Solar Lamps for Healing

Using solar lamps for healing is relatively new, although using sunlight and heat for healing is an ancient practice. Also called light therapy or phototherapy, this practice involves using exposure to specific wavelengths of light using bright, full spectrum light, light-emitting diodes, lasers, dichroic lamps or fluorescent lamps for a certain length of time.

History

Since ancient times, health practitioners have known about the healing effects of the sun. Later, the medical profession realized that sunlight provides vitamin D to the human body. In relatively recent times, the use of concentrated light sources (solar lamps, infrared heat, etc.) has been explored as a treatment for a range of maladies.

The Facts

Sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D in the body. According to Dr. Michael Holick, author of The UV Advantage, vitamin D is used by the human body to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis and mental disorders. All energy on earth derives from the sun. The sun or an artificial broad spectrum light source makes plants grow and thrive. Infrared lamps are often used on chicken farms or other farms to keep indoor animals healthy and warm. They are used to keep reptiles thriving in aquariums. There are infrared saunas. Light therapy is sometimes prescribed by psychiatrists to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. For decades now, children born with jaundice have been treated with light therapy. Infrared heat is used in hospital nurseries to keep babies warm.

Types

Light Therapy -- Also called phototherapy and bright light therapy. It's used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression and Parkinson's tremors, among other disorders. In this therapy, you sit in front of a "light therapy box" that gives off a bright light like that of sunlight.

Infrared Light -- There are three types of infrared light: near, far and far-far. Near is the region closest in wavelength that is detectable by the human eye; the others are progressively further from visibility.

Infrared Sauna -- These saunas use infrared heaters which emit infrared radiant heat. This heat is absorbed directly into the body. It differs from a traditional sauna, wherein a heat source (flame or heaters) are used to warm the air and stones in a room, which makes the temperature rise, thus making body temperature rise.

Deep penetrating light therapy (DPLT) -- Using light emitting diodes, this treatment is used in wound healing, pain reduction, severe acne and in reducing wrinkles. Studies show that skin cell growth occurs at a rate 150-200 percent faster when they are exposed to LED light wavelengths.

Benefits

Light therapy is believed to alter circadian rhythms, thereby suppressing the body's release of melatonin. This helps control the effects of seasonal affective disorder. It may also be of value against other psychiatric problems, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and postpartum depression.

Some studies have shown that light therapy activates the body's production of hormones, including testosterone and estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. This could have value in a range of maladies, including impotence and infertility.

Studies have shown that phototherapy may be of value against tremors in Parkinson's patients.

Light therapy is commonly used in hospitals as a treatment for neonatal jaundice.

Light therapy has been used successfully to kill the bacteria that cause severe acne.

Light therapy is used for psoriasis and eczema in conjunction with oral medications.

Light therapy is used for tanning when the lights combine UVA and UVB spectrums.

Although some claim that light therapy promotes wound healing, there is no medical evidence to date proving it works. Deep penetrating light therapy (DPLT) is used for this purpose.

Precautions

Risks and side effects may include:

Agitation
Dry mouth
Eyestrain
Fatigue
Headache
Irritability
Mania
Nausea
Sleep problems
Vomiting

Side effects are usually mild and go away within a few days. UV light may cause skin or eye damage. Although most light therapy devices no longer contain UV, some still do. Consult a health professional before use if you have sensitive skin, if your medications increase the effects of sunlight (e.g., some antibiotics and inflammatories) or if you have an eye condition. Persons with bipolar disorder or depression should consult their health care provider before use.