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I want to know in what ways is light being used for therapy of any kind
Helo! Thanks for asking to know the ways in which light is being used for therapy of any kind. The most useful sources I found to answer your question are the NCBI database (which provided multiple sources), Amazon, and the National Psoriasis Foundation website. In short, I have been able to determine 11 areas in which light is currently being used for treatments; these are:
⚫ Treating mood and sleep problems in SAD patients,
⚫ Reducing chronic low back pain,
⚫ Significantly reducing depression and anxiety in epilepsy patients,
⚫ Reducing strength loss after strenuous exercises,
⚫ Improving fat loss during weight loss exercises,
⚫ Treating acne,
⚫ Reducing fatigue and daytime sleepiness in TBI patients,
⚫ Treating psoriasis,
⚫ Treating eczema,
⚫ Treating vitamin D deficiency,
⚫ Helping in remission of mucotic fungoides, a rare type of lymphatic cancer.
I have also pointed out the four types of light therapies (based on what emerged from this research); Blue light therapy, Infrared light therapy, UVB light therapy, and UVA light therapy. Hobbr and Amazon presents a list of some of the best and top selling light therapy products.
METHODOLOGY
I started by searching the implications of light therapy for the disease areas you had mentioned in order to provide more insight and information about how light treatment treats the diseases. I searched using the NCBI database (here, here, here, here, here, and here), the British Journal of Psychiatry, the National Psoriasis Foundation, the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, and more; in my search I found and provided examples relating to diseases for which light treatment was pertinent. I searched for the best products per category but I wasn't able to find a preexisting list that stated which products were the best. As such I searched for the best sellers in the light therapy category on Amazon and eBay. I was also able to find a list of the best light therapy boxes for SAD treatment.
OVERVIEW OF FINDINGS
There are technically four types of light therapies:
1. Blue light therapy,
2. Infrared light therapy,
3. UVB light therapy, and
4. UVA light therapy
A research conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) shows that phototherapy enhances the physical exercise effects in obese women undergoing weight loss treatment promoting significant changes in inflexibility metabolic profile. Another report from the NCBI showed that blue light therapy resulted in reduced fatigue and daytime sleepiness during the treatment phase of patients with traumatic brain injuries. On chronic low back pain, patients that had undergone infrared light treatments showed a significant decrease in lower back pain. A research reported on the NCBI's website showed that infrared light therapy effectively attenuated strength loss and improved muscle function during rehabilitation, after a session of extensive exercises.
According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, UVB treatment was successful in diminishing the symptoms of mycosis fungoides (a very rare lymphoma) and, in early stages even put it in complete remission. A research paper from NCBI discussed the effects of blue light therapy on mild-to-moderate acne, according to the resource, the blue light treatment offered safe and effective treatment for acne. In fact, patients were confident in using the self-applied blue light without the supervision of a doctor.
The National Psoriasis Foundation explains the different treatments that use phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis. According to the foundation, UVB, continuous exposure to sunlight, laser UVB treatment, and Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) are helpful in treating the disease. In an overview of the disease eczema and its treatments, Elisabeth G. Richard, MD, mentioned UVA as an effective treatment for suppressing/preventing an inflammatory response which is the main approach presently available for treating eczema. A research report from NCBI on the effects of UV light treatments on patients with Vitamin D disorder shows that UV lamp is an excellent alternative for CF, and SBS patients especially during the winter months when natural sunlight is unable to produce vitamin D3 in the skin.
According to the British Journal of Psychiatry, throughout the duration of treatment, bright light therapy significantly reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression in epilepsy patients. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be treated using light therapy. By using a light therapy box, brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep are affected, thereby easing SAD symptoms.
BEST LIGHT THERAPY PRODUCTS
1. NatureBright SunTouch Plus,
2. Verilux HappyLight Liberty Personal, and
3. Verilux HappyLight Liberty 10,000 LUX Light.
4. Sphere Gadget Technologies Lightphoria, 10,000 Lux Energy Light Lamp
5. RubyLux Infrared Bulb NIR-A Near Infrared Individual Bulb
6. Philips GoLITE BLU Energy Light, Rechargeable
7. Carex Health Brands Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Light Therapy Lamp
8. Circadian Optics Lumos Light Therapy Lamp - 10,000 LUX Full Spectrum LED (USB Powered)
9. Verilux HappyLight Liberty 7,500 LUX Light Therapy Energy Lamp
10. Aura Day Light Therapy Lamp, 10,000 Lux of Bright Light White with Adjustable Lux Dial- 100% UV Free
1. Lightphoria, 10,000 Lux Energy Light Lamp,
2. SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy Lamp,
3. Philips GoLITE BLU Energy Light,
4. Verilux HappyLight Liberty 10,000 LUX Natural Spectrum Energy Lamp, and
5. Carex Day-Light Sky Bright Light Therapy Lamp.
CONCLUSION
In summary, throughout my search, I have been able to determine 11 areas in which light is currently being used for treatments; these are:
⚫ Treating mood and sleep problems in SAD patients,
⚫ Reducing chronic low back pain,
⚫ Significantly reducing depression and anxiety in epilepsy patients,
⚫ Reducing strength loss after strenuous exercises,
⚫ Improving fat loss during weight loss exercises,
⚫ Treating acne,
⚫ Reducing fatigue and daytime sleepiness in TBI patients,
⚫ Treating psoriasis,
⚫ Treating eczema,
⚫ Treating vitamin D deficiency,
⚫ Helping in remission of mucotic fungoides, a rare type of lymphatic cancer.
I have also pointed out the four types of light therapies (based on what emerged from this research); Blue light therapy, Infrared light therapy, UVB light therapy, and UVA light therapy. Hobbr and Amazon presents a list of some of the best and top selling light therapy products.
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