Though light sensitivity is often a migraine symptom, light therapy is an emerging treatment option for those with migraine and chronic pain.
Research shows light exposure to be a safe, effective treatment that reduces the frequency, severity, and symptoms of migraine attacks. It comes with a very low risk of side effects and no risk of addiction. Additionally, light therapy may also improve the quality of sleep and reduce anxiety.
Green Light Therapy
People with migraine may find using green light therapy can reduce the severity and frequency of their attacks. Either by using green lights or wearing green-tinted glasses, this therapy can be very calming to the brain.
Many green light products are on the market, but it’s important to research them before purchasing as there is no guarantee that they use the right color wavelength. Some of the untested products include more than just the green light wavelength, so check products out before you purchase! That said, people with migraine often recommend the following products and find them to be helpful during an attack:
- The Allay Lamp
- NorbRelief Lightbulbs
- Avulux Lens Greenlight Glasses
Syntonic Light Therapy
In a recent blog, I wrote about my family’s experience with vision therapy for the treatment of chronic migraine. Part of that therapy also includes something called syntonic phototherapy. This unique light therapy treatment uses specific colors of light, frequencies, and lengths to improve the body’s regulatory centers of the brain.
This type of light therapy has shown to be highly effective in helping to balance the nervous system, thereby improving vision problems and focusing difficulties, and providing effective treatment for stress, trauma, brain injuries and chronic headaches.
As I mentioned in this blog, my daughter experienced a concussion that lead to a diagnosis of chronic migraine. Her concussion specialist sent us to a neuro-optometrist who recommended she try syntonic light therapy. Since I am a long-time migraine sufferer myself, I opted to try the therapy as well. We both had great results and would highly recommend talking with your doctor about giving it a try.
How Does Syntonic Light Therapy Work?
The treatment was simple and non-invasive. Our doctor, a neuro-optometrist certified in syntonics, ran some testing that determined which light colors and wavelengths would be most effective for us based on our individualized set of symptoms. Then, we sat in a completely dark room and stared into a lamp with those specific colored filters. The treatment was done in-office twice a week for about 20 minutes each visit. It was a very calming and pleasant experience, and we both always left feeling like our heads felt “lighter.” A couple of times the treatment even stopped an in-progress migraine attack.
Once a month our doctor performed a test called a color field, which she used to determine if the treatment was on the right path. Combined with vision therapy and prism glasses (and all of our regular migraine treatment tools), our migraine attacks became less severe and less frequent, and my daughter’s persistent daily headache stopped.
Some other benefits of syntonic light therapy include:
- Decreased eye strain
- Sleep and digestion improvement
- Improved energy levels
- Improved relaxation and sleep
- Improvement in focusing and visual attention
If you are interested in learning more about syntonic phototherapy, you can search for a certified provider here.
Let Us Know!
Is light therapy part of your treatment toolbox? Would you ever consider trying a more formal light therapy regime like syntonics?
The above information is educational and should not be considered medical advice; please consult with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your migraine treatment plan.