Why Hospitals Should Embrace Light Therapy

Could exposure to light sources improve health? Is it possible to treat skin conditions and illness with laser or wavelength? Many scientists believe the answer could be yes. A Hungarian physician named Endre Mester was one. In 1974 he created the Laser Research Center at Semmelweis, which became the hub of his studies. There, he devoted time to observing the patient responses to low-level lasers. He noticed that laser therapy helped many people with various conditions. What he learned became the foundation for many in holistic medicine.

Today, hospitals can benefit from his work by learning the value of light therapy. The treatment relies on low-level laser use. Hospitals might better patient health across many areas when used within the medical field. Understand what this process entails and how it offers facilities so many benefits.

1. What Is Red Light Therapy?

Cleveland Clinic notes that red light therapy, also knowns as RLT, is "emerging" more within the medical industry. Doctors or technicians expose patients to low wavelengths. The method is non-invasive and relatively easy for the person. Staff provides a lightbox or source that patients stand or sit in front of. The light emits, and the skin absorbs the rays.

Patients are likely to wear protective eye gear to safeguard the eyes. Doctors may target a specific area for exposure, and patients are unlikely to feel anything during the process.

2. Is This Treatment Reliable?

You may wonder how does red light therapy work? How is it different from sitting out in the sun all day or under a basic light bulb? And, even more important: how does a light source effectively battle certain conditions? 

Red light therapy provides a different source of light. It supplies the sun's nutritional components, but it does not have harmful UV rays or heat. That is important because it does not burn the skin or threaten cells with cancer development. 

Cleveland Clinic emphasizes that RLT stimulates mitochondria. These cells work with the system's energy levels and play a significant role in cell regeneration and new cellular growth. The light initiates a response that triggers cells to work harder or more. With activity encouraged, cells may heal faster. 

3. What Conditions Does It Treat?

Many people associate medical treatment with surgery or harsh drugs, but what if there were other options? What if a system could supply a possible alternative that promoted healing without entering an operating room? Hospitals could find that RLT treatment works for many different issues, giving them a non-surgical opportunity for a vast range of illnesses.

Because RLT actively works with cellular growth, hospitals could use it to work wound healing and skin disorders. Patients suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea may seek relief and those with scars and severe acne. The process has been used to improve physical appearance and reduce issues such as age spots and wrinkles.

The National Cancer Institute discusses light therapy for killing cancer cells. The process is called photoimmunotherapy and is in research for use with patients who do not qualify for surgical procedures. Doctors inject a chemical that binds to the cancer-infected cells. The light source then activates the drug. At this point, the medicine begins to kill off the cancer-laden cells, stimulating new cellular growth.

In addition, researchers continue to look to light therapy for assistance with inflammation and chronic pain. Doctors could use it within the hospital to assist with recovering from accidents or injuries or alleviate severe swelling. Long-term suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritic may also find support and comfort with this process.

Patients look to medical facilities to ease their pain and discomfort, and, even more, they desire a simple, reliable method to alleviate their concerns. Light therapy is a viable treatment that fits these criteria. Therefore, hospitals should embrace the option for many reasons, adding it to their other services. Combined with their other efforts, it could bring many people the relief they seek.