light therapy


The use of certain segments—in particular, the visible range—of the electromagnetic spectrum as a therapeutic modality. Light therapy may act via the hypothalamus, which releases neurotransmitters and releasing factors, after receiving impulses from retina
Formats Full spectrum light—e.g., sunlight, bright light—2 to 10,000 lux, UV light, coloured light, haemoirradiation
Fringe medicine No peer-reviewed data support claims that light therapy is effective in treating AIDS, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, arthalgia, asthma, bulimia, cancer, depression, drug abuse, dysmenorrhea, fatigue, hair loss, headaches, high cholesterol, hostility, immune dysfunction, infections, insomnia, strokes, tooth decay, or other conditions
Mainstream medicine Intense light therapy may be effective for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and shiftwork-related sleep disorders

light therapy

1. The use of certain segments–in particular, the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum as a therapeutic modality; LT may to act via the hypothalamus, which releases neurotransmitters and releasing factors, after receiving impulses from retina Formats Full spectrum light–eg, sunlight, bright light–2 to 10,000 lux, UV light, colored light, hemoirradiation Mainstream medicine LT may be effective in seasonal affective disorder–SAD, and shiftwork-related sleep disorders. See Bright light therapy.2. Bright light therapy, see there.3. Heliotherapy, see there.

light ther·a·py

(līt thār'ă-pē) The therapeutic use of ultraviolet, colored, and laser lights to reestablish diurnal rhythms and alleviate pain and depression.