How Does PBM Therapy Work?

One of the main scientifically proven effects of PBM Therapy is on Mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are found in all our cells from head to toe. There are literally hundreds of different cell types in the human body, each performing different tasks or functions and they all contain lots and lots of the same Mitochondria.

Mitochondria are the ‘power stations’ of the cells and are responsible for almost all of the energy production. Energy is needed by the cell’s nucleus in order that it can carry out its DNA-programmed tasks. So Mitochondria essentially control cellular processes, stem cell production, inflammation, growth and repair mechanisms, cell survival, apoptosis (cell death) and are consequently implicated, if they are not working properly, in many conditions and diseases.

Mitochondria in stressed or ischaemic tissues (low oxygen levels) produce too much Mitochondrial Nitric Oxide (mtNO) which attaches to a molecule called Cytochrome C Oxidase (COX for short). This in turn blocks another molecule called ATP Synthase from producing ATP. ATP is the fuel for biological processes needed for life – growth, repair and cell specific functions – but as it depletes the cells all slow down and eventually stop. You can think of this effect causing the cell to go into a state of reduced function or hibernation/dormancy. When a cell is ‘hibernating’ it is being prevented from doing the job it is programmed to do.

This cell hibernation is bad enough but unfortunately there is a ‘double whammy’. When ATP levels are depleted or low, this results in an increase in the production of free radicals called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Think of a ‘seesaw’ action: ATP goes down and ROS goes up. ROS are responsible for the production of inflammation chemicals/markers including prostaglandin E2, interleukin 1β and tumour necrosis factor α that lead to/cause pain, inflammation, swelling and oedema. If left long enough these ‘harsh conditions‘ can lead to the premature death of the cell/tissue. Scientists made the amazing discovery that certain wavelengths of red and near infra red light, released mtNO from the Mitiochondria, switching energy production back on and via the see-saw action, reducing the harmful ROS and cascade of metabolic effects leads to a reduction in inflammatory markers including Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),Interleukin 1β ( IL-1β) and Tumour Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) .

Science has brought this discovery to the point where we are now able to utilise the benefits on the whole body. Our NovoTHOR® Whole body PBM Therapy light bed pod and specific body part THOR LX2 uses scientifically proven specific wavelengths of red and near infra red light to make the Cytochrome C Oxidase release its Nitric Oxide. ATP synthase can start to make more ATP. This ATP energy is then available again for all biological processes needed for life – growth, repair and cell specific functions. By turning on this ATP production a simultaneous reduction in ROS levels occurs by the same see saw action thereby treating the cause of pain, inflammation, swelling and oedema.

Within hours (and sometimes minutes) following PBM Therapy, increases in cellular activity have been shown in vitro and in vivo (laboratory and humans) in Neutrophils, Macrophages, Fibroblasts, Mast cells, Endothelial cells and Keratinocytes.  Reduced inflammatory markers including prostaglandin E2, interleukin 1ß and TNFα have also been seen in many studies.  PBM Therapy, science fact, not science fiction.

Research has shown:-

1. Pain killing effects (analgesia) and reduction in muscle spasm can occur within 1 minute
2. Reduction in inflammation and swelling (oedema) starts after 1 hr
3. Repair processes initiated by the cell nucleus start to ramp up after about 24 hrs.

In summary

So the application of very specific red and near infrared wavelengths of light in PBM Therapy in our NovoTHOR light bed or specific body part THOR LX2 results in:

1. Increased ATP energy production which results in more cell growth, repair and improved cell specific functions.
2. Less free radicals leads to:-

• Pain removal
• Inflammation removal
• Swelling and oedema removal

3. Collectively, this means less cell/tissue death.

As every cell type in the human body from head to toe all have the same Mitochondria with Cytochrome C Oxidase, the seesaw relationship between energy depletion and inflammation production explains why so many conditions all over the body have been found to benefit for PBM Therapy.

To read more in depth about the current research on how PBM Therapy works read:

• Our PBM Research Blog and use the search box
• Alternatively read the research articles summarised in this comprehensive data base edited by Vladimir Heiskanen. Don’t forget to click the tabs at the bottom on the google sheet to reveal more facts and data
• Abstracts and full articles published in journals in the open source world wide data base at Pubmed