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Acupuncture & Photobiomodulation Therapy


Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), LED or red light therapy, is coming to Bethesda Acupuncture. We are excited to integrate this modern technology with acupuncture to improve patient healing and outcomes. The photobiomodulation process includes stimulating Cytochrome C, increasing production of ATP, increasing NO and ROS activity to help restore cellular function. The devices we use are targeted, medical grade, FDA cleared, and utilize NASA's LED technology to simultaneously emit multiple wavelengths of light from red to infrared. These wavelengths have been shown in studies to:

  • improve recovery from neurological damage, have neuroprotective benefits, stimulate the regrowth of neurons, reduce long-term neurological damage, and reduce neuropathic pain

  • enhance cognitive function and support healing of brain injury

  • reduce injury and surgical downtime, reduce inflammation, infection, post-traumatic swelling, and muscle fatigue

  • improve bone repair and growth

  • improve symptoms of depression and anxiety

  • increase endorphins

  • stimulate mitochondrial activity, cellular energy production, cell metabolism and accelerate healing and recovery

  • boost production of stem cells

  • enhance liver regeneration

  • stimulate collagen production and increase fibroblast production

  • improve thyroid function

  • increase blood circulation and oxygenation

  • relieve arthritic pain

  • reduce fine lines, hyperpigmentation, scars, psoriasis, eczema, sun-damage, redness and wrinkles

  • stimulate hair growth in men and women

  • reduce inflammation and acne breakouts

This healing technology is available alongside acupuncture and herbal therapy to help synergistically accelerate healing from within.


During the month of January, patients who are undergoing acupuncture therapy for neurological issues may register to participate in our case studies and qualify to receive complimentary photobiomodulation therapy during their appointments.


It would be our pleasure to schedule an evaluation for you to see if you may benefit from our integrative therapies.

 

References:


Ash, C., Dubec, M., Donne, K., & Bashford, T. (2017, November). Effect of wavelength and beam width on penetration in light-tissue interaction using computational methods.


Lampl, Y., Zivin, J. A., Fisher, M., Lew, R., Welin, L., Dahlof, B., Borenstein, P., Andersson, B., Perez, J., Caparo, C., Ilic, S., & Oron, U. (2007). Infrared laser therapy for ischemic stroke: a new treatment strategy: results of the NeuroThera Effectiveness and Safety Trial-1 (NEST-1). Stroke, 38(6), 1843–1849.


U. Oron, L. Maltz, H. Tuby, V. Sorin, and A. Czerniak. Enhanced Liver Regeneration Following Acute Hepatectomy by Low-Level Laser Therapy. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. Oct 2010.675-678.


Jimenez, J. J., Wikramanayake, T. C., Bergfeld, W., Hordinsky, M., Hickman, J. G., Hamblin, M. R., & Schachner, L. A. (2014). Efficacy and safety of a low-level laser device in the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss: a multicenter, randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind study. American journal of clinical dermatology, 15(2), 115–127.


Hamblin M. R. (2019). Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's Disease: Has the Light Dawned?. Photonics, 6(3), 77.


Höfling, D. B., Chavantes, M. C., Juliano, A. G., Cerri, G. G., Romão, R., Yoshimura, E. M., & Chammas, M. C. (2010). Low-level laser therapy in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: a pilot study. Lasers in surgery and medicine, 42(6), 589–596.


Ferraresi, C., Huang, Y. Y., & Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?. Journal of biophotonics, 9(11-12), 1273–1299.


Avci, P., Gupta, A., Sadasivam, M., Vecchio, D., Pam, Z., Pam, N., & Hamblin, M. R. (2013). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery, 32(1), 41–52.


Salehpour, F., Mahmoudi, J., Kamari, F., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Rasta, S. H., & Hamblin, M. R. (2018). Brain Photobiomodulation Therapy: a Narrative Review. Molecular neurobiology, 55(8), 6601–6636.


Li, W. T., Leu, Y. C., & Wu, J. L. (2010). Red-light light-emitting diode irradiation increases the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 28 Suppl 1, S157–S165.


Begum, R., Calaza, K., Kam, J. H., Salt, T. E., Hogg, C., & Jeffery, G. (2015). Near-infrared light increases ATP, extends lifespan and improves mobility in aged Drosophila melanogaster. Biology letters, 11(3), 20150073.


Tafur, J., & Mills, P. J. (2008). Low-intensity light therapy: exploring the role of redox mechanisms. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 26(4), 323–328.


Sommer A. P. (2019). Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase is not the primary acceptor for near infrared light-it is mitochondrial bound water: the principles of low-level light therapy. Annals of translational medicine, 7(Suppl 1), S13.


Seung Yoon Lee, Ki-Ho Park, Jung-Woo Choi, Jung-Kyun Kwon, Doo Rak Lee, Mi Sun Shin, Jee Sung Lee, Chung Eui You, Mi Youn Park (2007)

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: Clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings,

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 88, Issue 1, 1011-1344


Hipskind, S. G., Grover, F. L., Jr, Fort, T. R., Helffenstein, D., Burke, T. J., Quint, S. A., Bussiere, G., Stone, M., & Hurtado, T. (2018). Pulsed Transcranial Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy Using Light-Emitting Diodes Improves Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 10.1089/pho.2018.4489.


Hennessy, M., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Photobiomodulation and the brain: a new paradigm. Journal of optics (2010), 19(1), 013003.


Chang S, Carpena NT, Kang BJ, Lee MY. Effects of Photobiomodulation on Stem Cells Important for Regenerative Medicine. Medical Lasers 2020;9:134-141.


Hamblin M. R. (2016). Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA clinical, 6, 113–124.


das Neves, M. F., Dos Reis, M. C., de Andrade, E. A., Lima, F. P., Nicolau, R. A., Arisawa, E. Â., Andrade, A. O., & Lima, M. O. (2016). Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT 808 nm) on lower limb spastic muscle activity in chronic stroke patients. Lasers in medical science, 31(7), 1293–1300.


Oron, Amir & Oron, Uri & Streeter, Jackson & De Taboada, Luis & Alexandrovich, Alexander & Trembovler, Victoria & Shohami, Esther. (2007). Low-Level Laser Therapy Applied Transcranially to Mice following Traumatic Brain Injury Significantly Reduces Long-term Neurological Deficits. Journal of neurotrauma. 24. 651-6. 10.1089/neu.2006.0198.


Schiffer, F., Johnston, A. L., Ravichandran, C., Polcari, A., Teicher, M. H., Webb, R. H., & Hamblin, M. R. (2009). Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety. Behavioral and brain functions : BBF, 5, 46.


Cassano, P., Petrie, S. R., Hamblin, M. R., Henderson, T. A., & Iosifescu, D. V. (2016). Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis. Neurophotonics, 3(3), 031404.


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Zhao, J., Tian, Y., Nie, J., Xu, J., & Liu, D. (2012). Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. Journal of athletic training, 47(6), 673–678.


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Salehpour, F., & Hamblin, M. R. (2020). Photobiomodulation for Parkinson's Disease in Animal Models: A Systematic Review. Biomolecules, 10(4), 610.


Wu, J., Chang, W., Hsieh, C., Jiang, J., Fang, W., Shan, Y., & Chang, Y. (2012, September 02). Effect of low-level laser stimulation on EEG.

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