Light Therapy
Light therapy is the medical technique used to cure a variety of different ailments through the extended exposure either light or heat. It is available under recommendation on the NHS, or privately with a number of independent practices.
The reasons for light therapy can be varied, ranging from the aim to cure serious debilitating conditions, to simply trying to achieve a quick pick me up when you are feeling low. In the majority of cases it is used as a technique to alleviate one of the to following conditions.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression commonly found in many people in the UK. This country's typical northern European climate means we rarely get to see the sun, sparsely coming out in the months between May and September. You might be wondering what this has to do depression. Well, in our bodies is a natural hormone called serotonin, which reacts positively when in contact with sunlight. This uplifts us is in a similar way that endorphins do after exercise. Without sunlight in the winter months, we don't receive that natural lift that we have become accustomed to, causing a depressive feeling. Light therapy is used to replicate this emotion, reducing the impact of SAD.
It is also used to try and combat the advanced effects of adult acne. The theory goes that increase exposure to light kills bacteria, paving the way for new skin cells to materialise. It has also been trialled in the treatment of debilitating diseases such as Parkinson, in which it is reputed to minimise tremors.