FAQ

PBM Therapy, previously known as Low Level Light Therapy, is the application of red and near-infrared light to tissue where there is degeneration or injury, to improve, repair, and reduce inflammation and pain. This is achieved via PBM Therapy’s ability to reduce oxidative stress which is accepted as the underlying trigger for most diseases and degenerative conditions. Oxidative stress is also a component in the inflammatory phase of acute and chronic injuries.

Intended uses of PBM Therapy include:

• Restoration of motion to joints
• Improved muscle performance
• Decreased post exercise soreness
• Adjunct to obesity as part of a diet and exercise program

The clinically-proven benefits of red and near-infrared light are:

• Less pain and inflammation
• Faster rate of recovery after injury
• Earlier return to physical health
• Reduced fat and cardiometabolic risk factors
• Less soreness after exercise, faster recovery from exercise
• Anecdotal reports include: better sleep, less stress and less depression

Healing Power of Light Therapy

Light Therapy for Healing

Laser Phototherapy, also called light therapy, is the newest technology used for soft tissue healing and pain relief…for over 50 years! With the increases we are seeing of antibiotic resistance, heightened incidences of diabetes, along with 2015 having the highest ever overdoses from prescription drugs, a new way of thinking is needed. Laser phototherapy stimulates the natural healing processes of our cells, with no known side effects! Light therapy is one of the most promising medical therapies available.

Used successfully for 50 years, the awareness and acceptance has been slow to catch on in medical circles. One of the reasons is the reluctance of physicians to accept that a single modality is so good at so many things. But really, laser phototherapy does one thing very well, it relieves Oxidative Stress in cells.

Mechanism of Action

To accomplish this we use wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation between 650nm to 1200nm to trigger beneficial biochemical changes within living cells. The photons from the laser are absorbed by photoreceptors within the cells (chromophore) triggering these chemical changes. The chromophore in light therapy is the enzyme Cytochrome C Oxidase (Cox), which is inside the mitochondria membrane. Mitochondria are called the ‘power plants’ of our cells and are inside nearly all cells of the human body. Did you know our mitochondria produce the equivalent of our body weight in ATP each day?

The primary reaction when Cox is stimulated is the creation of Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP), up regulating the cell to normal function. —Secondary reaction is —Nitric Oxide (NO) is released from the cell during this process, allowing proper respiration of oxygen to enter the cell, relieving oxidative stress on the cell. Tertiary reaction is when released NO enters to blood stream, it increases blood vessel dilation and improves circulation.

Photosynthesis

Just like a plant that uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to glucose and oxygen, our body can use light therapy to convert cytochrome c oxidase and oxygen to ATP.

ATP is used by the cells to:

• Absorb nutrients
• Repair tissue
• Excrete toxins

Simply put, this is photosynthesis for the body!

• Athletes - pro, semi-pro, amateurs, crossfitters, Ninja Warriors, high school & college, gym members, personal trainers.
• Recovery times reduced from 72 hours to 6-24 hours through pre-conditioning NovoTHOR sessions as well as post-exercise/competition.
• NovoTHOR sessions reduce post-exertional muscle soreness, speedy muscle recovery, increased muscle performance and accelerated healing of acute injuries reported up to 30-50%.

PBM Therapy appears too good to be true as it does many things, but really it does just one thing and it does it very well. It reduces OXIDATIVE STRESS.

Oxidative stress is accepted as the underlying trigger for most diseases and degenerative conditions. It is also a component in the inflammatory phase of acute and chronic injuries. Extensive research during the last two decades has revealed oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn contributes to chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and pulmonary diseases.

The use of visible and near-infrared (NIR) light for reducing pain, inflammation and edema, has been known for almost forty years. The effects of photobiomodulation, as it is known scientifically, are photochemical – just like photosynthesis in plants. When the correct power, frequency and application time are used, light reduces oxidative stress and increases ATP. This in turn improves cell metabolism and reduces inflammation. Light is absorbed at the cellular level, targeting the cause of inflammation by reducing oxidative stress.

This non-invasive and safe therapy has been shown to be highly effective for:

• Sports injuries

• Sports muscle recovery and performance

• Acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions

  • Soft tissue pain and inflammation

  • Tendinopathies

  • Arthritis pain

  • Gout

• Syndrome conditions

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Fibromyalgia

• Neuropathy

• Lymphedema

Click here for a more complete list of conditions we can address.

The NovoTHOR is a whole body delivery system of PBM Therapy that has been designed to deliver optimal wavelengths, power densities and dosages based on published clinical research outcomes. It's as simple as lying still in the light pod for the predetermined length of time, similar to a tanning bed, except you will not get a tan.

The advantage of the NovoTHOR is it works on the whole body in just 8-15 minutes. Regular sessions have been shown to contribute to reduction of pain, improved muscle performance and reduction of muscle fatigue.

Direct nerve application and trigger point therapy are also available. These decrease pain and relax muscle spasms, both contributing to reduction in musculoskeletal pain. These sessions take approximately 10-15 minutes "per location" i.e. per hip/knee/ankle etc.

PBMT works at the cellular level, stimulating repair and normalizing cell function. Many therapies only address symptoms, without addressing the source. With that said, chronic degenerative changes often cannot be "healed", instead they must be managed. PBMT is a safe, effective, non pharmaceutical way to manage pain and inflammation.

Unlike drugs and surgery, Photobiomodulation Therapy

• promotes cell regeneration

• reduces inflammation and pain

• is non-toxic

• is non-invasive

• has no side effects

That depends on you and your “Human Variables”. Every person’s condition is unique, therefore his/her treatment course is as well. However there are some general rules of thumb that apply to PBMT.

Acute injuries and inflammation from muscle strains and sprains, cuts, bruises, burns, etc typically show very rapid improvement and can resolve in 3-6 treatments.

Long-term, chronic conditions can take as many as 12 sessions to get significant benefits, then 1-2 sessions every 3-6 weeks may be necessary to maintain benefits.

Again, that depends on you and your “Human Variables”. Every person’s condition is unique, therefore the treatment course is as well.

We recommend "Starter Packages" where 6-8 sessions are completed in the first 2-3 weeks. At that point intervals typically reduce to 1-2 x per week ongoing depending on your conditions and wellness goals.

Please book an individual consultation with our qualified staff to have your questions answered. There is absolutely no cost or obligation, and you will also a receive FREE NovoTHOR session!

Over 400 Randomised Controlled Double-Blinded Clinical Trials have been published using PBM devices, and the technology has featured in over 4,000 laboratory studies. PBM is used in thousands of clinics, hospitals and elite sports institutions in over 70 nations.

The NovoTHOR and LX2 Laser Therapy systems were developed by James Carroll, who is a recognized authority on LLLT mechanisms of action, dose, and the measurement and reporting of parameters. He collaborates with many universities and hospital research centers on treatment protocol design and reporting of treatment parameters, including Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Leiden University Medical Centre, Amsterdam.

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