SoothIR Benefits Series: Photochemical Treatment of Inflammation
“The use of low levels of visible or near-infrared light for reducing pain, inflammation and edema, promoting healing of wounds, deeper tissues and nerves, and preventing cell death and tissue damage has been known for over forty years”
-Prof. Michael Hamblin, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
Some inflammation is good, and important to help the body fight off infection to repair cuts and other injuries. However, when the inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause an incredible range of diseases and is the root of practically all known chronic health conditions:
Joints:
Inflammation in the joints can lead to arthritis, either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Brain:
In the brain, pro-inflammatory cytokines cause depression, autism, poor memory, Alzheimer’s, dementia and MS.
Heart:
Inflammation in the heart and arterial walls contributes to coronary heart disease, strokes, high blood sugar and anemia.
Muscles:
Inflammation in the muscles causes muscle pain and weakness.
Skin:
Inflammation of the skin results in rashes, dermatitis, eczema, acne, psoriasis, wrinkles and fine lines.
Gums:
Inflammation of the gums can lead to periodontal disease.
Lungs:
Inflammation of the lungs can result in asthma and allergies.
soothIR™ delivers infrared light and is more than just a heating pad. The light causes a photochemical reaction in the cells that results in a decrease of inflammation. (a,b) The color of the light is important and we have chosen the most effective color for this reaction to occur.
Treatments that reduce inflammation with light also seem to have a systemic effect. Treatment of an area lowers the inflammation locally but also lowers the inflammation elsewhere. Early experiments in wound healing with light showed that the treatment of one wound with light would also help an untreated wound heal better.(c)
Imagine the implications of this….
soothIR™ treatment on a sore neck that feels so, so nice could actually lower your SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION and have wellness benefits on heart disease, brain inflammation, gum disease, and even your skin!
I can’t think of an easier way to reduce inflammation than with an inexpensive, convenient, comfortable, easy to use applicator, like the soothIR™
Soothe the world and fight chronic inflammation!
Talk soon,
-Ed
(a) When cells are stressed, nitric oxide (NO) inhibits oxygen consumption by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. This reduces production of ATP and causes oxidative stress leading to increased inflammation and reduced production of ATP. Light application at the right wavelength displaces NO from cytochrome c oxidase thereby reducing inflammation and restoring ATP production, helping tissues heal more quickly.
(b) AIMS Biophys. 2017 ; 4(3): 337–361. doi:10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation Michael R Hamblin Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, BAR414, 40 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
(c) 29: Mester E, Mester AF, Mester A. (1985): The bio- medical effects of laser application. Lasers Surg Med. 5: 31-39.