Red Light Therapy for Boosting Sports Performance and Reducing Recovery Time

The human body is amazingly complex. With nearly a dozen systems working in symphony with one another, each is vitally important to a persons overall health. The skeletal system is comprised of 206 bones and performs six major functions in the body: support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of minerals, and endocrine regulation.Osteoporosis is a disease that can impact the skeletal system, causing bones to become weak or brittle, putting people at risk for fractures. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. When a person is young, bone is made faster than it is broken down. As people age, this process slows and bone mass is lost faster than its created. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone is unable to keep up with the loss of old bone.At American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care, we know that keeping bones healthy is an important part of helping older adults live independently. To better understand the risk factors, as well as osteoporosis prevention strategies, we share the following helpful information.Who Is at Risk for Osteoporosis?Osteoporosis can affect both women and men, and while it can develop at any age, the risk factors increase as a person ages. In women, the disease may begin to develop a year or two prior to menopause. Although most common in non-Hispanic white and Asian women, osteoporosis can develop in men and in African American and Hispanic individuals of both sexes. Additional risk factors include:Body frame size. Women and men who have small body frames are typically at higher risk as they have less bone mass to draw from as they age.Family history. Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts an individual at greater risk.Thyroid issues. Too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss. This can occur if a persons thyroid is overactive or if too much thyroid hormone medication is taken to treat an underactive thyroid.Sex hormones. Lowered sex hormone levels can be a strong contributing factor for osteoporosis. Decreased estrogen levels following menopause, treatments for prostate cancer that reduce testosterone levels in men, and treatments for breast cancer that reduce estrogen levels in women are likely to accelerate bone loss.Low calcium intake. Long-term lack of calcium in a persons diet plays a role in the development of osteoporosis and can contribute to diminished bone density, early bone loss, and an increased risk of fractures.Steroids and other medications. Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and cortisone, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process. Additionally, medications for gastric reflux, transplant rejection, and seizures can increase bone loss and the risk for osteoporosis.Sedentary lifestyle. People who spend large amounts of time sitting have a higher risk of osteoporosis than individuals who are more active.Tobacco use. While the exact role tobacco plays in osteoporosis is not clear, it has been shown to contribute to weak bones.Chronic heavy drinking. Long-term consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases the risk of osteoporosis.Osteoporosis PreventionWhile a number of osteoporosis risk factors are out of a persons control, lifestyle changes can help maintain bone health.Calcium.Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. This daily amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70. To increase calcium intake, consider including these foods as part of a well-rounded diet:Calcium-fortified cereals and orange juiceLow-fat dairy productsDark green leafy vegetablesCanned salmon or sardines with bonesSoy products, such as tofuIf it is difficult to reach the recommended daily intake of calcium through diet alone, speak with your physician about including an over-the-counter calcium supplement.Vitamin D.Vitamin D helps improve the body's ability to absorb calcium. People can get vitamin D from sunlight; however, the use of sunscreen reduces the amount of vitamin D absorbed this way. It is recommended that people get at least 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day. After a person turns 70 years old, that recommendation increases to 800 IU per day. Vitamin D can be found in:Trout, salmon, tuna and swordfishOrange juice fortified with vitamin DDairy and plant milks fortified with vitamin DEgg yolksFortified cerealsIf you have trouble getting enough vitamin D in your diet, speak with your health care provider to determine the type and amount of vitamin D supplements you should take.Exercise.Exercise helps build strong bones and slow bone loss, and provides benefits no matter when you start. For maximum benefits, combine strength training exercises with weight-bearing and balance exercises.Strength training helps strengthen muscles and bones in the arms and upper spine.Weight-bearing exercises such as walking or jogging strengthen the bones in the legs, hips and lower spine.Balance exercises such as tai chi help to reduce the risk of falling.At American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care, our referred care providers help older adults make healthy lifestyle choices by encouraging regular, physician-approved exercise, healthy eating habits and much more. These care providers can work with each client to offer a variety of in-home care services that enhance independence and safety, while helping to monitor conditions such as osteoporosis and other chronic health conditions.Contact us today at the location nearest you and let us help find the perfect care provider to meet your needs. American In-Home Care  Serving North, Central, and West Coast of FloridaAdvocate In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaWhitsyms In-Home Care  Serving Southeast and Southwest FloridaState of Florida License and Registration Numbers: 30211518, 30211651, 30211295, 30211390, 30210978, 30211293, 30211382, 30211504, 30211733, 30211535, 30211531, 30211710, 30211709, 30211045, 5661

Medically reviewed by Karen Wolters, RN and Joanna Fearnley, LPNThe medical establishment today seems to basically have three ways to treat both acute and chronic pain: drugs, injections, and/or surgery. Currently accepted therapies consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, opiate pain medications and surgery, each of which carries their own specific risk profiles. But this does not have to continue to be the norm for pain treatment. There is a better way to achieve pain relief using an alternative option available to everyone that is non-invasive, painless, non-addictive, fast-acting, highly effective, dependable, totally safe, and risk free and that is Red Light Therapy!Red Light Therapy is a BreakthroughAccording to author Ari Whitten, Red and near-infrared light therapy are one of the biggest breakthrough discoveries in health in the last half century. And Dr. Michael R. Hamblin, a pioneer in the study of light therapy, states, To a very great extent I believe that almost all types and variety of human diseases can be treated with light (of one kind or another).What is Red Light Therapy?Red Light Therapy is non-invasive, painless, and does not add any amount of stress or negative side effects to the body. It is a drug-free way to relieve existing pain.  A good basic definition of Red Light Therapy is, a fast-growing technology used to treat a multitude of conditions that require stimulation of healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function.[4]  Red/Infrared Light utilizes non-coherent light sources consisting of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in specific wavelengths that produce a wide range of beneficial effects on the body, and can even support the bodys repair and regeneration of nerves and tissues. Many patients feel pain relief after just their first session of Red Light Therapy.How Red Light Therapy WorksRed Light Therapy not only effectively relieves pain, but it also stimulates and accelerates the bodys own innate healing processes a very important benefit which drugs and injections simply cannot accomplish. Wherever a Red Light Therapy Pad is placed on the body, photons of light are released which induce cascades of beneficial biochemical processes within the cells, similar to photosynthesis in plants.  Radiation of tissue with light causes an increase in mitochondrial products such as ATP, NADH, protein, and RNA Nitric oxide, the bodys vasodilator, is also released, which increases circulation, so that blood rich with oxygen and nutrients can now flow more freely into nerves, muscles, joints, and other tissues within that local area and accelerate the bodys natural healing processes.Safe and Risk FreeRed Light Therapy has been found to be risk free and can be administered without concern for harmful side effects.  According to Dr. Michael R. Hamblin,  Red Light Therapy has been proven to have an almost complete lack of reported adverse effectsA Typical Therapy SessionSo what is a typical Red Light Therapy session like?  A typical session usually lasts twenty minutes. Depending upon where the light therapy pads are needed for pain relief and healing support, you will either sit or recline.  All you need do is relax and stay comfortable.  You can watch television, read, talk on the phone, listen to music, or meditate during your therapy.  When the pads are in place and the controller is turned on, a gentle heat can be felt. Photons of light will be emitted that penetrate beneath your skin and are absorbed within your cells. Patients have described their Red Light Therapy sessions as comfortable, relaxing, and soothing.  There is no downtime after a treatment session, and this boost of pain relief and beneficial cellular processes continues for several hours or even days after the session.Getting StartedPatients with chronic pain management needs will benefit from purchasing a Red Light Therapy system for home use, which may also benefit the entire family.  And, since Red Light Therapy pads are made of flexible neoprene, this makes each pad very versatile. The same therapy pad can be used to treat issues that affect different areas of the body.HealthLight, a leading American manufacturer of professional, medical-grade FDA-cleared Red Light Therapy devices, makes two lines of Red Light Therapy systems: their Express-At-Home Line of devices for home users which feature convenient small and lightweight attached controllers, and their Clinical Line of Red Light Therapy products for health practitioners that utilize a separate 3 or 6-port controller to power the light therapy pads.HealthLights  Small 90 Diode Pad can make the perfect therapy system for the whole family. The small size of this pad makes it easy to place anywhere on the body.  For health practitioners, a 3-port controller and one to three light therapy pads (for example, HealthLights Large 264 Diode Body Pad along with their Long 180 Diode Pad) will make a world of difference in your clinic for better patient outcomes and for your revenue stream.Try Red Light TherapyNow that you know what Red Light Therapy is, you can depend upon Red Light Therapy to provide fast-acting and effective pain relief.  And HealthLight makes the most durable and most powerful clinical-strength Red Light Therapy devices available today. HealthLight offers a variety of systems to meet the needs of any individual, family, or health clinic.  Purchasing a Red Light Therapy system from HealthLight will provide you and/or your patients with effective pain relief, plus stimulate, accelerate, and support the bodys own innate healing processes the best way to maintain health and wellness, and, hopefully, avoid drugs, injections, and surgery.

Medically reviewed by Karen Wolters, RN and Joanna Fearnley, LPNWhy not own your own Near Infrared Light Therapy system?  That way you and your family can use it to get pain relief whenever and wherever you want in the comfort of your own home while relaxing, reading, studying, watching television, or answering emails or in your hotel room when traveling.Light Therapy is painless, non-invasive, drug-free, has no known side effects, and can be very easily administered.  So whats stopping you from taking advantage of Light Therapys pain management and natural acceleration of your bodys innate healing processes?  Perhaps only one thing knowing how to choose the right Light Therapy system.Choosing the Most Effective Light Therapy SystemIn order to be easy and effective, a system must:Have the correct wavelengths of lightDeliver the right amount of power densityHave adequate area coverage for your needsYour most important priority should be purchasing your system from a reputable manufacturer that is cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  FDA-cleared systems meet important safety standards. Be aware that some Light Therapy systems may be of low quality or non-FDA-cleared.  Also watch out for systems that have inadequate power and energy output, or whose designs will limit their therapy applications.Questions to Ask Before Buying a Red Light Therapy SystemBefore you make a purchase, here are some important questions to ask:Is this Light Therapy system FDA-cleared?Is there a warranty and, if so, how long is the warranty period?Is there a repair center?Is there a way to repair my system after the warranty expires?Is there support if I have any questions in the future?Is this system flexible enough to allow for a variety of therapy applications?All HealthLight devices are cleared by the FDA.  There is a one-year warranty on all Express systems (pads with Express inline controllers) and a two-year warranty on all Clinical systems (3 and 6-port controller systems).  Any needed repairs after the warranty period can be made at our manufacturing facility in Illinois for a reasonable flat rate fee per item.  The turnaround time for repairs is only 3 to 5 business days (not counting the devices travel time to and from the repair facility), so you will not have to wait long for your Light Therapy system to return to you.Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy PadsA general rule is that to be most effective, the pad(s) in your system should cover the entire body area where pain relief and increased circulation are needed. For example, a large pad would be best if you need Light Therapy over your back, knee, or shoulder.  A long thin pad can be wrapped around a joint, hand, or wrist.  A medium-sized rectangular pad might be sufficient if you require therapy on your lower back. A small, square pad would be adequate for applying Light Therapy at the back of your neck, or over your wrist, your TMJ area, or other smaller, localized area.  And if you are one of millions who suffer from foot and leg pain, pads in a boot-like shape would be your best pick to cover the calf and foot at one time.Be sure to choose pads that are not only comfortable but also flexible, for pad flexibility allows versatility being able to use one pad for therapy on many parts of the body.  In the HealthLight catalog, the Large 264 Pad offers flexibility, versatility, and large area coverage. For therapy on bigger areas such as the back, spine, shoulder, or hip, the Large 264 Pad is an excellent choice.  And it can also be wrapped around a knee, ankle, or wrist. HealthLights Long 180 Pad is extremely well suited for use on hands and feet, as it can be folded over for either a mitt or slipper-like effect, sending Near-Infrared light to both sides of the hand or foot at once.  HealthLights Foot and Ankle 122 Pad is excellent for increasing circulation and bringing relief to those with various types of leg and foot pain.HealthLight Express Controller Systems Perfect for Home UseA Light Therapy system usually has two types of components: a pad containing near infrared/red emitting diodes, and a separate electronic controller that powers the pad(s).  But HealthLights Express Controller Systems offer in-line controllers, which are controllers that are attached to the the power supply for the pads. Since the controller is attached, it will not be lost or forgotten. HealthLights very affordable Express Controller Systems are user-friendly, with one-touch operation that runs a twenty-minute program and then alerts you to the automatic shut-off by a beep. HealthLight offers their Express Controllers with both one-pad and two-pad configurations, as one controller is able to operate two pads at once. The new Express In-Line Controller Systems Long 180 & Large 264 Combo Pad Multi-Use System can handle almost any therapy need.Selecting a System with a Separate ControllerIf you do desire to have more comprehensive therapy sessions utilizing three or more pads simultaneously, you might consider investing in a system that has a separate controller that can power more pads at one time. Controllers usually have two  to six ports, with each port operating a single pad. Just make sure you determine exactly how many pads you want to use simultaneously and purchase a controller with enough ports. HealthLight offers 3 and 6-port controller systems that pair with their Clinical Therapy Pads. HealthLights Clinical Therapy Pads all come with a two-year warranty.Make the Purchase for You and Your FamilyBringing a Light Therapy system into your home will be a big boost to the health and well being of your entire family.  Having Light Therapy immediately available will bring years of effective relief from pain and poor circulation. HealthLight offers a wide range of in-home systems for your needs and pocketbook.