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Natural Medicines - Light Therapy The Powerful Therapeutic Benefits of Light Therapy By Dr. Brindusa Vanta, BSc, MD (Eur), HD (Hon), DHMS Light therapy has been shown in over 40 years of research worldwide to deliver powerful therapeutic benefits to living tissues and organisms. However there is not too much information available on how light therapy works. So: What does light therapy actually do? 1) Increases circulation, which speeds up the healing process by carrying more oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. 2) Stimulates the production of collagen, which is the essential protein used to repair damaged tissue and to replace old tissue. 3) Stimulates the release of ATP, the major carrier of energy to all cells. ATP provides the chemical energy that drives the chemical reaction of the cell. 4) Increases lymphatic system activity, reducing edema (the swelling or natural splinting process of the body). 5) Increases RNA and DNA synthesis. This helps damaged cells to be replaced more promptly. 6) Stimulates fibroblastic activity which aids in the repair process. Fibroblasts are present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibers. 7) Increases phagocytosis, which is an important part of the infection fighting process. 8) Stimulates tissue granulation and connective tissue formation, which are part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissue. Therefore, the main indications of light therapy are: Pain treatment: Light therapy is successfully used in all forms of arthritis because it decreases pain and inflammation, increases walking distance, and speeds the regenerative processes. Sport medicine: Light therapy used in cases of contusions, dislocations, strains and sprains to decrease muscle and joint pain, improves range of active/passive movements. Assists in quicker recovery of muscular, tendon and joint inflammation. Aesthetic therapy: Any type of skin complaint may benefit from light therapy, from leg ulcers to acne, rosacea or psoriasis. General benefits include: Support of immune system, stimulates regenerative/reparative processes, promotes wound healing and relief of pain. Light therapy used in conjunction with color therapy has many other indications including sleep and mood issues, digestive complaints, and hormonal imbalances.