.
The efficacy of pulsed light therapy also stems from its interaction with ion channels and the promotion of nitric oxide (NO) release from binding sites like cytochrome c oxidase. This release of NO is crucial for vasodilation, which enhances blood flow and accelerates tissue repair. The pulsed nature of the therapy allows for multiple photodissociation events of NO, increasing its availability and promoting cellular signaling. The rapid kinetics of ion channels, which respond effectively to light stimuli, further improve the mechanisms underlying healing processes. Overall, pulsed light therapy not only improves treatment outcomes but also maintains a favorable safety profile by reducing the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues. (Supporting Study: Hashmi JT, Huang YY, Sharma SK, Kurup DB, De Taboada L, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. Effect of pulsing in low-level light therapy. Lasers Surg Med. 2010 Aug;42(6):450-66. doi: 10.1002/lsm.20950. PMID: 20662021; PMCID: PMC2933784. Accessed from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2933784/)
Polychromatic Light Application with Elite Dual-chipped Surface Mounted Diodes (SMD)
Surface Mounted Diodes (SMD) are originally a development from the laser industry. Surface Mounted Diodes are similar to laser diodes but they disperse light photons over a larger surface area that is called non-coherent light or polychromatic light. By nature, this softer non-coherent light is safer to administer than a more focused Laser beam (coherent light) that delivers photons to a small area of cells or tissue. Because the power output of the SMD LEDs is also lower than lasers, they are safer to use without worry of harm to targeted tissues.
SMD’s cause an improved physiological effect on circulation, ATP production and healing more than lasers and other monochromatic RLT devices, but the degree from device to device in the targeted tissues will differ. PLMT (RLT/NIR) therapy often has shorter overall treatment times because of the large therapy area coverage that can be done simultaneously. Lasers are a valuable tool, but many designs are only for use by licensed medical personal.
With SMD LED’s simultaneously spanning blue (470 nm), red (630 nm), and infrared (850 nm) spectrums and other wavelengths and custom tuned pulse rates these devices cater to a broad range of therapeutic needs, from peripheral neuropathy to chronic pain relief and beyond.
Another one of the more impressive features is that the SMD microchip technology by Neurocare Pro houses 2 powerful and efficient diodes in each chipset allowing for both the NIR 850 and Red 630 NM light frequencies on every chipset which delivers polychromatic light evenly and eliminates tissue penetration voids like the older “though-hole” diodes that alternates 850 and 630 every other row.
Neurocare Pro’s polychromatic design allows for up to five simultaneous wavelengths, enabling the treatment of multiple tissue types with deeper penetration. This results in a higher photon rate while effectively regulating heat through pulsed light frequencies. With 5 automatic programs and 7 manual Nogier frequencies, this highly advanced system offers customizable treatments for a variety of conditions.
The safety of SMD LEDs allows ease of use and peace of mind both in clinical and home settings. The effective pain relief, ease of use and safety of our our SMD technology make them an attractive choice for both clinical and home settings.
We at NeurocarePro have been at the forefront of manufacturing PBM devices and have been granted FDA Registration Class II medical Device status due to our continual work in the field with Doctors, Practitioners, Wellness Experts, and professionals involved in advancing PBM and our innovations of RLT/NIR therapy utilizing PLMT technology. Our work comes from the back and forth we have with these professionals to then develop and manufacture devices aimed at these findings.
This is the difference when it comes to shopping on Amazon and seeing thousands of light therapy products and us. We are the manufacturer and we continue to push the development of better ways to deliver products that bring positive effects to the treatment being administered.
NIR Light and Peripheral Neuropathy
A study by researchers from the Joslin Center for Diabetes in Clearwater, Florida, on the effects of NIR on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) highlights the therapeutic potential of PBM. The findings revealed significant improvements in sensation, balance, and pain reduction, showcasing NIR’s capacity to enhance quality of life for individuals with DPN.
Embracing the Future with NeurocarePro
As an FDA-registered manufacturer of Class II medical devices, NeurocarePro is at the forefront of integrating PBM into the future of healthcare and wellness. Our commitment to quality and delivering products that truly make a difference is unwavering. Through continuous innovation and adherence to the highest standards, we aim to unlock the full potential of PBM, making it accessible and effective for those in pursuit of optimal health.
Photobiomodulation, powered by the miracle of nitric oxide and the precision of advanced light therapy devices, represents a beacon of hope and vitality. With NeurocarePro, individuals and healthcare professionals alike can embark on a journey toward enhanced wellness, leveraging the transformative power of light to illuminate the path to better health.
