MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information
Mind & Emotion Therapies
LIGHT THERAPY

Sunlight and artificial light have been used for over a century to restore physical and psychological health. More recently, medical science has come to recognize the important role light plays in regulating the body's biological clock, which controls sleep, hormone production, and other functions. Light therapy is now used throughout the Western world to improve vitality and treat skin conditions such as psoriasis. It is especially associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a severe manifestation of the "winter blues", thought to be caused by light deprivation in winter.

MAIN USES OF LIGHT THERAPY

Season affective disorder (SAD). Skin Conditions. Depression. Insomnia. Disturbed sleep patterns, jet lag.

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Incandescent electric light baths were used to treat many physical and mental illnesses in 19th century European sanatoriums. Patients were also advised to get regular exercise in bright sunlight.

HISTORY

The benefits of natural sunlight have been used by generations of healers, notably 19th century naturopaths.

Danish doctor Niels Finsen received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1903 for research into the ability of ultraviolet (UV) light to treat tuberculosis. About 50 years later, American photobiologist Dr. John Ott claimed that "full-spectrum" light from the sun is needed for the body to absorb key nutrients, and that pollution, windows, and eyeglasses may block vital components of the sun's rays. The discovery that reduced daylight hours can cause severe depression led to recognition of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

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CONSULTING A PRACTITIONER

When light enters the eye, it stimulates nerve impulses to the hypothalamus, part of the brain responsible for mood, appetite, sleep, temperature, and sex drive. These nerve impulses travel to the pineal gland in the brain, which regulates hormonal balance, including the production of seratonin, a hormone linked to mood. In darkness, the gland secretes melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep patterns by causing drowsiness and is also said to affect the immune system. If the body's internal clock is disrupted by jet lag, shift work, or seasonal changes in light, physical or psychological problems may occur.

Natural daylight also stimulates the body to produce vitamin D, essential for the absorption of certain minerals, including calcium, which strengthens bones. The UV rays in daylight have an antibacterial effect, thought to help clear skin infections such as acne and psoriasis.

The patient lies with eyes open on a couch under a lamp emitting UV filtered full spectrum or bright white light. Light is measured in a unit called the lux. At least 2,500 lux are needed to have a therapeutic effect on the body clock. Daylight averages about 5,000 lux, most offices about 500 to 1,000 lux.

A practitioner places you under a fluorescent full-spectrum or bright white light for up to an hour, depending on your condition. You can also use a light box and visor at home for at least 20 minutes a day. Fluorescent full-spectrum light is the same as natural daylight, but without the toxic UV wavelengths. Bright white light (so called because the colors combine to make white) contains no UV wavelengths - some studies suggest these are not needed for antidepressant effect.

MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Light Therapy Information & Techniques

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EVIDENCE & RESEARCH

Several studies led by Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, notably those published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in the 1980s, are accepted as evidence that SAD exists and can be treated by light therapy. The studies are supported by a growing body of research. UV light is known to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and has proved effective in treating psoriasis. Claims that it helps ailments such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and menstrual problems are not yet backed by research.

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CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL OPINION

SAD may cause depression in winter, but many conventional health care providers believe the disorder is relatively uncommon. For ailments such as psoriasis, UV light treatment is conventional practice. For others, such as cancer, it efficacy is unproved. Exposure to unfiltered UV rays must be weighed against the risk of skin cancer.

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Skin Cancer

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Acne

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Psoriasis

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Dermatitis

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information: Depression

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information: Insomnia

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LIGHT THERAPY PRODUCTS

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RELATED LINKS

Full Spectrum Solutions - Lighting Supplies

Apollo Light Therapy Boxes for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Foundation For Light Therapy

MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Color Therapy (Chromotherapy)

MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Light Therapy Information & Techniques

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information: Therapy Index

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MEDICINAL THERAPIES

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Naturopathy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Hydrotherapy

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MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Homeopathic Potencies

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MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Bach Flower Remedies

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Crystal Therapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Western Herbalism

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Chinese Herbalism

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Ayurveda

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Nutritional Therapies

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Orthomolecular Therapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Clinical Ecology

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Magnetic Therapy

MoonDragon's Alternative Therapy: Other Therapies



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