Your Brain on Red Light Therapy - A Closer Look at photobiomodulation for concussions and TBI

Red Light Therapy For Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are the result of common mishaps such as car accidents, sporting collisions, falls and other events. Determining the scope of head injuries can be challenging; – what seems like a harmless bump on the head could potentially have more serious consequences. Regardless of your circumstance, if you or a loved one has experienced the misfortune of such an injury, it is crucial to grasp the true nature of concussions and from there discuss how photobiomodulation aka red light therapy can play a role in helping the healing process. 

Concussions and TBI Defined

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are serious medical conditions that can result from a blow or jolt to the head. A concussion is a type of mild TBI that occurs when the brain gets shaken or twisted inside the skull. This sudden movement causes damage to the brain cells and disrupts its normal functioning. A TBI, on the other hand, is a more severe form of head injury that involves physical damage to the brain tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 2.8 million head injuries recorded each year in the United States; ranging from mild concussions to severe cases that require hospitalization and long-term rehabilitation. According to the CDC, falls are actually the leading cause of head injuries amongst all age groups. 

Common Causes of Concussions and traumatic brain injuries

1. Impact to the Head: The most common cause of concussions and TBIs is a direct impact to the head. This can happen primarily in contact sports where players collide with each other or with objects on the field. Sporting accidents can also cause these types of injuries as most sports involve the rapid movement of people or objects. These can also occur in everyday situations, such as slipping and falling on a hard surface or being involved in a car accident.
2. Whiplash Injuries: Whiplash occurs when the head suddenly snaps back and forth, causing damage to the soft tissues in the neck and brain. This type of injury frequently happens during car accidents, especially rear-end collisions.
3. Violent Shaking: Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to concussions and TBIs due to their underdeveloped brains. Shaken baby syndrome, which occurs when an infant is violently shaken, can result in severe brain damage or even death.
4. Penetrating Head Injuries: These types of injuries occur when an object penetrates through the skull into the brain tissue. This could be caused by gunshot wounds, stabbings or other sharp objects entering the head.
5. Explosions or Blasts: Military personnel are at high risk for concussions and TBIs due to exposure

The symptoms of a concussion

Physical symptoms are often the most obvious signs of a concussion and can vary in severity depending on the individual. It is important to note that these symptoms may not appear immediately after a head injury but can develop over time. Some of the most common symptoms include: 

1. Headache: This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and may be localized or spread throughout the head. The headache may also be accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound.
2. Dizziness/Vertigo: Many individuals who have suffered a concussion report feeling lightheaded or dizzy, which can make it difficult to maintain balance or walk without stumbling. Some may also experience a sensation of spinning known as vertigo.
3. Nausea/Vomiting: Concussions can cause an upset stomach, leading to feelings of nausea and even vomiting in some cases. This symptom is more commonly seen in children than adults.
4. Fatigue: A concussion can leave an individual feeling extremely tired, both physically and mentally. They may struggle with concentration, memory problems, and find it challenging to complete daily tasks due to this fatigue.
5. Balance problems: The impact of a concussion on the brain's balance centers can lead to difficulty maintaining coordination and balance while walking or performing other activities involving movement.
6. Vision changes: Sensitivity to light, blurred vision, double vision, or trouble focusing are all

- Cognitive symptoms

These symptoms refer to any changes in thinking, memory, and concentration that occur after a head injury. While they can vary in severity and duration, it is important to recognize and address these symptoms as they can greatly impact an individual's daily life.

One of the most reported cognitive symptoms experienced after a concussion is difficulty with concentration. This may manifest as trouble staying focused or easily getting distracted by noise or movement. Individuals may also find it challenging to complete tasks that require sustained attention or complex thinking. Another is memory problems. This can range from mild forgetfulness to more severe issues with short-term memory loss. For example, an individual may struggle to remember recent events or conversations, have difficulty recalling important details or instructions, or experience confusion about their surroundings.

Essential Tips for Preventing Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

For anyone reading this for prevention, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from concussions and TBIs. In this section, we will discuss essential tips for avoiding these types of injuries.

1. Wear Appropriate Protective Gear

This is especially crucial for high-risk activities such as contact sports, cycling, or skateboarding.

Make sure to use helmets that fit properly and are designed specifically for the activity you are participating in. A well-fitted helmet should sit comfortably on your head and have adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit. It should also have adequate cushioning to absorb impact and protect your skull from fractures. Also, be sure to stay up to date with the best type of helmet that is available in your sporting activity and do not use outdated gear. 

2. Practice Proper Technique

Another important factor in preventing concussions and TBIs is using proper technique during physical activities. Whether it's sports or everyday tasks like lifting heavy objects, knowing how to perform movements correctly can significantly reduce your risk of injury.

If you're involved in contact sports such as football or boxing, learn how to tackle or punch without leading with your head. Learning the right way to throw a bodycheck or absorb one in hockey for example will prevent all kinds of injuries including reducing concussions.

2. Mouth guards:

Mouth guards are essential for protecting your teeth and jaw during contact sports or activities with a high risk of falls. But they also play an important role in preventing concussions. A properly fitted mouthguard can help absorb shock and prevent your lower jaw from slamming into your upper jaw during an impact. This reduces the force transmitted to your head, minimizing the risk of concussion.

3. Protective Eyewear:

Eye injuries can also result in traumatic brain injuries if left untreated or not protected properly. Wearing protective eyewear such as goggles or face shields can prevent debris or objects from entering the eye area and causing damage to the brain through direct impact or indirectly through whiplash.

1. Warm-up and cool down properly:

Before engaging in any physical activity, make sure to warm up your muscles and joints by doing some light stretches and movements. This helps prepare your body for the demands of the sport and reduces your risk of injury.

Treatment Options for Concussions

Treatment can vary depending on the severity and symptoms experienced by the individual. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect you or someone else has suffered a concussion. Diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional trained in managing concussions, such as a neurologist or sports medicine physician, is crucial for proper recovery.

One of the main treatment options for concussions is rest. This includes both physical and cognitive rest, which means avoiding activities that put strain on the brain such as reading, watching TV, using computers or phones, and participating in sports or other physically demanding activities. Rest allows the brain to heal and reduces the risk of further injury.

In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Another important aspect of treating concussions is monitoring for potential complications. If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, it may indicate a more serious injury and require further medical attention. Close observation by a healthcare professional during the recovery period is crucial in ensuring proper healing.

Cognitive rehabilitation therapy may also be recommended for individuals who have persistent symptoms after their concussion has healed. This type of therapy focuses on improving cognitive function through various exercises and techniques to help an individual return to their pre-injury level of functioning.

Encouraging Results for Red Light Therapy helping with Concussion and TBI treatment

Due to the extremely delicate and complex nature of the brain any non-invasive therapy that can help with the natural healing process is a welcome one. This is where exploring treatments such as red light therapy can be so valuable, as it is a very mild application that supports the body’s healing and has an excellent safety profile. We recommend for anyone interested in using red light therapy for a concussion or TBI to check with their physician before starting.

Please note that direct eye exposure to the light may aggravate light sensitivity and cause discomfort or trigger other symptoms, therefore using protective eyewear at all times and possibly even having a family member aid in the application of the light from a position that does not expose them to bright light may be advisable. 

Red light therapy is emerging as a promising new treatment to help support concussion recovery. A recent study done by Mass General Hospital can found that red light therapy could help accelerate brain healing and could be a benefit to patients with TBI.

Another study conducted by the university of Utah, found that individuals suffering from repeated head injuries and treated with red light therapy were found to have improved reflex time, grip strength, decreased depression and better sleep quality.

A small study conducted by researchers also found that participants “showed significant improvements over time” which was a promising sign that red light therapy could prove to be a valuable addition to the wellness routine of those with concussions or TBI.

How does Red Light Therapy Work in Helping the Brain to Heal

The mechanism of action is of course, highly complex and in some areas based in hypothesis but it does come back to the absorption by (and subsequent stimulating effects) on cytochrome c oxidase as part of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, increasing ATP levels, CAMP and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and releasing Nitric Oxide (NO) . This results in the favorable benefits of:

Reduced excitotoxicity

Reduced apoptosis of brain cells

Angiogenesis

Increased neuron progenitor cells

Increase blood flow

Increased uptake of oxygen in the mitochondria

All of which translate into the improvement of many brain-related conditions, making red light therapy a valuable consideration for those looking to support the treatment of their concussion, post concussion syndrome or TBI with a safe and noninvasive modality.

In a review study published by Dr Hamblin, Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders - PMC (nih.gov) - he takes a deep dive into many different studies that examined the effects of red light therapy on many types of neurological conditions, including concussions and TBI. His concluding statement is that red light “for brain disorders will become one of the most important medical applications of light therapy in the coming years and decades”. 

This is intriguing therapy is making new advances every year, and Rouge Panels are now being used by doctors and therapists to help support the wellness of  patients and professional athletes. Check out our line of home use and professional products right here!