ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the use of light therapy to heal and to promote optimal health and includes light treatments that act primarily through the body and light that passes through the retina. It discusses the therapeutic devices that use pulse electromagnetic field without light provide similar therapeutic benefits. Light therapy refers to treatments that involve using the sun or artificial forms of light consisting of one or more colors at specific wavelengths of the visible spectrum and extending to near infrared and near ultraviolet radiation. Phototherapy is applied via two main pathways: directly on the body and skin for an action on cellular metabolism, and through the eyes for an action on the visual system. Light can be modulated or pulsed and some believe this makes the light therapy even more effective. Photobiomodulation devices are known to improve circulation and to reduce pain.
