- What should I expect on my first visit?
- What should I wear?
- What should I expect to feel after my session?
- Does it hurt?
- Is Light Therapy safe to use on sensitive skin?
- Will Light Therapy work for my [insert your condition here]?
- Are there any side effects?
- How long does it take to work?
- How often should I have Light Therapy?
- Is Light Therapy safe to use on children?
- Is Light Therapy safe to use on animals?
- Do you have Health Fund rebates?
- Can I have Light Therapy in my home?
- Is Light Therapy recognised by the scientific and medical community?
- Can Light Therapy cause skin cancer?
- Can Light Therapy cause harm?
- Is Light Therapy the same as Laser Therapy?
- My physio/chiro/massage therapist has a light therapy bed. Isn’t it better to have light everywhere at once?
- Can I stop Light Therapy once my condition has been resolved?
1. What should I expect on my first visit?
Your first visit will last 60-90 minutes. We will go over the paperwork and I’ll answer any questions you might have about Light Therapy. Then I will place light pads directly on your skin (or over your clothes), in areas relevant to the health issue being addressed. When the session is completed we will assess any changes and discuss further treatment.
2. What should I wear?
Wear comfortable, loose, light-coloured clothing. This will allow me to place the pads directly on your skin (or clothing). Don’t worry, there is no need to undress and we disinfect the pads after each session.
3. What should I expect to feel after my session?
Though everyone responds differently, most people report feeling very relaxed. Some experience immediate relief from their symptoms, while others take several sessions to notice a change. It is important to understand that Light Therapy isn’t a miracle cure. People with long term, chronic conditions tend to improve gradually. Where as those with recent injuries tend to see results faster.
4. Does it hurt?
Absolutely not. It is a calming and relaxing experience. Because Light Therapy puts your body into a relaxed (parasympathetic) state, most people fall asleep during the session. Some people feel a sensation of tingling and warmth.
5. Is Light Therapy safe to use on sensitive skin?
All Light Therapy devices I use are safe for all skin types and skin tones. However, if you have any specific concerns, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor or a dermatologist.
6. Will Light Therapy work for my [insert your condition here]?
I get this question almost every day. So here’s my best answer. Light Therapy will reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation and promote cellular repair and healing. It provides your cells the energy to do the work they’re meant to do.
So, if reducing pain, improving circulation and repairing your cells will help your condition, then, YES Light Therapy will work for you.
7. Are there any side effects?
No adverse reactions have ever been reported to health authorities worldwide. Some people report feeling sleepy after the session. Others have mild detox reactions. It is important to stay well hydrated whilst receiving Light Therapy to minimise those.
8. How long does it take to work?
Although some people can experience a reduction in symptoms on the first session, for most Light Therapy is not an immediate miracle transformation, but it will provide you with ongoing improvements that you will begin to see in anywhere from 24 hours to 2 months, depending on the condition, its severity, and how regularly you have Light Therapy.You should expect to see gradual, consistent improvement with consistent treatment.
When using red / infrared light for pain relief, for example, you can expect to feel somewhat better right away. However, it’s not like taking an Nurofen, which will mask the pain for a while. Consistent treatment with Light Therapy will often heal the cause of the pain.
9. How often should I have Light Therapy?
This will depend on the severity of the health condition you are trying to heal. The amount of time it takes to see or feel results will vary from person to person. For example someone is severe pain or discomfort will benefit from daily sessions until the pain subsides. Though generally I recommended that you start with 3 sessions in the first week.
10. Is Light Therapy safe to use on children?
Yes! Therapy will be adjusted according to the age of the child and their specific health condition. Children respond well to Light Therapy.
11. Is Light Therapy safe to use on animals?
Yes! Light Therapy has been shown to be effective on dogs, cats and other animals.
12. Do you have Health Fund rebates?
No. Currently Health Funds in Australia do not offer rebates for Light Therapy.
13. Can I have Light Therapy in my home?
Yes! We do home visits for those who are unable to come to us.
14. Is Light Therapy recognised by the scientific and medical community?
The effectiveness of Light Therapy has been known for decades and has been proven in over 5000 studies, currently available in the PubMed database of peer-reviewed medical papers. Long before FDA approval in the United States, Light Therapy has been used in European countries and by professional athletes and veterinarians worldwide.
Clinical studies continue to be conducted by universities, various health organisations and equipment manufacturers, all of whom have documented the healing effects of using red and infrared light therapy.
15. Can Light Therapy cause skin cancer?
No. Light Therapy devices do not produce UV rays. Skin Cancer is caused by exposure to UV wavelengths. The wavelengths produced by Light Therapy devices (red and near-infrared) are at the other end of the light spectrum, far away from the UV range.
16. Can Light Therapy cause harm?
Although Light Therapy has been determined to be 100% safe when used correctly, there are certain conditions where extra caution is required. These include:
- Pregnancy
- Epilepsy or seizures
- Cancer
- Haemorrhaging or internal bleeding
- Stroke
- Low blood pressure
If you have any of the above conditions please consult your doctor prior to using Light Therapy.
17. Is Light Therapy the same as Laser Therapy?
There are some similarities between these therapies. Although sometimes referred to as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Light Therapy uses LEDs of specific wavelength and power density to promote healing. It is much safer than laser therapy, which, if used incorrectly, can heat up the skin and cause damage. In reality, the body does not distinguish between light coming from a laser device to that coming from LED device. The wavelength (colour) gets absorbed regardless of where it comes from. Although the proponents of Laser devices claim that because lasers a more powerful, the light goes much deeper – this was proven to be false. The depth of absorption of light is dependant solely on the wavelength (colour) of light not the power of the device.
18. My physio/chiro/massage therapist has a light therapy bed. Isn’t it better to have light everywhere at once?
Where Light Therapy is concerned, more is not necessarily better. Light therapy beds have their place and are beneficial for generally healthy people to use in sports recovery, for example. However, for those seeking to heal specific conditions or who have chronic health issues, we would advise against using light therapy beds. This is because they deliver too much light too quickly and can cause a serious detox reaction, making the person feel significantly worse. They do not target areas of concern and are not suitable for healing.
19. Can I stop Light Therapy once my condition has been resolved?
Yes. However, because of life’s continual stresses, we recommend regular “tune-up” sessions to keep your body in balance and in good health.