Lymphedema and the Efficacy of Low Level Light Therapy

By Sable Burton,

The purpose of this article is to share the studied benefits of LLLT, Low Level Light Therapy (or photobiomodulation (PBM)) on lymphedema conditions and to suggest it as a reasonable supplement in treatment protocols. If lymphedema is not caught in the early stages of genesis further complications will arise such as fibrosis, infection, neuropathy, disfiguration or even death. This paper supports the positive effects of LLLT in the early on-set stages for transient conditions as well as the chronically affected when the limb’s range of motion, nerve health and bacterial complications are likely and more severe. Problems arise for patients and practitioners alike due to medical insurance caps thus making care difficult to obtain and/or sustain in developed countries. The subsequent impairments of this disease affect many areas of our society; beginning with the patient’s physical limitations and psychological disparities that secondarily put an economic strain on the health care system itself. With a range of problems stemming from individual suffering to personal economic hardship; the positive effects and comparable low-cost of LLLT should be considered a viable modality in the multi-faceted course of treatment for lymphedema patients. LLLT can be included in patient therapy to enable recovery and ensure consistent, preventative care. After the studies I will offer my critique on the methods in which research was conducted to help one see all aspects in which LLLT can be fully optimized and applied in future groundbreaking studies.