Abstract
Light therapy is a general term used for all therapies that utilise different frequencies of light (colours) for therapeutic purposes. The use of light as a healing agent dates back into antiquity to ancient Rome, Greece, China and Egypt, where colour was used in worship and as a healing agent (Leven, 2000). In the year 1892, Niels Finsen of Denmark received the Nobel Prize for successfully treating skin tuberculosis lesions with ultra-violet light. Today, there are many modalities of light therapy of which laser therapy is the best known and researched. The medical profession utilises certain frequencies of light for conditions such as neonatal jaundice, improved healing of surgical wounds, sterilization of blood (externally) and certain types of skin cancer (Liberman, 1991). Extensive research into light and its effects on the human body have given rise to other, not commonly known, forms of light therapy such as Heliotherapy, Spectro-Chrome Therapy, Colourpuncture, Syntonics and the Homoeopathic light and colour remedies. Within this dissertation, the most successful and prevalent light therapies will be discussed in enough detail to give the reader a basic introduction into each modality.
The potentially valuable information regarding these healing modalities is widely scattered and therefore effectively out of the reach of the general health practitioner. Bringing this information together in a comprehensive and accessible format would serve to inform health practitioners of the possible alternative therapies available to help prevent/treat disease and deteriorative conditions.
The aim of this study is to investigate, compile and organise information regarding the various healing modalities of light and colour therapy, and to determine treatment effectiveness in terms of research and clinical findings. The study aims to create an easily accessible, comprehensive database of pertinent information.
Data, pertaining to the different light and colour therapies, will be collected from sources which include books, journals, articles, clinical trials, the internet and lecture notes. The information will be analysed according to the origin, development, application and existing clinical research, if any. From this information the efficacy each therapy can be explored. This information will be written up in the form of a literary survey.
Possible outcomes will include increased awareness of therapeutic alternatives to conventional medicine, a more complete and easily accessible information base on each modality, possible inclusion into homoeopathic and allopathic practice, and to stimulate further research.
Dr. Solomon