Information about Light Therapy
FTC Disclosure: Purchasing products directly through me or using discount codes or referral links help me to fund new and continuing education and to do basic things like pay my mortgage. Thanks for your support! Note: by clicking on any of the links on this page, you are consenting to use cookies on your computer or device.
https://summit.photonictherapyinstitute.com/light-therapy-for-animals/register/?affcode=a185
If you would like to watch my presentation, Love and Light, Caring for Geriatric Animals you can purchase an all-access pass for $50 which gives you access to all the recordings (for one year), presentation slides, and handouts from the summit.
Light Therapy Has Been Shown to:
Lower Pain
Increase Circulation
Decrease Inflammation
Stimulate Cellular Repair
Activate Acupoints
You may have heard of light therapy for season affective disorder (SAD), that the UVB wavelengths in sunlight help the body produce it's own vitamin D, or that blue light at night causes the photoreceptors in your eyes to think it's daytime. Research has proven that certain wavelengths of light also stimulate other physiological processes in the body and refer to this process as photobiomodulation. Have you ever heard of "cold laser therapy" for pain management and helping the body to heal itself? Laser therapy is one method of light therapy delivery but science has proven that light doesn't have to come out in straight line to be effective. The devices I use are LED and SLED medical-grade products that are approved for in-home use. They work by delivering an optimal dosage of light (photons) using the parameters that the scientific community finds to provide the most benefit based on current research.
For torches, premium pad-based systems, and animal-based products: www.lightupyourgame.com
For panel systems, click here
Register here to get your invitation to office hours, a weekly light therapy education conference call: https://dr336.isrefer.com/go/OH/a185/
Laura Patrick, Certified Light Therapist
Board of Advanced Natural Health Sciences
I came across light therapy (formally known as photobiomodulation in the scientific and medical communities) in 2017. I utilized a pad-based system to help with pain, muscle stiffness, and muscle spasms and as a way to increase circulation to localized areas of my body, giving my body a better chance to heal itself. When I saw the great results I had, my family tried it as well with similar success. Being the curious person that I am, I had to figure out how and why it worked which led me to seek the education that allowed me to become a certified light therapist. Since then, the learning hasn't stopped as I enjoy keeping up with the many medical studies being published on pubmed.gov and the many learning opportunities offered by Photonic Therapy Institute.
Why I choose to focus on education, consultation, and sales of high-quality, medical-grade photobiomodulation devices:
As a Certified Light Therapist, I could open my own business built around giving light therapy sessions, but I've chosen to use my knowledge in a different way to help people. Since my main passion is golf instruction, my secondary passion is helping people maintain the necessary health and wellness in order to participate in the activities they love (including golf). Through my education and personal experience, I have come to realize that it is best to have light therapy technology at your disposal in your home. Light therapy is my family's first line of defense when it comes to aches and pains. You can read the article about how I got into light therapy here: https://photonictherapyinstitute.com/aging-athlete-seeks-new-answers-to-old-questions-aka-how-to-accidentally-become-a-certified-light-therapist/
Between my husband, pets, and I, we use our pad-based system at least once per day on average. That's approximately 854 sessions from September 2017 to January 2020. Considering that Healthline.com reports that a single light therapy session can cost between $25-85 a session depending on your location and provider, this means that at a minimum we have gotten the equivalent of $21,350 in clinical quality light therapy sessions during those 2.5 years. (854 sessions x $25).
The most commonly used statement in our house regarding body issues is:
"If it's worth complaining about, it's worth putting light on it." -Laura Patrick
Laser vs LED: Even though light therapy has been around for a long time and proven to be very safe, there has been an exponential increase in the understanding of how light produces a physiological effect (photobiomodulation). This is due to the increase in the technology of medical imaging devices and the increased interest from the medical community in discovering that light therapy can actually assist the body in many ways. If you go to pubmed.gov and search the medical literature (LLLT or the new term, photobiomodulation), you can find over 5000 medical articles. The main one I want to point out is that they have discovered that effectiveness is not determined by the how the light (photons) are delivered (laser vs LED), but rather based on wavelength and dosage. So if you are a skeptic like me, feel free to read this article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3799034/ Plus there is an added benefit that LED is safer than laser because you won't shoot your eye out with an LED.
Is Light Therapy Safe?: Yes, all the products that I use and recommend are safe for use. They only use the safe portions of the light spectrum that have been proven to be beneficial to the body.
I choose with work with and recommend products that are backed by the most recent science and from vendors I know and trust. Not all light therapy devices are the same or created equal. You need devices that provide what the medical community calls a therapeutic dose from the correct wavelengths for the products to positively affect the body. Science has shown that the color (wavelength) of light and the dosage (joules/cm2) are very important to yield a physiological response in the body. You also want devices from manufacturers that stand behind their products and offer rigorous quality and safety testing. Cheap products that seem too good to be true often tend to have one or more of the following issues: they get too hot, they make outrageous claims, they don't deliver an appropriate dosage (unless you use them for hours at a time), the light isn't the color (wavelength) they claim it to be or it varies wildly from one device to another, or they are throw-away devices that break and cannot be fixed. This is why I have done the exhaustive research for you. There are a couple companies I choose to work with:
Photonic Therapy Institute Torches
Photonic Therapy Institute (PTI) sells portable, handheld light therapy devices (called torches) that can be utilized on any part of the body where you would like to deliver light. They were created by Certified Light Therapy Instructor and Practitioner, Kay Aubrey-Chimene, who saw a need for an affordable product that delivers a quality dosage of light in a proper wavelength. Many people also use these on acupuncture points to deliver similar benefits without using needles through a process called photopuncture. PTI also offers a dental attachment for their torch and studies are currently underway in dental offices in California for use in pain relief and faster recovery times following oral surgery.
PTI is also a worldwide leader in light therapy education. They offer a free Introduction to Light Therapy Course and a free weekly video conference called Office Hours which presents current research in easy to understand language and provides time for caller questions. PTI also offers online and in-person education opportunities for people interested in learning more about photopuncture, pet light therapy, equine light therapy, and becoming a Certified Light Therapist.
Visit the PTI Light Store for light therapy tools and education opportunities at www.lightupyourgame.com
They have a build your own torch kit option where you can put combine any number or torches and accessories. If you can only buy one torch, I recomment The Red+ torch. It is the first torch that combines both red and near-infrared for deeper penetration due to muscles and bones. This was created at the request of the dentist conducting the dental studies. I call it the pain eraser. *As you can see, I'm using the PTI Red+ Torch on my knee while flying. If you are looking to dip your toe into light therapy and are on a budget, the Red torch would be your best bet. I can answer any questions you have about colors, accessories and kits.
In Light Therapy and dpl Flex Pads
Figuring out which pad-based system to purchase can be challenging to sort through with all the available options. I am trained to help you match a system with your needs and budget. Please contact me at LPGolfAcademy@gmail.com to set up a call about choosing the best pad-based system for you.
inLight Therapy offers top-of-the-line single and multi-pad systems that will provide you years of use. I have can provide you with information and purchasing options to inLight LED systems. These medical-grade systems run anywhere from $1150-$4995 depending on the system and number of pads you chose when designing a system for your needs. You can browse and purchase this system at Photonic Therapy Institute - be sure to click on Pads and Pad Systems.
dpl Flex Pads are the "budget-friendly" single or multi-pad rechargeable battery-operated system that I recommend. Although I do not own one myself, my industry peers highly respect them as a budget-friendly option for those just getting started in Light Therapy and I have received positive feedback regarding their use. Photonic Therapy Institute is a reputable seller and offers a one-year warranty on these pads. A single pad is available for $175 and a 3-pack is available for $500.
In Light Therapy (formerly inLight Medical) is a pad-based system that is a Class II Medical Device approved for in-home use with an FDA Clearance for reducing pain, muscle tightness and spasms and also for increasing circulation. It is manufactured in an FDA Inspected facility. This is a medical-grade product approved for in-home use and can often be found in hospitals, doctor's offices, and light therapist's offices. An In Light Therapy system is an investment in your health, pain management, and quality of life. The beauty of owning your own system is that you can use it whenever you want in the comfort of your own home. Sessions typically last 20 minutes and you can customize your system to fit your needs. I use this device multiple times a week and have more than paid for the retail cost of my own system vs getting light therapy in a clinical setting. My husband and I have also cut our ibuprofen intake significantly due to the product's ability to help us manage our aches and pains while supporting cellular repair. I've had my inLight Therapy unit since September of 2017 and it is still working great with almost daily use (or the equivalent since my husband and pets use it).
Reach out directly to me at LPGolfAcademy@gmail.com or at 763-267-7531 if you have questions regarding which pad-based system is right for your needs.
LightPath LED Panels
Although I do not own a panel-based system (yet), many people enjoy using them. Scott Kennedy, veteran and owner of LightPath LED, creates a high-quality panel that comes with a great warranty. Through my interactions with Scott, I can tell he has done a lot of great research and development to create a quality product that he delivers with a great deal of integrity. He also helps to educate each of his customers on how to use his products. He also has a new line of diesel torches that look very interesting and does offer some great mid-level single-pad options. If I do get around to buying a panel, it will be from LightPath LED. Click here to visit the LightPath LED Store.
(Note: if you have found my education helpful, please use this link when you make your final purchase. It costs you nothing and the money made helps me continue to educate people on the benefits of light therapy)
Pad vs Torch Systems - which one is right for me?
I personally use both and here is why: It depends on how you would like to use the device, and if you have access to a power source during your intended use, and your budget.
The In Light Systems are designed to cover a large area and must be used near a power source (think of relaxing in your recliner, at an office or in your bed). The torch based devices are designed to be used anywhere and are great for covering small areas and acupoints. They are portable and require no power source since they have a rechargeable battery.
Both products use what the light therapy community calls a therapeutic dosage: The PTI Red torch used on the high setting delivers the same amount of light in 1 minute as a 20-minute session with the In Light system (when referring to a specific point on your body). Wondering why you would ever use a pad-based system? Imagine trying to move the torch every minute to a new location to get the same amount of coverage as a pad-based system would provide - it would take forever.
The In Light System delivers 2-3 beneficial wavelengths at a time providing multiple depths of light penetration into the body. Torches are offered as singe wavelength (red or blue) or dual-wavelength (red+ near-infrared). Finally, the torch offers a single pulse setting option and the In Light System offers multi-pulse technology based on the principles of frequency medicine. FYI - pulsing is good.
Overall you base your decision on what fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle the best and I am here to assist you in making that choice. Contact me to tell me your story and I can answer your questions and customize a solution based on your needs. LPGolfAcademy@gmail.com or 763-267-7531
For torches, medical-grade pads, budget-friendly pads, and animal-based products, visit: www.lightupyourgame.com
For panels and budget-friendly pad systems click here.
Legalities:
Below are some disclaimers that none of us are doctors or medical professionals and cannot diagnose or cure you (or your condition) in any fashion. You can try light therapy and see if it helps you feel better, but it is not approved or cleared by the FDA to "fix" any specific medical conditions. Keep the medical stuff between you and your medical professional, and if you are looking for tools that help with your health and wellness while supporting and balancing your body, I'm your gal. Capiche?
Laura Patrick is NOT a licensed physician (or veterinarian) and is unable to cure, diagnose, mitigate, prevent or treat conditions. Light therapy, Titleist Performance Institute screenings/information, Rotex Motion Exercises, Mach 3 Speed Training, and HeartMath tools should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment from a licensed physician or other healthcare providers. Laura Patrick is an affiliate of Photonic Therapy Institute and LightPath LED.
PhotonicTherapyInstitute.com (PTI) and its related products are not intended to diagnose or prescribe for medical, chiropractic or psychological conditions for humans or animals. PTI DOES NOT CLAIM to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any conditions. PTI DOES NOT RECOMMEND specific information, products or services as treatment of disease or provide diagnosis, care, treatment or rehabilitation of individuals or animals. Subscribers agree to make their own decisions, in conjunction with my chosen medical professionals, to provide diagnoses, treatments, operations or prescriptions any physical conditions including, but not limited to disease, pain, injury, deformity. Any PTI recommended protocol, recipe or approach is based on training and experience with Light Therapy, nutritional supplements or traditional uses and may not be generally recognized as substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Any use of the techniques, education, information, supplements and other products or services is based on my informed consent. Subscribers understand that any testimonials represent a cross-section of the range of results that appear to be typical with the information, products or services. Results may vary depending upon use and commitment.