YES! There is hope for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) using LED Light Therapy
Did You Know that the body has an amazing ability to heal itself naturally?
When a person receives a head injury, it is advisable to seek medical attention for evaluation to rule out a concussion or further injury. Many times though we just “deal with it” and take care of it ourselves by resting, applying ice and taking a few over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, as needed. For many reasons, we do not seek medical attention.
You may notice over the coming days or weeks that the symptoms do not improve. You may be experiencing:
- Headache (dull or intense that is constant or comes and goes)
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Neck stiffness
- Ringing in the ears
- Poor concentration
- Poor memory recall
These are a few symptoms that could signal a closed head injury and require evaluation from your Doctor or a Health Care Provider. Your visit may result in further testing and evaluation to rule out a brain bleeding, swelling or other abnormalities. With no other abnormalities present, your provider may advise you to take over-the-counter medication, encourage you to take it easy, and rest to help your symptoms resolve. While this approach works for many, the symptoms do not always resolve.
For some individuals, the symptoms continue and become increasingly bothersome. Over time, spouses, family, friends, even co-workers may begin to notice a difference. The ongoing PTSD symptoms from the head injury may lead to other changes such as:
- Anger
- Mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty communicating thoughts
- Short temper
- Crying for no particular reason
- Or, just not being oneself
This is the body telling you something!
Here’s what the negative CT or MRI imaging scans don’t tell you – medical research 1 is now finding that when there is a head injury, it causes a lack of blood flow and nerve cell inflammation to one or several areas of the brain that isn’t always seen on the MRI or CT scans. This inflammation results in pain because of the low levels of oxygen and blood flow to that injured area. When we increase blood flow to the injured area in the brain and other areas of the body, the body now has a chance to heal itself.
An effective way to increase circulation is with light energy. That’s right – light can help heal your body. Over the past 50 years, medical researchers have discovered that the use of polychromatic (blue, red, and near-infrared) LED lights work at the cellular level to safely heal the body. In fact, the FDA has cleared InLight Medical Systems (ILMS) Low Level Light Therapy for increasing circulation and decreasing pain.
The use of these polychromatic lights in Low Level Light Therapy (LLTT) trigger a release of chemicals that cause blood vessels to open. Some fascinating things happen when blood vessels open and function at a higher level. Some of these beneficial effects of include:
- Increased circulation
- Formation of new blood cells
- Speeds wound healing
- Pain relief
- Stimulating healing and regeneration of damaged nerve cells
- Increases nerve function due to nerve regeneration
For a person suffering from a head injury/concussion, opening the blood vessels and stimulating the nervous system can allow for the body to heal itself. In fact, “One of the most reproducible effects of Photo Bio Modulation (PBM) is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. Photo Bio Modulation (PBM) can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.” 2 Dr. Hamblin (Medical Researcher, Harvard University).
How Long Does it Take?
While the body has an amazing ability to heal and regenerate, it doesn’t happen overnight. For acute injuries (less than 3 months old) the body will likely begin to respond quicker. While for longer chronic pain (greater than 3 months) it may take several months for the symptoms to resolve. The trick is consistent use of the power of light therapy to allow the body a chance to heal.
Just be patient with yourself and with the healing process.
Contact me to help you, find a natural solution using Low Level Light Therapy that is Safe, Drug Free, No side effects and compliments your current medical plan with your Physician &/or Health Care Provider.
Not only is there hope, there may be a natural solution.
Medical Research
Submitted by; Mary Wisniewski, Physician Assistant, Certified Light Therapist, Educator and Instructor.
Contact: Grand Rapids Natural Health (616) 264-6556 to schedule your appointment.