What is Photobiomodulation Laser Therapy?
Photobiomodulation is the modulation of a biological system with photons. Particular wavelengths of light, measured in nanometers, have different absorption points and capacities in the cells. Green, for example, is absorbed into the blood. Reds and shorter near-infrared wavelengths are absorbed by Cytochrome C Oxidase in the Mitochondria of cells, while longer near-infrared wavelengths, such as 940nm, are absorbed by the water in the cell membrane.[1]
This means ARRC has the potential to modulate biological responses to a certain degree with wavelengths and then shape those responses with intensity, frequency, and digital coding.
Photobiomodulation therapy, or PBM therapy, is a wellness modality that uses non-ionizing light sources in the visible and infrared spectrum (lasers, LEDs, and broadband light). Photobiomodulation therapy has been shown to yield beneficial therapeutic outcomes, promoting wound healing, tissue regeneration, and alleviating pain.[2] Healthy individuals also use photobiomodulation to improve cognition, skincare, recovery after competition or intense training, and preconditioning.
Credited with the discovery of Photobiomodulation is the Hungarian physician Endre Mester, founder of the Laser Research Center at Semmelweis Medical University in Budapest.[3] The accidental discovery was made due to a faulty low-level ruby laser, which was intended to show improvement in reducing tumors. The original experiment failed, but Mester noticed that the treated mice showed faster hair regeneration than the control group and called his discovery “laser biostimulation.” It later became more popular as Low-Level Laser Therapy.
When discussing Low-Level Laser Therapy, it is also essential to mention Low-Level Light Therapy, which was introduced after the advent of LEDs as a common light source in studies. Photobiomodulation has various names, including LLLT, Laser Biostimulation, Laser Phototherapy, Low-Power Laser Irradiation, Low-Power Laser Therapy, Red Light Therapy, and LED Light Therapy. Different names have been used in various medical studies over the years, which has confused the subject of light healing. The term “Photobiomodulation” was adopted to negotiate this confusion, and in 2015, it was added to the National Library of Medicine MeSH database as the official term for all light therapy research.
How Does Photobiomodulation Work?
Research shows that illuminating the belly of a rat can accelerate the healing of a wound on its back. It’s like saying that if one treats the elbow, the knee will get better. The objective of whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) is then to create systemic benefits, including detoxification, improved circulation, and enhanced energy, throughout the entire body.
Changing the health of individual cells affects the overall health of the whole body. The effects may not be as immediate as those of a laser, but the long-term benefits of PBM therapy, which involves gradual whole-body changes, can be profound. PBM creates the environment in the body for cells to activate ATP and thus stimulate cellular energy. When one cell has all the energy it needs to clean, repair, and function, then it shares the excess energy with any cell it bumps up against. In this way, “the cellular changes cascade down and benefit nearly every organ and system in the body,” according to Dr. Michael Hamblin.
The human body may have 1600 – 2000 square cm of skin surface, depending on the size of the individual. LED light therapy illuminates a large surface area of the body with safe yet effective doses of energy. The cumulative dose can be considerable, but the relative energy per cm² can remain both stimulating and safe.
The bench on which the subject lies may deliver 12 joules/cm² to 500 cm² of surface skin on the back, if the focal point of the LED beam is correct. That means delivering 500/cm² x 12 J = 6,000 Joules of energy. The front of the body is farther away from the LEDs, depending on the body’s contours. If one can assume 1/4th of the total irradiance or an average of 3 joules for the remaining 1200 cm² of skin, then the result is 1200 cm² x 3 J = 3600 Joules. 6,000 + 3600 = 9600 Joules of cumulative energy delivered to the entire body. This is over 20 times the total energy delivered in one of the most extensive illumination studies completed.
An LED Light Therapy bed delivers a substantial amount of cumulative energy, but in lower doses that stimulate cellular changes to benefit the entire body. While there are over 7000 studies, the main effects that researchers seem to be sharing on the traditional approach to PBMt boil down to 4 cellular processes.
Photobiomodulation Types
Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMt) can be broken down into three aspects. Photo stands for photons of light, Bio stands for the human body, and Modulation ties a Red Light Therapy Bed’s ability to modulate biological processes with light. Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy might be broken down into applications made with Lasers (generally for deeper pinpoint augmentation) or LEDs for scattered and broad ranges of treatment.
LED Light Therapy
In recent years, non-coherent light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), have become increasingly common. LEDs differ from lasers in that they emit non-coherent light. The advantages of LED Photobiomodulation may include:
- No laser safety considerations
- FDA-approved for over-the-counter (OTC) and home use
- The ability to treat a large area at once
- The possibility of wearable devices
- Much lower cost
LED therapy utilizes multiple wavelengths that correspond to various visible colors, and each color penetrates the skin at a different depth.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is a treatment that utilizes low-wavelength red light and is often enhanced with near-infrared light. Studies suggest that red light may improve skin appearance, reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne. The full effectiveness of red light therapy has not been determined.
Other names for RLT are: Low-level laser light therapy, Low-power laser therapy, Non-thermal LED light, Soft laser therapy, Cold laser therapy, Biostimulation / photonic stimulation, Photobiomodulation and phototherapy, Infrared Light Therapy.
Near-Infrared Therapy
Near-Infrared Therapy falls within the spectrum of Infrared light, which is almost invisible. It is the shortest wavelength on the electromagnetic spectrum, and near-infrared light penetrates the deepest. The use of Near-Infrared Therapy generally encompasses wavelengths ranging from 700 nm to 1000 nm.
LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
Lasers are light sources that utilize stimulated emission to produce a monochromatic and coherent beam of light with low divergence. According to the research, LASER Photobiomodulation Therapy is a non-invasive and painless therapy method that may have both local and systemic effects on the patients. LASER PBM outcomes depend on wavelength, irradiation mode, pulse duration, pulse time interval, energy fluence, power output, and irradiance.
In addition to biostimulation, a few other names have been included: Low-Intensity Laser Therapy, Low-Power Laser Therapy, Cold laser, Soft laser, Photobiostimulation, Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).
Laser treatment induces low energy density, but it’s high enough to stimulate the membrane or organelles of the target cell. Different laser light devices produce intense, coherent, monochromatic, and highly collimated light beams. Recent studies have shown that the best wavelengths in laser therapy involve the visible red and near-infrared (NIR) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, as these portions are readily absorbed by biological systems.
High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILt) has been used more recently in the physiotherapy field. The primary difference between HILT and LLLT is that the light penetrates deeper, quickly delivering a high amount of energy to the deep tissues. Additionally, application techniques, treatment time, and the cost of the device differ between these two types of laser therapy.
Does Photobiomodulation Therapy Heal Disease?
No, photobiomodulation cannot heal disease. Does a healthier and stronger body heal itself? This is something that ARRC firmly believes. Photobiomodulation therapy, through its cellular benefits, may enhance medical treatments by strengthening and improving the body’s health. PhotoBioModulation therapy creates an environment which makes it easier for cells to clean, repair, and function. When cells begin to function properly, then the thing made up of those cells begins to function properly.
Mitochondria, Aging & Photobiomodulation Therapy
Mitochondria are the motors in the body that produce ATP, among other things. ATP creates the fuel that cells use to thrive. A current theory on aging suggests that as humans age, the mitochondria become damaged by free radicals and toxicity. Photobiomodulation has been shown in research to slow, halt, and even reverse Mitochondrial Dysfunction and improve ATP production.
The action of improving mitochondrial function improves cellular energy and slows cell death. Improving cellular health and longevity is considered a key factor in aging. The benefits cascade to create improvements in cognition, wellness, performance, and aesthetics.
For additional information, please visit the Mitochondria, Aging & Photobiomodulation page.
Photobiomodulation Therapy or Laser Therapy?
Lasers create focused, coherent light and are extraordinary tools to pinpoint intense energy on an injury. Lasers are excellent tools to focus on localized pain and injuries. LEDs are non-coherent light sources that instead disperse energy onto the cells. A powerful red light therapy bed delivers massive amounts of energy to the entire body, stimulating detoxification and reduced inflammation while improving cellular energy and circulation.
The cells become healthier, which cascades down to benefit the tissues, organs, and systems. An LED therapy bed helps the entire body get better. Photobiomodulation beds simultaneously affect aesthetics, cognition, pain, inflammation, and performance. Lasers are excellent at focusing on the injury. LED light therapy beds focus on the whole being. Everything gets better.
LED therapy beds that are dose-optimized will outperform beds that are either too weak or overpowered.
For additional information, please visit the LED Light Therapy Bed or Focused Laser page.
Targeting, Dose Multiple Wavelengths, Optimum Dose
Like a multivitamin supplement, multiple photobiomodulation bed wavelengths may trigger different reactions in the cells. As the science of photobiomodulation research improves, ARRC believes that wavelengths, pulse, and dose will become more specialized.
A Spa owner interested in skincare might be better suited with a mid-energy system. A doctor stimulating deeper healing might find that more power is better due to the increased penetration. A business owner wants both effectiveness and shorter treatment times to maximize their return on investment. A professional athlete might find that Red/NIR is the best choice, while someone with skin issues will benefit from adding green.
For additional information, please visit the Photobiomodulation Targeting, Dose Multiple Wavelengths, Optimum Dose page.
Understanding the Physics Of Photobiomodulation
Different light wavelengths and intensities can produce varying effects in the body. If one knows the wavelength and intensity, then one should be able to direct the system to develop predictable reactions in the body. In this section, ARRC provides a high-level explanation of the physics of light as it applies to our systems.
For additional information, please visit the Understanding Light page.
Healthy People & Photobiomodulation
Athletes who break their own personal best records after supplementing with a full-body LED light therapy bed have performance as a measurable benchmark. Professional sports franchises are building recovery centers that utilize full-body photobiomodulation beds to help their athletes prevent mechanical injuries during competition (preconditioning), speed recovery after competition, and improve peak performance in areas such as strength, speed, and endurance during competition.
People suffering from pain or illness have the reduction of pain or dysfunction as a benchmark. In both cases, LED light therapy triggers cellular changes that cascade down into the tissues, organs, and systems, thereby improving their bodily functions.
For additional information, please visit the Healthy People and Photobiomodulation page.
Photobiomodulation Therapy Beds
Whole Body Photobiomodulation beds are about luxury, precision and efficacy. A PBM bed allows for the correct dose, without overstimulation (damage) in the shortest time frame possible. Optimized intensities mean program times are reduced and comfort is increased. Regulation of distance to the LED source in a bed creates the precise distance required to optimize dose. This improves efficacy by maximizing penetration without overstimulation.
The ARRC LED ATP system is optimized for 10 minutes or shorter treatment times in a continuous current format and 12 – 15 minutes or shorter utilizing the pulse. The objective of whole body photobiomodulation beds or full-body LED light therapy is to create systemic benefits of detoxification, improved circulation, and increased energy throughout the entire body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Photobiomodulation therapy?
In traditional medicine issues that are generally caused by some sort of toxicity are often treated with toxic medications or invasive procedures. While the medication may reduce the symptoms and provide relief, it can also create a cascade of dysfunction in the cells which may create negative side effects. Photobiomodulation detoxifies the cells of waste and free radicals and increases circulation which increases nutrients available to the cells. Then cells have what they need to repair and rebuild arterial connections, nerve fibers, and many other functions. These significant changes cascade down into and, as researchers suggest, affect nearly every tissue, organ, and system in the body.
Where does PBM therapy fit into health and wellness?
Photobiomodulation therapy benefits a span from aesthetics with skin and hair to performance with improved speed, strength, endurance and faster recovery to improved cognition with recovery from brain-related damage to wellness with improved health, reduced pain, and better overall energy.
What is Photobiomodulation used for?
Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt), when delivered by a powerful whole-body photobiomodulation bed, is a health program that delivers precisely metered exposure of specific wavelengths of light to be absorbed into and modulate the biological processes of the body. This whole-body treatment elevates the health of the cells, which as Dr. Michael Hamblin states, “cascades down into and benefits nearly every tissue, organ and system in the body.” PBMt is used for tissue repair, pain relief, physical therapy, chiropractic care, sports medicine, and is increasingly being used in acute care and rehabilitation.
How often can you use Photobiomodulation therapy?
Photobiomodulation is dose-specific and the dose is essentially intensity times seconds of time. Overdosing occurs with any combination of 3 factors:
- Excessive frequency: Typically we recommend at least 1 day off in between sessions but most will benefit with as few as 1 treatment per week.
- Excessive light intensity: Dr. Michael Hamblin suggests optimal dose is between 30 – 60 mw/cm² per wavelength and under 100 mw/cm² cumulative (ATP system is perfectly dosed).[4]
- Excessive treatment duration: Different assessments have different dosing parameters and we recommend no more than 50 Joules per cm² of surface area. A Joule is irradiance x seconds. Irradiance is energy on the skin, not off of the LED.
The ARRC LED’s cumulative irradiance (third party verified) is 83.9 on the bench and slightly lower on the canopy. 83.9 x 600 seconds is 50 Joules, which means the optimum dose for most conditions – no pulse added on the ATP system is 10 minutes. With pulse added the dose time can be up to 21 minutes.
Sources
- “Quantum Leap” in Photobiomodulation Therapy Ushers in a New Generation of Light-Based Treatments for Cancer and Other Complex Diseases: Perspective and Mini-Review: Santana-Blank L, et al. (2016). Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4782038/
- Low-level Light/Laser Therapy Versus Photobiomodulation Therapy: Anders JJ, et al. (2015). Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25844681/
- The History of Endre Mester: Mester A. (2013). Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1089/pho.2017.4332
- The Biphasic Dose Response (Dosing Science): Huang YY, Hamblin MR, et al. (2009). Dose-Response Journal. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2790317/
