Types of Light Therapy

For those who can’t enjoy the old-fashioned light therapy of sunbathing, there are a few options available to treat a variety of ailments and wellness concerns:

Bright Light Therapy

This form of light therapy is most often used to treat patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Generally it is performed by having the patient sit in front of a light box with a minimum of 10,000 lux capacity for between 15 and 20 minutes. The light box provides the patient with a much more concentrated amount of bright light than the standard amount emitted by indoor lighting.

Colored Light Therapy

Colored light can have an intense effect on an individual’s emotional state depending on the shade of color that is used. Colored light therapy combines the philosophies of color and light therapy to effect mood by exposing the skin to various shades of colored light. Those who practice colored light therapy believe that different colors stimulate the release of neurochemicals in the brain.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy has been indicated as a treatment for smoking and weight loss, among other things. A laser is focused on a particular part of the body that corresponds to the problem treated, and in this way it is similar to acupuncture. It is believed that cold laser therapy is able to stimulate the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain that are an integral part of maintaining proper emotional health.

Author: Nan Little