Have you ever seen or heard about red light therapy and its associated benefits?
Some of them being, relieving pain, reducing inflammation, improving signs of aging, helping other skin issues like scars and stretch marks, and even regrowing hair.
Well, more great news, red light therapy can also be really helpful for the thyroid!
New studies have show an improved affect on Hashimoto's thyroiditis and those with hypothyroid. Low-level laser (light) therapy, is a general term for using non-thermal, low intensity lasers or light-emitting diodes (LED lights) at specific wavelengths to promote healing.
When tissues are exposed to low levels of red and near-infrared (NIR) light, the light and wavelengths penetrate into the tissues in a directed manner (without causing harm to the tissue), and stimulates signaling pathways in the cells at the mitochondrial level.
Red light is visible, it typically hits the surface of the skin, and is found at wavelengths between 630-700 nm; at wavelengths between 810-850 nm, near-infrared light is not visible and can penetrate several layers into the skin.
Using a red light therapy device, a technician can direct the light at specific areas on the body to potentially promote healing, or at Health & Vitality, you can relax under our 5 foot light therapy bed, which, because of the distance of the light from your body, will allow all of mitochondria in your body to receive this valuable stimulation.
In 2020, a research study containing 350 participants with Hashimoto's were classified into two groups. All participants received dietary supplementation such as vitamin D, iron, and selenium, with one group also receiving light therapy in two-second long applications directed at the thyroid gland, twice a day for three days. The study used an 850 nm wavelength low-level laser light.
This study examined the effects of red light therapy on thyroid function, antibody levels, and whether or not the patients experienced a decrease in hormone therapy.
The group using light therapy (versus the control group) experienced a greater increase in T3 levels and T3/T4 ratios, as well as a more significant reduction in thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO). They also showed a greater decrease in levothyroxine dose needs post-treatment. Most importantly, their symptoms had improved and the participants of the study felt the quality of their lives had improved. 🙂
Here’s what someone with Hashimoto's had to say about red light therapy:
“I have been using a Red Light Therapy bed for the past 3 months and it has been life changing for me. Many of the issues from being permanently hypothyroid are gone. The 24/7 body aches and burning is gone, my chicken skin and psoriasis is gone, my stamina has improved 90% and my depression is almost entirely gone.
I go 3-4 times a week for 20 minutes each session to a tanning salon which has 2 red light beds. As far as the heat of it, they have a fan which you can either have blowing on you or turn to just circulate around the room to keep it cool but I am heat intolerant and it doesn’t really bother me much, it actually feels good during the winter months. I have done all the research and red light is very safe.”*
Another user said:
“Red light therapy cut my antibodies in half.”*
And lastly, another user also had incredible results from red light therapy regarding psoriasis, another auto-immune condition, as well as depression:
“I started about a year ago to help with my psoriasis. Red light therapy helps with this and also with depression and the winter SADD symptoms.”*
If you're trying to put Hashimoto's into remission, or just trying to manage the side effects of a hypoactive thyroid, you might want to give our Red Light Therapy Bed a try. Red Light therapy has the most effective results when used regularly and frequently, which is why we offer packages for those interested.
Our Red Light Therapy Table is comfortable and private, and scheduled by reservation. To reserve the table text our office line at 385.429.3365 or give us a call at 801.921.2260
* References:
Ercetin, C. et al. Impact of Photobiomodulation on T3/T4 Ratio and Quality of Life in Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Photobio. Photomed. Las. Surg. 2020; 38(7): 409-412.
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