The Chromotherapy Is an alternative therapy that applies light of different colors (different wavelengths) in patients with certain conditions, to relieve their symptoms.
Today there are several techniques related to chromotherapy, such as the application of LED lights, chromo-puncture and photodynamic therapy, among others, with scientifically proven results.
History of chromotherapy
Chromotherapy finds its origins in the ancient cultures of China, Greece and Egypt, approximately 4000 years BC.
Although the Egyptian physicians apparently pioneered the use of color for curative purposes, the Greeks were in fact the first to Document both their theories and their practices of chromotherapy.
In Heliopolis , City of Ancient Egypt, there were many temples dedicated to healings, in which sunlight was pouring in its different Spectra, each color being used for a specific medical problem.
Paracelsus , Physician of the Renaissance period, thought that light and colors played a very important role in human health and applied certain Chromotherapy techniques for the treatment of various diseases.
Modern science recognizes the value of light applied to health and many believe it is the medicine of the future. Albert Szent-Györgyi , Discoverer of Vitamin C and Nobel Prize winner, has recognized how deeply we are affected by light and color.
Later, in 1876, Dr August Pleasenton discovered the effects of colors on plants, animals, and humans. One year later, Dr. Edwin Babbitt Wrote a complete theory on the healing power of colors.
But what we now know as chromotherapy is due in large part to the work of Dr. Ghadiali, a medical researcher, chemist and physicist, who created a Encyclopedia of three volumes published in the year 1933, called"Encyclopedia of Spectrum-Chrome-Metria".
In that publication, this physician describes how colors are capable of curing illnesses, describing treatment for 316 different conditions.
The scientific and medical aspects of chromotherapy were explained in 1940 by Dr. Krakov, a Russian physician who theoretically established the effects Of the different colors on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, theories that enabled a rapid development of the Photobiology Y Chronobiology .
In 1958, Dr. Gerard discovered the psychotropic (psychoactive) effects of colors on State of mind And human behavior.
In 1970, POT Studied the effects of LED lights and gave rise to photodynamic therapy, which today has many Applications that we will see later.
But for you to get an idea, red LED lights are able to reduce pain in patients with breast cancer who have been subjected to radiotherapy.
Fundamentals of Chromotherapy
The fundamental mechanism of the action of light and its electromagnetic fields on the various human physiological processes is based on the fact that Different frequencies that produce the colors can influence different molecules that are present in all the cells of the organism.
For example, DNA, RNA, different proteins (such as keratin, elastin and collagen), porphyrins and other molecules absorb energy from light Of color and then release it, thus activating different mechanisms, such as DNA replication, enzyme activation, etc.
For you to think about how powerful this effect is, look at the following:
Studies have shown that the application of light of different colors (within the visible spectrum) is capable of influencing the secretion of hormones And neurotransmitters, regulated by the Hypothalamus .
Does this sound a bit strange to you?
Think about this:
The effects of certain electromagnetic waves on the human body are already known, for example, infrared light, microwaves, rays Ultraviolet rays, X-rays and Gamma rays.
It is therefore not surprising that the electromagnetic waves of visible light (in their different wavelengths, that is, in their different colors), Can have an effect on different functions of our organism.
Chromotherapy application techniques
As you have already read in the above lines, there are several techniques that apply the principles of chromotherapy to relieve the symptoms of different diseases.
These are some examples.
Chrome-puncture
Chromo-puncture is a technique that is based on principles similar to those of acupuncture. It involves stimulating certain energetic points in the body, Only that instead of needles, a ray of light of a certain color, generated by a specialized equipment, is used.
In a study carried out by Cuban doctors in 2003, 100 patients with asthma problems, allergies, skin alterations, Other diseases, and they were applied cromoterapia with a special equipment called Cromoter.
This equipment is capable of generating light rays in green, yellow, red, and also near infrared.
Before starting treatment, patients were assessed according to the diagnostic criteria of traditional Asian medicine, to determine what Points needed to be stimulated.
Then, 15 sessions of daily treatment were performed with Cromoter. The equipment was placed in direct contact with the skin, at the appropriate points, to Avoid losing light energy.
At the end of this first cycle of treatment, 87% of the patients showed reduction or elimination of the initial signs and symptoms.
Undoubtedly these are very encouraging results, although it should be noted that this study lacks a control group and therefore, it has less validity since The strictly scientific point of view.
Photodynamic Therapy
This technique was developed over the last two decades, and is based on the fact that certain photosensitive chemicals are able to identify Cancer cells and annihilate them.
These substances are injected into the patient's bloodstream, which is then exposed to ultraviolet or infrared light, as needed. From this In this way, photosensitive chemicals are transformed and destroyed by altered cells.
Thomas Dougherty, creator of photodynamic therapy, conducted an experimental study with 3000 patients who had various types of cancer, Obtaining very positive results.
So that you have a concrete example:
Photodynamic therapy is an effective treatment for certain Skin cancers , Such as superficial basal cell carcinoma, and is also useful for Elimination of precancerous lesions.
To begin treatment, a cream containing methyl-aminolevulinate (a photo-sensitizing agent) is applied to the skin. The lesion is covered with a Dressing and waiting 3 hours.
The dressing is then removed and the region is illuminated with a lamp emitting a special light at a given wavelength. This light activates the Porphyrins found within the cells, releasing a series of free radicals and initiating the removal of the lesion to be treated.
Photodynamic therapy can also be very useful in fighting infections. The light beam acts on an applied photosensitive substance Previously and in the presence of oxygen, cytotoxic molecules are formed that eliminate the bacteria present in a wound, for example.
Photodynamic therapy has a great advantage: it is doubly selective. The photosensitive agent is specific for a particular tissue or group of Cells and in addition, the light can be specifically targeted to the area in which the infection is present.
There have already been some experiments on animals, with very good results, and scientists believe that this technique is really very promising, And can even fight bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics.
LED Therapy
The application of LED light of different colors is also a chromotherapy technique with scientifically proven results for the treatment of Certain conditions.
The use of near infrared or red light spectra for the treatment of certain skin lesions and for rejuvenating the tissues of the dermis and Epidermis is a good example of this.
In one study, 30 people were treated with wrinkles on their face, who underwent nine sessions of treatment with light between 633 and 830 nanometer wavelength (red and near infrared), using a computer called Omnilux LED.
After 9 to 12 weeks of treatment, the presence of wrinkles in the skin of these people was evaluated. It was found that in 81% of the cases there were improvements Significant, especially in the wrinkles present on the skin around the eyes.
In conclusion, the combination of red and near-infrared light is an effective method for photo-rejuvenation of the skin.
Another study also demonstrated the utility of this technique in the acceleration of the healing process in patients who had undergone Blepharoplasty and laser surgery on the tissues around your eyes.
LLLT-LED
The LLLT technique applies a low intensity laser light with the aim of modulating or stimulating the function of certain tissues.
This technique was described by Ohshiro and Calderhead in 1988, already mentioning its possible effects of photo-bio-modulation or photo-activation, referring to The changes that these lights with able to provoke in the cellular activity, at the molecular level.
Until the 1990s phototherapy was dominated by lasers; Although LED lights already existed, it was not possible to generate LED lights at a wavelength (Color) constantly, so that it had a good clinical effect.
Everything changed in 1998, when NASA researchers developed stable and powerful LED light sources.
Today, treatments combining LLLT and LED lights at the wavelengths of 633 and 830 nanometers have multiple applications, Control of pain of any etiology.
For example, treatment with LEDs at 830 nanometers (near infrared) is able to reduce acute and chronic pain in professional athletes.
It has also demonstrated its usefulness in the control of pain in cases of post-herpetic neuralgia and in the treatment of various dermatological conditions, Such as contact dermatitis and Atopic rosacea , among other.
On the other hand, LEDs in blue spectra have an antibacterial effect that can be used to combat the acne .
The blue light applied to the surface of the affected skin causes the release of free radicals that kill the acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, Without damaging healthy skin.
Effect of color on human behavior
Research carried out in this area has shown that the colors of the environment can also influence the mood and Behavior of humans.
For example, pink is known to have a soothing, calming effect, capable of suppressing aggressive and hostile attitudes even in people Criminals deprived of their liberty.
Apparently, if the environment surrounding a person most of the time is pink, hostile attitudes tend to disappear.
On the contrary, the presence of the yellow color seems to have the opposite effect. The presence of this color in the street lights has been related With a greater occurrence of violent crimes.
According to what has been observed, the warm colors are stimulating in people with depression or neurasthenia. On the other hand, cold colors They would have the opposite ability.
Anxious people calm themselves, at least from the psychological point of view, when they are in environments with these colors.
Physiologically, all colors have tangible effects. Warm tones increase respiratory rate, flicker frequency, and Conductance in the palm of the hand (due to the effect on The autonomic nervous system ).
Cold colors lower blood pressure, relieve tension, muscle spasms, and reduce blink frequency.
As you can see, colors can really influence our lives.
Therefore, chromotherapy may be a very useful treatment in various conditions, although further research is needed.
References
- Hrcak.srce.hr/file/55497.