LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY (LLLT)

The Orion device I use has the most effective and clinically proven wavelengths of red, at 660 nm, and near-infrared, at 850 nm, light for full-body health benefits.

The difference between red and near-infrared light is in its ability to penetrate the skin.

Red Light
Among many health benefits, red light is known to increase collagen, energy production, and improve sleep.

Near-Infrared Light
Near-infrared light uses a longer wavelength to reach deeper tissues for benefits such as improving muscle recovery, joint pain, inflammation, mental acuity, and thyroid function.

The health benefits of red light therapy are driven from 3 different mechanisms:

(1) increase mitochondrial function

(2) improve blood circulation

(3) decrease oxidative stress

Mitochondrial Function
Red light therapy boosts our energy production at a cellular level, specifically in the mitochondria—the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell. Natural red and near infrared light from red light therapy enhances the cellular respiration process that creates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy, often called “the energy currency of life”. Our bodies are constantly creating ATP to fuel everything we do. The more ATP our cells can produce, the better our bodies can heal, feel, and perform.

Blood Circulation
Blood circulation is a vital function. It delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to our brain and body. Red light therapy improves blood flow by stimulating the cellular production of Nitric Oxide (NO), which aids blood circulation and thereby enables our cells to take in oxygen and nutrients more easily. As a result, one might experience improved skin health, wound healing, and reduced muscle soreness and inflammation.

Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in our body. Free radicals are harmful molecules, which are naturally produced through metabolic activities (like digestion and exercising). Antioxidants play a central role in offsetting free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. Uncontrolled levels of oxidative stress can accelerate aging and lead to cell injury. Red light therapy upregulates the production of antioxidant enzymes – reducing oxidative stress and preventing further damage to cells.

Benefits Of Use During Your Acupuncture Treatment
The addition of red light therapy during your treatment will be the short term use to provide the following benefits*:

  • Improve skin health and appearance (when used with Cosmetic Acupuncture)
  • Promote collagen production (when used with Cosmetic Acupuncture)
  • Facial Acne (when used with Cosmetic Acupuncture)
  • Hair growth
  • Eczema/Psoriasis
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Improve sleep & circadian rhythm
  • Reduce joint & muscle pain

For use with fertility support:

  • Women of advanced maternal age (age 35 and over)
  • Low ovarian reserve (AMH)
  • High FSH
  • PCOS
  • Endometriosis
  • Poor egg quality
  • Poor implantation rates
  • Poor IVF outcomes
  • Thin uterine lining
  • Low sperm quality
  • High DNA Fragmentation
  • History of abdominal surgery

Treatment schedule:

  • LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy) with or without acupuncture is recommended 1-3 times a week for 1-3 months.

*Note: Treatment schedules are decided upon based on the circumstances of your case.

References:

  1. Iwahata, Hidehisa, et al. “TREATMENT OF FEMALE INFERTILITY INCORPORATING LOW-REACTIVE LASER THERAPY (LLLT): AN INITIAL REPORT.” J-STAGE.
  2. Ohshiro, Toshio. “Personal Overview of the Application of LLLT in Severely Infertile Japanese Females.” Laser therapy vol. 21,2 (2012): 97-103. doi:10.5978/islsm.12-OR-05
  3. Lorne. “Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Our Infertility Clinic.” Acubalance Wellness Centre, 1 June 2017, www.acubalance.ca/resources/publications/low-level-laser-therapy-lllt-our-infertility-clinic.
  4. Hasan, P. et al: “The possible application of low-reactive laser level therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of male infertility”. 1989.
  5. Bartmann, A. et al: “Why do older women have poor impanation rates? A possible role of the mitochondria”. 2004.
  6. Kara, T.: “Lasers in infertility treatment. Irradiation of oocytes and spermatozoa”. 2012.
  7. Firestone, R. et al: “The effects of low-level light exposure on sperm motion characteristics and DNA damage”. 2013.
  8. Ihsan, F. R. M. (2005). Low-level laser therapy accelerates collateral circulation and enhances microcirculation. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 23(3): 289-294.
  9. Maegawa, Y., …, & Nishi, M. (2000). Effects of near-infrared low-level laser irradiation on micocirculation. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 27:427-437.
  10. Avci, Pinar et al. “Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring.” Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery vol. 32,1 (2013): 41-52.
  11. Avci, Pinar et al. “Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss.” Lasers in surgery and medicine vol. 46,2 (2014): 144-51. doi:10.1002/lsm.22170
  12. Sawhney, Mossum K., and Michael R. Hamblin. “Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) for Cosmetics and Dermatology.” Mechanisms for Low-Light Therapy IX, 2014, doi:10.1117/12.2041330.