Red Light Therapy for Mental Health in Nashville, TN
Red light therapy, or RLT, is a type of therapy that has become more and more popular in recent years. You may be familiar with this therapy as an anti-aging treatment for correcting things like wrinkles and age spots, but it provides some benefits that may surprise you. Red light therapy helps many people gain better control of their mental health. It has been shown to help with conditions like depression, anxiety, and more. If you need help managing your mental health, red light therapy Nashville may be the missing step in your treatment plan.
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How Does Red Light Therapy in Nashville, TN, Work?
Red light therapy in Nashville is a very simple and straightforward treatment. A trained clinician exposes the client’s body to red light via a lamp, device, or laser. Very low levels of light are used and do not result in burning the skin. Although some applications may occur in equipment resembling a tanning bed, the light is not the same kind used in tanning booths, which means the skin won’t be exposed to potentially-damaging UV rays.
Red light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). This natural form of red light penetrates deep into the skin and is absorbed by the mitochondria in the skin cells. It helps cells create a chemical that supports energy production. It also proves beneficial as part of a treatment program for those suffering from mood disorders. It can help increase energy levels, promote better sleep, and leave a person feeling less anxiety and depression. No medications are involved in using red light therapy.
How many red light therapy sessions are needed depends on the individual, their mental health status, and treatment goals. The person providing the treatment will make a full assessment and then set a schedule. In general, sessions occur two or more times per week and last several minutes per session. How many sessions are needed depends on how the person responds to the treatment and can be adjusted as needed.
Red Light Therapy and Depression
For many types of depression, a lack of natural light is thought to lead to an increase in a person’s symptoms. But sometimes getting more natural light simply isn’t an option. A person may work at night or in an enclosed office. During the winter months, the sun simply isn’t out long enough to provide a lot of benefits. As well, many people find that depression keeps them from feeling the motivation to get outside in the first place.
In these cases, red light therapy in Nashville can prove quite effective. Red light waves, especially infrared light waves, are able to penetrate the skin. Furthermore, when aiming the light at the top of the head, these lightwaves can impact the brain. This helps to boost activity in areas that depression typically turns off.
In 2018, a study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of RLT as a depression treatment. It was found that, after eight weeks of treatment, many participants saw medium to large decreases in their depression symptoms. In addition, there were no serious side effects or reactions reported.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Mental Health
Cognitive Function: Some studies suggest that red light therapy can improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and executive function. This might be due to increased ATP production, leading to better cellular function in the brain.
Brain Injury Recovery: Red light therapy has been researched as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other brain conditions. It may help improve the recovery process by reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair.
Sleep: By potentially regulating circadian rhythms and promoting overall relaxation, red light therapy might help improve sleep quality and duration for some individuals.
Stress Reduction: There’s some evidence to suggest that red light therapy can help reduce oxidative stress in the brain, which might contribute to reduced feelings of stress and improved mental clarity.
Neuroprotection: By stimulating cellular health and function, red light therapy may offer neuroprotective benefits, safeguarding the brain from potential damage or degeneration.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): While light therapy for SAD traditionally uses white or blue light to mimic sunlight, there’s interest in researching whether red light therapy can also be beneficial due to its potential mood-regulating effects.
Red Light Therapy and Anxiety
Unlike red light therapy for the treatment of depression, when used for anxiety, the light can be absorbed anywhere on the body, not just the head. The reason for this is that some mitochondria circulate throughout the body. As a result, the treated cells are able to have an effect on anxiety symptoms no matter where the red light treatment is administered.
While studies continue to be done on the effects of red light therapy on anxiety, many already show a reduction in anxiety levels for many. One study showed that patients dealing with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) saw significant reductions in their symptoms after eight weeks of RLT treatment.
Red Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. SAD typically flares up during the fall and winter months when natural light is less abundant and temperatures are lower. Many people with SAD use light therapy lamps in their homes. These lamps are designed to help expose them to a needed light source. However, for many, this does not provide adequate help in reducing their symptoms.
Red light therapy can offer a more powerful source for administering needed artificial light to those suffering from SAD. While studies are ongoing on this topic, many people already report experiencing improved moods and fewer symptoms of SAD when they receive red light therapy.
Find Red Light Therapy in Nashville Today!
Many people suffer from mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and SAD. Sadly, many of them find that the use of daily mental health medications may not be enough to give them the relief they need from their symptoms. Red light therapy in Nashville can provide a useful, life-changing alternative. If you are looking for a safe and easy-to-use treatment option for your mental health symptoms, Arbor Wellness may have the answers you’re looking for.
Contact us and find out more about our residential and outpatient programs. Don’t let a mood disorder overshadow your life another day.
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