The HealthLight system is the newest generation of LED therapy for humans and animals. LED light therapy has been recognized in the horse world for repairing equine injuries since 1983 when CEFCO Inc released the first units. Global Health Products Therapeutic Systems is proud to advance this technology for the human world.

Although few physiotherapy departments or clinics would be without a low level light modality, some scepticism, regarding this type of therapy, remains even though LED devices are being used by mainstream medical doctors, nurses, veterinarians, equine therapists, chiropractors, dentists, remedial massage therapists, physiotherapists, and many more. More and more publications within the medical and scientific community attest to the clinical usefulness of these devices and their many biological effects.

Acute and sub-acute pain and inflammation arises in humans and animals due to the stress of training and performance. Sometimes, as would be in the case of trauma, these conditions require immediate help from your medical doctor or veterinarian. However, traditional mainstream medical and veterinary therapies may benefit from alternative therapies to provide a long-term resolution of the problem. Many people have found that LED therapy can provide a complete and lasting resolution of many human and equine problems when it is coupled with medical or veterinary diagnosis.

Most existing scientific studies deal with Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). Essentially these studies show light therapy may reduce pain after dental extractions, improve immune functions, decrease wound healing time, increase the speed for healing of fractures, relieve the discomfort of eczema, increase mitochondrial ATP production, improve the cosmetic appearance of stretch marks, heal pressure ulcers (bed sores), increase production of DNA and collagen, and increase the activity of fibroblasts. Similar studies are beginning to appear in which LEDs were used with parallel results. Both laser and LED treatments appear to trigger the same responses. This may be because the amount of energy delivered (joules) is similar.

The HealthLight system uses non-coherent light. LEDs produce a larger light dispersion beam than lasers and allow a greater margin of error in their effectiveness at reaching the targeted area. Lasers can be very dangerous when not used properly or by properly trained people. LED therapy is completely safe to use. In fact the FDA has relaxed most restrictions on human LED infrared therapy.

Because lasers were used in early research, we see names such as low-level laser, infrared laser, helium neon (HeNe) laser, cold laser, low-level light laser, and low power laser when we read about photon therapy. The term laser therapy is inappropriate for the photon therapy used today. It is the energy produced and the interaction of light photons and molecules within the cell that create the biological effect.

Light therapy has also been given the names phototherapy and more recently photodynamic therapy (PDT) or Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL). A study done by the Mayo Clinic in 1989 suggests that the results of light therapy are a direct effect of light itself, generated at specific wavelengths, and are not necessarily a function of the characteristics of coherency and polarization associated with lasers. In a study entitled Low-Energy Laser Therapy: Controversies and New Research Findings, Jeffrey R. Basford, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, suggests that the coherent aspect of laser may not be the source of its therapeutic effect. He states "firstly, the stimulating effects (from therapeutic light) are reported following irradiation with non-laser sources and secondly, tissue scattering, as well as fibre optic delivery systems used in many experiments rapidly degrade coherency...”

LEDs have seen a major increase in popularity and use since 1995. The first LED units available for purchase in the equine industry (CEFCO, Dan Parris and Dave Melone) used 8mW peak power per diode, today the HealthLight system uses 200mW peak power (per diode) LEDs rated at 3,000mcd (millicandle power). This greatly influences the treatment times. The HealthLight system provides power at an affordable cost.

HealthLight’s multi-diode heads & pads make treatment easy and efficient. By placing the accessories as close as possible the photonic energy is in contact with the area being treated. Because the power density decreases (inversely proportional) with increasing distance between the diode and treatment area when using the HealthLight system, always keep the diodes as near as possible to the area being treated.

The most common use for the HealthLight system is for treating myofascial pain, joint pain, bruising, fractures, muscle problems, oedemas, and wounds. The HealthLight system is used to treat wounds that have failed to heal or are getting worse. Wound infections resolve quickly and close without a multiplication of proud flesh. Light therapy may also have an anti-bacterial effect. Because light therapy induces the production of collagen, an increase tensile strength and elasticity in scar tissue has been observed, allowing the scar tissue to withstand movement without breaking down over time.

More specifically, photonic (light) therapy has been established as a useful tool to:

• Increase vascularity (circulation) by increasing the formation of new capillaries, which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed up the healing process by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients needed for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.
• Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair damaged tissue and to replace old tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together and has a high degree of elasticity. By increasing collagen production less scar tissue is formed at the damaged site.
• Stimulate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major carrier of energy to all cells. Increases in ATP allow cells to accept nutrients faster and get rid of waste products faster by increasing the energy level in the cell. All food turns into ATP before the cells utilize it. ATP provides the chemical energy that drives the chemical reaction of the cell.
• Increase lymphatic system activity. Oedema, which is the swelling or natural splinting process of the body, has two basic components. The first is a liquid part, which can be evacuated by the blood system, and the second is comprised of the proteins that have to be evacuated by the lymphatic system. Research has shown that the lymph vessel diameter and the flow of the lymph system can be doubled with the use of light therapy. The venous diameter and the arterial diameters can also be increased. This means that both parts of oedema (liquid and protein) can be evacuated at a much faster rate to relieve swelling
• Reduce the excitability of nervous tissue. The photons of light energy enter the body as negative ions. This calls upon the body to send positive ions like calcium among others to go to the area being treated. These ions assist in firing the nerves thereby relieving pain.
• Stimulate fibroblastic activity that aids in the repair process. Fibroblasts are present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibres.
• Increase phagocytosis, the process of scavenging for and ingesting dead or degenerated cells by phagocyte cells for the purpose of clean up. This is an important part of the infection fighting process. Destruction of the infection and clean up must occur before the healing process can take place.
• Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue. The light raises the temperature of the cells through a photochemical reaction.
• Stimulate tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissues.
• Stimulate acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine causes cardiac inhibition, vasodilation, gastrointestinal peristalsis and other parasympathetic effects.

Many people with the following issues, problems and concerns have reported great results using LED therapy

At this time research has shown no side effects from LED light therapy although caution is urged for those people taking photosensitive drugs such as, but not limited to, tetracycline. Occasionally, one may experience an increase in pain or discomfort for a short period of time after treating chronic conditions. This is normal as the body returns to equilibrium following a treatment. Many alternative practitioners refer to this as a "healing crisis" that may occur as part of the normal process of recovery in some people. Any temporary increase in pain or discomfort is simply the body acknowledging an old problem and can be seen as positive feedback.