Unlocking Optimal Health: Simple Steps and Smart Choices (Part 4)
By Linda Edwards, RN, MSN, Owner, ResilientMe, Inc.
Concluding this four-part series is a discussion about photobiomodulation and pulsed electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) devices. Both are advanced devices used to optimize well being or to target a specific health challenge. There are both consumer and professional models. Referred to as “biohacking”, these practices often go beyond standard wellness routines in order to achieve optimal outcomes. As stated earlier, it is best to start with the fundamental habits and then “stack” more advanced strategies. Photobiomodulation and PEMF devices are more costly. Consider risk vs. reward and cost when making purchasing decisions.
The field of photobiomodulation is exploding for consumer devices. Just several years ago, few beyond the world of professional athletes and biohackers seeking optimal performance were aware of using light to combat pain, recover from exercise, reduce inflammation and more. The term photobiomodulation can be defined by the subparts of the word. Photo refers to light, bio refers to biology, and modulation, ties it all together: modulating biology with light. Olympic athletes who trained at Nike’s track and field facility used red and infrared light beds to prime their muscles before events and recover afterwards. When they traveled to the Rio Olympics in Brazil, they noticed a difference in performance without the light beds. In response, Nike flew the beds to the Olympic venue and many of their athletes earned medals.
You might be wondering if you are not a high-performance athlete, what’s in it for me? According to red light therapy expert Ari Whitten, potential benefits include: increasing energy, skin improvement, speeding up fat loss, improving mood and cognitive function, increasing muscle size and strength, speeding healing from injury and improving metabolic and hormonal health. The early trend in professional devices was light panels and light beds. The future includes not just panels, but wearables where light can be directed at joints, blood circulation at the wrist, and devices worn on the head to enhance brain function and support hair growth.
To learn more about, or before considering purchasing one of these devices, it is helpful to read this comprehensive guide with an extensive bibliography. As a photobiomodulation enthusiast, the devices that I use personally, and in my clinical practice include various light panels, Weber laser watch, dental mouthpiece for gum health and a hand-held device for facial skin.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequencies, or PEMF is another biohacking device that has been made popular by both human and equine athletes to speed healing and reduce pain. PEMF is a device that delivers targeted energy pulses using natural magnetic waves. The device is usually in the form of a mat. On the mat, users can practice yoga, meditate or simply relax. For horses, the mats or PEMF coils are draped over the body or placed on the affected body part.
The PEMF mats can have various settings including delta waves, which help with relaxation and sleep, beta waves that boost energy and enhance focus, alpha waves for calm and creativity, Schuman frequencies which are the earth’s grounding waves and negative ions. Some also have red and infrared lights embedded as well as crystals that have certain health enhancing properties. For further reading and scientifically validated applications, there are more than 400 published clinical studies on PEMF at the government website pubmed.org
PEMF and photobiomodulation devices are becoming more popular in fitness centers and specialty wellness centers, so it is not always necessary to purchase the items for home use. Like most technology, the products will only become more refined and accessible over time, enabling more to experience the benefits.
Note: As I am finishing this article, the Novocain from this morning’s dental procedure is wearing off. I feel pain and throbbing around the tooth that was worked on. Instead of grabbing an over-the-counter pain reliever, I reached for my light panel and curcumin, a botanical agent that is activated by photobiomodulation. A twelve minute session reduced the pain by about 75%. I will follow up with an additional session tonight. Self- care biohacking is fantastic when you can see such positive results so quickly!
Linda Edwards, RN, MSN is the owner of ResilientMe, Inc. in Little Silver, NJ. She has extensive experience in finding solutions to health and wellness challenges from all sources, especially safe and effective products, services and technologies. Linda’s philosophy is simple: she is only interested in things that work.
ResilientMe, Inc offers Microcurrent Neurofeedback services which help optimize brain performance for people who have suffered concussions, endure high levels of stress, athletic and professional performance demands, and experience difficulty with memory, concentration and focus. Linda’s experience includes not only clinical practice but also managing Human Capital Health Management programs for Fortune 100 companies. www.Resilient-Me.com
