What Is Chromotherapy: Color Light Therapy Benefits
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At SalusHEAT, our infrared sauna delivers number benefits for recovery. It also has the added bonus of providing chromotherapy. Chromotherapy employs the visible part of the light spectrum to penetrate the skin for renewal and regeneration. There is a lot of misinformation about chromotherapy so we thought we would address some of the more common questions people have about chromotherapy.
What is Chromotherapy?
Chromotherapy (“light therapy”) is the application of visible light, the color spectrum, to aid in the purpose of tissue regeneration and healing. Light is electromagnetic radiation (energy emitted as particles or waves) and each color of the spectrum has a unique wavelength that has a different impact on our bodies.
"Modern chromotherapy is defined as the practice of applying light in the form of color to the body in order to balance "energy" that may be lacking. It is based on the belief that each of the colors possess a frequency of a specific vibration, and each vibration is related to a different physical quality. An imbalance in the energy systems of the body, whether it be on the physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental level, may therefore manifest as an illness or ailment. It is through the application of colors are that the energies are brought back into balance so that health and harmony can be restored.” (1)
Is Chromotherapy “new age” pseudoscience?
Chromotherapy has, in fact, been used for centuries and studied using modern scientific methods since in the 20th century. “Chromotherapy” is sometimes used interchangeably with both “light therapy” and “color therapy”, causing much confusion about the scientific validity of “chromotherapy”. [Note that “color therapy” is a term typically used to describe the design of spaces, such as hospitals and schools. It is not the same as “light therapy”.]
The use of blue light therapy on babies with jaundice dates back to the 1950s and is still used today. The blue light works to break down an excess of bilirubin so it can be easily eliminated through an infant’s immature liver.
Doctors started using light therapy (white and blue light) to treat patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) back in the 1980’s.
Light therapy was used for a variety of skin conditions dating back to the early 1900s.
Currently the FDA has already approved light therapy for the treatment of:
- acne
- anti-aging (collagen production & wrinkle reduction)
- hair loss prevention & hair regrowth
- pain relief
- fat loss
- stem cell production
Areas of current research and clinical trials also include treatment of:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Spinal cord injuries & nerve regeneration
How Do the Various Colors Affect Our Bodies?
Red light: Activates and improves circulatory and nervous systems. Aids in the production of red blood cells and collagen cells. Helps to burn fat.
Orange light: Enhances overall mood. Aids in stomach and digestion issues, as well as asthma and bronchitis.
Yellow light: Works on internal tissues. Reactivates and purifies skin.
Green light: Calming, relaxing. Is used in conjunction with blue lights for SAD sufferers.
Blue light: Stimulates muscles and skin cells. Addresses infections. Used to treat liver conditions and break down bilirubin.
Purple light: Relaxes nerves and lymphatic systems. Addresses inflammation and urinary illnesses. Helps with eye inflammation, glaucoma and eye fatigue.
You can find an in-depth discussion about the history of chromotherapy along with an analysis of the modern scientific research on the topic at the National Institute of Health website: “A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution”.
(1) Nikolovska, S. “Shedding Light on Chromotherapy”, Aug. 2018. https://www.therecenteredmovement.com/blog/2018/8/8/shedding-light-on-chromotherapy
