Light healing is a type of treatment modality that is employed by therapeutically using light to instigate the healing process. An individual utilizing light therapy may absorb light from the sun or use special equipment such as light boxes, lasers, or lamps. Light healing is widely believed to help with mood disorders, skin conditions, and sleep issues.
The only reliable way for the human body to produce helpful levels of vitamin D is through exposure to sunlight or artificial light that is transmitted on specific wavelengths. This light triggers the release of vitamin D in the skin. Research has shown that the further an individual lives from the equator, the longer it takes for the system to generate vitamin D. In certain regions or seasons when sunlight is precious, the use of a light box or other light healing devices can produce much-needed replenishment of vitamin D levels for optimal health.
Though its health benefits are widely reported, light healing is generally considered a form of alternative medicine. It is often used in conjunction with other nontraditional healing methods, like light-based acupuncture and color healing. Color healing, for example, is the use of color, often amplified through a special light, to bring about certain moods, states of mind, or levels of consciousness.
Light healing may also be considered a form of laser healing, which employs laser light for therapeutic purposes. The light emitted from a laser can reduce pain, stimulate hair growth, and aid in the faster healing of wounds. It also supports better circulation by stimulating blood flow.
The most common conditions that benefit from light healing are issues relating to the skin, mood, and sleep patterns. Skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema are thought to result from a lack of vitamin D in the skin, and with appropriate exposure to the sun or other forms of ultraviolet light, vitamin D levels can be restored to combat these conditions. It is important to note that overexposure to ultraviolet light can be damaging to the skin, so exposure time should be strictly monitored.
Mood disorders, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can also be aided by light therapy. The light encourages the production of endorphins — the chemicals that induce pleasurable feelings — in the brain. Using a light therapy box in the early morning hours before sunrise has been shown to be very helpful in combating mood issues.
Sleep patterns are greatly affected by light. Utilizing light therapy on a routine basis, at the same time every day, aids the brain in maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. The light relays messages to the brain that help regulate an appropriate sleep cycle.
