Photobiomodulation
What is it?
Low level Light Therapy, LLLT, Phototherapy and Red Light Therapy, are all names given to a modality that is used to describe the application of red or near-infrared light to the body via an LED device. It is important to note that this is different Laser Therapy.
LED Light Therapy helps to improve tissue healing, rejuvenate soft tissue, and decrease pain and inflammation. It’s a non-invasive complementary treatment tool for numerous acute and chronic conditions that I use in combination with my equine massage.
Photobiomodulation therapy is not a replacement for soft tissue massage and bodywork or mobilisations, but can be highly effective to further enhance and support hands-on therapy when used as part of my overall “toolkit”.
How does it work?
The body (both human and animal) is made up of cells and when each cell can function correctly, the body can heal itself.
Light therapy works by energising compromised cells thanks to the specific wavelengths of LED light, which increases blood flow, stimulates the cell mitochondria and promotes the production of Adensine Triphosphate (ATP).
This restores the health of the cell to support quicker recovery or ongoing management of soft tissue. As well as maintenance therapy, if applied quickly after an acute injury, the process of cell death is reversed leading to quicker healing and recovery time.
Key Benefits
Some of the proven effects of LED light therapy:
Increases energy in cells
Fast cellular regeneration
Clears inflammation and increases lymphatic activity
Increases circulation
Increases immune system activity
Provides pain relief and has a calming effect by increasing endorphins and serotonin
Regulates collagen production
Helps prevent cell death when applied within 4-6 hours of injury
Photobiomodulation (A.K.A. Low level Light Therapy, LLLT, Phototherapy, Red Light Therapy) has been studied in hundreds of clinical trials in humans and animals with amazing improvements in skin health, collagen production, physical performance, muscle recovery, joint pain, inflammation and more. It is widely used by physiotherapists, massage therapists and bodyworkers for proactive maintenance care and injury recovery, in a drug free way.
As a result, light therapy can help with a range of musculoskeletal problems including arthritis pain, tendonitis, myositis, ligament sprains, tendon strains, bruising, neck and back pain, splints, over-use injuries, synovitis, oedema, hematomas, muscle injuries, muscle spasms, trigger points, seromas and mastitis.
Photizo Vetcare
The specific photobiomodulation tool I use is the Photizo Vetcare as it is well researched with proven results, has pre-determined dosing to ensure effective application and has excellent UK support.
If you want to learn more about the Photizo Vetcare tool and how therapists have successfully used it to support the health and wellbeing of animals, including horses, visit the website of the sole authorised UK distributor Dantre Health Products/case-studies.
The great added benefit of the Photizo Vetcare is that it is suitable for home use by owners such as you, which is great as owners can maintain interim treatment between professional sessions to improve results or speed up the healing process, plus it enables you to be an integral part of your horse’s rehabilitation or maintenance plan.
I offer the Photizo device for hire to clients between scheduled massage therapy visits (subject to availability) and sell units for those of you who want to add this hugely valuable tool to your own equine (and any other animal) toolkit.