Green light therapy is a new and emerging therapy that has shown great potential in treating fibromyalgia and migraine and Chronic pain in general.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterised by widespread pain and tenderness in muscles, joints, and other soft tissues.
Migraine, on the other hand, is a type of headache that causes moderate to severe pain, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensory aura and sensitivity to light and sound. Both conditions can be debilitating and greatly affect the quality of life of those who suffer from them.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the benefits of green light therapy for fibromyalgia and migraine. We will explore the science behind the therapy, the devices and products used, and how it works. We will also discuss the latest data and information on the topic, including some top choices of green light therapy devices for fibromyalgia and migraine relief, and answer some frequently asked questions about the therapy.
What is Green Light Therapy?
Green light therapy is a type of phototherapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular energy production, promote healing, and reduce inflammation. Green light falls in the middle of the visible light spectrum, with a wavelength ranging between 490nm – 570nm.
How Does Green Light Therapy Help with Fibromyalgia and Migraine?
Green light therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and inflammation, two key factors in fibromyalgia and migraine.
Green light therapy works by penetrating the skin and reaching the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. The light energy is converted into cellular energy, which triggers a series of reactions that promote healing and reduce inflammation. The therapy has been shown to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and promote tissue regeneration.
Importantly too, the green light is drawn in via our eyes where photosensitive ganglion cells are contained and those same cells also contain melanopsin. Melanopsin retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs). It is the green light’s ability to trigger melanopsin, a light-sensitive neurotransmitter present in the eye that’s responsible for regulating pupil dilation and contraction.
Melanopsin also interacts with the periaqueductal gray matter, a structure in the upper brainstem that plays a role in processing pain. Some Medical professors and Doctors currently speculate that melanopsin may activate an inhibitory pathway that doesn’t process pain, but rather, shuts it down.
There are neural pathways that start from the eyes and can be traced back to several brain regions, some of these regions are heavily involved in pain modulation according to Dr. Mohab Ibrahim, professor of anesthesiology, neurosurgery, and pharmacology who also works as medical director of the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center at the Banner-University Medical Center in the USA.
In fibromyalgia, the therapy works by reducing the sensitivity of pain receptors and decreasing the levels of inflammation in the body. In migraine, the therapy works by reducing the dilation of blood vessels in the brain and decreasing the levels of inflammation that can trigger a migraine attack.
Green light therapy can also help improve sleep quality, which is often disturbed in fibromyalgia and migraine patients. The therapy has been shown to increase the levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, and improve circadian rhythm.
In a study presented Oct. 23, 2022 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in New Orleans, Dr. Padma Gulur, vice chair of the department of anesthesiology at Duke University, reported on an experiment she conducted in which 34 fibromyalgia patients were assigned to wear tinted glasses of different shades, four hours per day for two weeks. Ten of the patients wore glasses with blue lenses, 12 wore clear ones, and another 12 wore green. At the end of the study period, the people who wore green glasses were four times likelier than those in either of the other two groups to report that their anxiety over their pain had declined, as had their reliance on opioids.
Top Green Light Therapy Products for Fibromyalgia and Migraine Relief
- LEREDD – Migraine Relief Globe Series
- LEREDD – 7 SERIES LED Mask (on the green setting)
- Certified Glasses in the Green Light spectrum
FAQs about Green Light Therapy for Fibromyalgia and Migraine
Q: Is green light therapy safe for fibromyalgia and migraine patients?
A: Yes, green light therapy is safe, non-invasive and has no known side effects.
Q: How often should I use green light therapy for fibromyalgia and migraine relief?
A: The frequency of therapy depends on the severity of your symptoms and the device/product used. For example: wearing certified green glasses every day will only improve your results. Adherence and consistent use is most important for best outcomes. It is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
Q: Can green light therapy cure fibromyalgia and migraine?
A: There is no known cure for fibromyalgia and migraine, but green light can certainly assist in the reduction and frequency of associated pain that sufferers are only too familiar with.
Q: What about wearing green glasses, can that help to reduce pain?
A: Glasses that have you receiving green light in the required sweetspot ranges are deemed beneficial for pain reduction.
