Everyone experiences pain at some point in their life. Yet some people experience chronic pain, a long-lasting, complicated type of pain that can be absolutely debilitating. People suffer from chronic pain from a variety of reasons, such as nervous system disorders, fibromyalgia, major injuries and arthritis. While pain medications can decrease some of this pain, pain medications can make a person feel drowsy, dizzy and even nauseous, so some people turn to alternative treatments to deal with pain. Light therapy, also called phototherapy, uses a healing lamp to stimulate healing and pain relief.
Step 1
Meet with a doctor or other health practitioner. Since everyone's is different, light therapy may or may not be right with you. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks as well as health risks with your doctor before actually trying the treatment. For example, the Mayo Clinic states that light therapy can cause side effects such as headaches, vomiting and irritability. These side effects may be too much to deal with, or they may be minimal in comparison to the pain you are already dealing with. Your doctor can also refer you to a clinic or hospital where you can get light therapy with a healing lamp.
Step 2
Get phototherapy, or heat lamp light treatments done as close as possible to the location which causes you the most pain. The American Academy of Pain Management states that phototherapy stimulates blood flow, decreases inflammation and minimizes pain. This treatment has been found effective for problems like whiplash, plantar fasciitis and fibromyalgia.
Step 3
Start small and gradually increase the intensity and duration of phototherapy treatments. For example, start with a low-intensity light therapy treatment, such as only 2,500 lux, and then over a period of several months work your way up to 10,000 lux. The Mayo Clinic states that an intensity of 10,000 lux is the typical dose for light therapy treatments. Start getting light therapy from a healing lamp for 15 minutes every day or every few days, and work your way up to a half an hour a day.
Step 4
Be consistent in getting regular treatments, yet don't rely on only using a light therapy healing lamp in order to get pain relief. The Mayo Clinic states that using light therapy in combination with other treatments is most effective. Try other alternative therapies such as acupuncture or massage, or you may need take pain medications, though at a lower dose while using a healing lamp.
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