While light therapy dates back thousands of years, with early civilizations discovering the remedying properties of sunlight, the modern use of light therapy for medical purposes began in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also known as phototherapy, the treatment was first used in medicine by Nobel Prize Winner, Niels Ryberg Finsen. Finsen’s work involved treating conditions like lupus vulgaris using ultraviolet radiation.
Light therapy involves exposure to different wavelengths of light to treat various conditions. While there are many types of light therapy, here are a few common ones-
- For seasonal affective disorder a light box that emits bright light is used, mimicking the natural sunlight.
- Blue Light Therapy is most commonly used to treat sleep disorders and skin conditions such as acne.
- Red Light Therapy utilizes low levels of red light to reduce wrinkles along with scars and acne, overall rejuvenating and improving the appearance of the skin.
- Ultraviolet Light Therapy has been very effective in destroying bacteria and promoting wound healing. It’s also commonly used to treat newborn jaundice.
Over the years light therapy has been utilized to treat these various conditions but emerging research suggests the upcoming benefits of phototherapy on conditions like dementia as well: promoting increased cognitive function, better sleep, fewer anger bursts, reduced anxiety, and less wandering.
Light therapy influences our circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock), affecting the production of neurotransmitters such as melatonin and serotonin, regulating mood, and mediating sleep-wake patterns. Thus, light therapy can be used to influence these physiological processes, potentially improving mental health.
In conclusion, light therapy is a highly versatile treatment, with a plethora of benefits. Who knows, it could eventually become a cure-all, as more and more of its healing properties are discovered.
– Anushka Jain
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/light-therapy#How-light-therapy-works-to-treat-depression
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/light-therapy-not-just-for-seasonal-depression-202210282840
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22146-led-light-therapy
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24385-phototherapy-light-therapy
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