Shining a light on Photobiomodulation (PBM)

In other countries PBM is integrated more often as an integrative therapeutic modality to assist the healing process and promoting overall ‘wellness’ with a wide range of applications, especially helping humans and all animal species, whether in professional practice, general care and at home to improve clinical outcomes. 

Since Photizo Vetcare’s launch in 2013, its success has been proved by a raft of animal health professionals. The clinical successes across musculoskeletal conditions, atopic issues, wound healing and in reducing pain and anxiety is not only scientifically documented, but repeatedly observed by real-life cases. The same results are being observed with the models for human application which were awarded Medical CE in 2020.  

Whatever arguments in the plethora of documented science or even manufacturers’ claims about the 'best protocol' or 'best wavelength' or 'best pulsed frequency' or 'best power output', the reality is there is a wide window of effective PBM dosing that will, far more often than not, result in positive biological effects via cellular messengers.  

PBM is simply a way of delivering energy (using photons) into the body to facilitate and often accelerate the natural healing processes...one of the key mechanisms is to fire up the production of ATP in the mitochondria where cell respiration takes place.  

Sadly, some of the ‘scepticism’ surrounding PBM is oftentimes heightened by the on-going debate between the efficacity of ‘laser’ over LED (Light Emitting Diode) sourced red/near-infrared light. The ideal scenario is for the integration of both for the best clinical outcomes. The conversation is not about banishing laser for LED, it’s about doing what’s best for the individual patient! 

However, the likes of a professional therapeutic laser (class 3b or 4) are costly and can be prohibitive for many independent practitioners and pet owners. All laser light poses risk to eyes1, protective eyewear is crucial, and works intensely at one given area using a coherent pinpoint beam of light.  

Contrast this to the latest technology of high-power LED PBM, safe for eyes and offers ‘effective’ doses of ‘red/near-infrared’ light. LED has a spread-out beam of light with greater application potential (local & compensatory), not least for use at home in-between professional treatment sessions. Plus, apart from such devices being lightweight, portable and easy to operate, they’re more affordable both for in-practice and home use.  

One clear message from documented studies is PBM works accumulatively. For best results, it should really be deployed ‘little and often’. This is why the Photizo concept was born, to be the ideal solution and enable ‘top-up’s’ in-between less frequent professional laser therapy sessions.