How Photobiomodulation Therapy Works & 3 Conditions It Can Treat

Like many people today, you may always be on the lookout for new, non-invasive ways to help control a chronic health problem to limit the need for prescription medications and/or more invasive medical therapies. One therapy type that is growing in popularity among people who need relief from the symptoms of chronic illness is photobiomodulation therapy, also called PBM treatment. 

Read on for more information about photobiomodulation therapy, including how it works and a few of the many health conditions it is used to treat. 

How Photobiomodulation Therapy Works

Photobiomodulation therapy is a form of light therapy similar to laser therapy. During PBM therapy, a device that is equipped with a variety of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes and/or lasers, is used to stimulate new tissue regeneration, modulate the immune system, reduce pain, and/or promote wound healing. 

This device emits light wavelengths that range from 400 to 1100nm. While some of these light wavelengths are visible, others are within the barely visible electromagnetic light spectrum. The variety of light wavelengths used during PBR therapy is what makes it such a versatile medical treatment that can be used to treat a wide array of chronic medical problems. 

3 Chronic Health Problems Photobiomodulation Therapy Can Treat

PBR can be used to treat a wide variety of common health problems.

Chronic and Acute Pain Conditions

Photobiomodulation therapy can help relieve the pain caused by many chronic health problems, including osteoarthritis and back and/or neck pain. It can also help relieve the pain that acute sports injuries, such as tennis elbow, can cause while also stimulating the body's healing process. 

Photobiomodulation treatments help relieve pain and stimulate healing by reducing inflammation, increasing the flow of nutrient-rich blood to the site of the pain, and relieving the oxidative stress that often accompanies a chronic pain problem or injury. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

If you suffer from dry age-related macular degeneration due to retina deterioration as you have aged, then you may notice an improvement in your vision after a series of photobiomodulation treatments. In numerous case studies performed on people suffering from this eye condition, PBR therapy administered three times a week for three consecutive weeks was shown to reduce eye inflammation and edema to help improve visual acuity.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Photobiomodulation therapy can also be helpful for the treatment of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. This therapy is believed to stimulate the inner membrane of cell mitochondria to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This natural body chemical helps capture energy created when food is broken down and use it to help provide energy to all cells of the body. 

Along with increasing energy available to the body's cells, PTB also helps relieve the aches, pains, and muscle stiffness that chronic fatigue sufferers also experience. 

Photobiomodulation therapy can help relieve the symptoms of a wide variety of health problems by stimulating the body's natural healing and regenerative processes with the power of light. 


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