Phototherapy is the use of light in the medical treatment (includes both LASER and light therapy). Phototherapy has come a long ways from the use of light in solariums (Heliotherapy) by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Babylonians. As early as 1929 Heliotherapy was used in the USA solariums primarily to treat Rickets in children's hospitals. Cutting edge technology and increased risk for cancer from overexposure to sunlight has brought us the next generation in Phototherapy through the use of low level LASER and light therapy in the clinic.

Light for phototherapy is primarily generated through one of the three clinically available devices
1) LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
2) SLDs (Super Luminous Diodes)
3) LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
The therapeutic window of light that is primarily used for pain control is between the wave lengths of 690 nm to 1000 nm (includes red light, near/mid and far infrared light).

Various devices for delivering these wave lengths are being manufactured currently. At Farmington Valley Physical Therapy, we use the Solaris ™ Dynatron light technology. The Solaris light therapy probes have been cleared by the FDA to provide topical heating for temporary increase in blood circulation, temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches, pain and stiffness and relaxation of muscles, for muscle spasms and minor pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

How does light therapy work?
When the light (photons) is applied to the tissue, they get absorbed into the mitochondria (energy cells) and cell membranes by chromatophores (color pigments in cell). This results in elevation of cell ATP synthesis (increased energy availability).  This leads to increased DNA and RNA synthesis which are essential for tissue repair and pain control. The cell uses this extra energy to attain homeostasis (balance).

Light therapy is backed by extensive research with more than over 2000 published studies some to demonstrate the physiological action of light therapy and others to prove its clinical efficiency. Currently studies are being performed by scientists at NASA to demonstrate effectiveness of light therapy in tissue healing.

What can be treated by light therapy?
Light therapy has been shown effective in treatment of the following conditions:
1) Wound care and tissue repair (wounds, burns, grafts, pressure sores)
2) Inflammatory conditions (bursitis, general tissue inflammation, nerve inflammation including median nerve facial nerve and bells palsy etc.
3) Pain control (acute and chronic) Carpal tunnel syndrome, Head and neck pain, low back pain, Arthritis, post herpetic neuralgia etc.

Is light therapy safe?
Light and LASER therapy are relatively safe to use. The type used in physical therapy for tissue healing has been classified as Class II Laser with only safety precaution being avoiding staring directly into the beam. Other precautions/contraindications could include avoiding irradiation over the abdomen of pregnant women, and over cancerous tissue.

With many medications being pulled off the market due to secondary health risks, light therapy and other physical modalities could be forerunners in the treatment of pain in the near future due to their relative ease of use and decreased secondary health risks.