Known as PBM,Photobiomodulation therapy is a non-invasive laser treatment that accelerates healing in the cells and tissues of the body. This can reduce inflammation, pain and swelling, and aid in the healing of wounds and surgical sites. The technology is a combination of two different wavelengths of light: red and near infrared.
Does photobiomodulation actually work?
The science behind this technology is solid but the promise is still a little overblown. Websites offering at-home or in-clinic devices can be found touting PBM’s ability to increase longevity, boost immunity and treat depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Some even claim that it can boost your athletic performance at the gym and in the bedroom.
PBM works by sending photons into the cell’s mitochondria to affect its metabolic processes. The result is the release of nitric oxide, an increase in ATP and a reduction in oxidative stress. These effects can be induced by both continuous and pulsed emission, and they occur at the cellular level.
A study of the effect of PBM on age-related cardiovascular changes in AC8 mice found that regular PBM treatments significantly mitigated them. A 3-month regimen of brief 2 minute sessions was associated with improvements in heart function, vascular remodeling and gait symmetry (which provides an indication of neuro-musculoskeletal coordination). These results are consistent with other studies showing that PBM improves lymphatic flow, which is a major contributing factor to post mastectomy lymphoedema. PBM also increases primary stability of implants and stimulates regenerative bone tissue.