FAQ's

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is cutting-edge technology used to treat a multitude of conditions using Low Level Laser, LED or Near Infra-red light. PBM is also known as Cold Laser Therapy or Low-Level Light Therapy works at the cellular level promoting healing wherever the light beam is applied.  With PBM, light photons work to eliminate oxidative stress in your cells which decreases inflammation, relieves pain and accelerates healing.

With over 50 years of scientific study, PBM has been proven world-wide to reduce pain, improve function, repair tissue and more. It is non-invasive, safe and has no side-effects. It is also Health Canada Approved.

Photobiomodulation means:

• Photo means Light
• Bio means Life
• Modulation means to Stimulate and Change.

For details about the science behind this therapy, please see our Blog section.

As the function of PBM is to improve the energy production of each cell, decrease cellular oxidative stress (the cause of chronic inflammation), and increase circulation, almost every ailment can be helped by this therapy, whether it is acute and chronic in nature.

The following is a list of example conditions:

• Musculoskeletal – Muscle, joint, bone, tendon injury and pain. Traumatic brain injury including concussion and whiplash. Neck and back pain. Stiffness and swelling. Post-exercise muscle recovery.
• Skin and hair – wounds, hair loss and multiple dermatological conditions.
• Nerve – Diminished motor and sensory function, including symptoms of burning, tingling, numbness, pain and fatigue.
• Oral – Post surgery healing, TMJ, mucositis, painful tongue, cheeks and dryness.
• Inflammation – specific and localized; acute and chronic.
• Overall wellness, immune boosting and preventative care.

Please also see "What Conditions Can We Treat" on our homepage.

If you have a specific condition you would like to discuss, please contact us and we will be happy to speak with you.

Luminous uses world-class, clinical-level equipment and is the only clinic in the Greater Vancouver area using both the THOR LED/Laser Hand-Held devices, the world leader in PBM technology, as well as an ARRC Full-Body Light Therapy Bed to offer clients an incredibly effective way to combat oxidative stress, heal tissue, decrease inflammation, increase circulation, and promote overall wellness.

LED is the acronym of Light Emitting Diode while the LASER is the abbreviated term used for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

LEDs usually emit light in a small band of wavelengths but cannot emit a single specified wavelength such as a Laser. LEDs consist of many colours while light beams generated by the LASER are monochromatic (single colour light). LEDs are used for wound healing, skin conditions and lymphatic stimulation whereas, Laser light is often used to relieve pain and can reach deeper into the tissue and joints for healing.

At Luminous we use a combination of LED (Red and Near Infrared) and Laser light probes for targeted treatments using THOR light technology and our ARRC Lightbed is LED only with a combination of Red, Green and Near Infrared LED lights.

PBM is non-invasive and safe with no known side effects.
We use THOR light technology with a class 3B laser and  an LED light probe, both with red and near infrared wavelengths. We have an ARRC LED Light Bed. Both of these are Health Canada and FDA approved.

User guidelines include:

• Wear protective eyeglasses when being treated with a PBM Laser. Looking directly at the laser can damage your retinas. However, PBM LED's will not harm your eyes and are often used directly on eyes for healing effects. In fact,  we use  our THOR LED equipment to help with age related macular degeneration and other conditions.
• Avoid receiving PBM over your thyroid if you are taking thyroid medication.
• Do not use the Light Bed if you are pregnant.
• If you have a pacemaker, do not use the laser probe over this area.

PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy. It is a safe and effective way to improve the health of your cells in the body. It is a non-invasive medical treatment that delivers low frequency electromagnetic waves to the body which help stimulate cells and promote healing. PEMF is believed to help reduce inflammation in the body, enhance cellular health and metabolism, and improve circulation. We use the Swiss Bionic Omnium1 Mat which has the innovative 'triple saw-tooth' wave technology.
There are many benefits with using PEMF therapy and it has been used to treat a variety of health conditions. Such conditions include:
sleep disorders chronic pain chronic fatigue arthritis depression autism concussions nerve damage dementia post-surgery operations auto-immune diseases, cancer and so much more.

PEMF helps to heal and regenerate on a cellular level and therefore minimizes the recovery time. It helps to give people more energy naturally and improves their athletic performance and their daily lives.

See details on or Blog:

PEMF therapy works by directing small amounts of energy toward a specific part of your body via a specialized magnetic device. At Luminous, we have a Swiss Bionic Omnium1 PEMF mat to lie on for a whole body treatment and we also have smaller devices that are used for specific areas such as your back or shoulders.

The therapeutic frequency of PEMFs look a lot like the frequencies you encounter in nature, so your body knows how to deal with it. Most PEMF treatments and maintenance will fall in the 5-30 Hz range, which is less than you get from a thunderstorm. This is a very low dose, unlike EMF's from electronic devices that may actually cause harm to your body. PEMF doses are scientifically designed to give your mitochondria a slight "charge" to enable more energy to be created. This also boosts your body's natural healing process.
Traditionally, this type of therapy has been used to treat acute and chronic pain by helping to reduce inflammation.
PEMF therapy improves circulation and cellular functioning by increasing your body’s ability to release nitric oxide. Nitric oxide release is a common healing mechanism following injuries, and it also helps reduce inflammation.

PEMF therapy is often used as a complement to other treatment measures.

See details on our blog.

Everyone’s condition, health history and immune system is different.  Therefore, the amount of treatments will vary from case to case.  When you come in for your initial consultation, we will determine  a recommended treatment plan that will address your specific needs.

On average, the recommended protocol is 2 to 3 times a week for 2 to 4 weeks for acute conditions and 2 to 3 times per week for 1254 2 to 8 weeks for chronic conditions.

For overall wellness and maintenance, once a week or bi-weekly sessions in our lightbed is recommended.

Almost all health conditions have one thing in common, oxidative stress in our cells. Photobiomodulation eliminates oxidative stress. Cellular oxidative stress is the main cause of  inflammation and pain. Chronic inflammation is at the root of most health conditions and can manifest into serious diseases.

Eliminating oxidative stress helps all health conditions that are caused by or are affected by inflammation. This, along with increasing cellular energy, is what makes the discovery of low level laser and LED so remarkable. It helps or heals almost ANY ailment!

For a detailed description of how oxidative stress forms in our cells  and how Photobiomodulation counteracts this process, please see our Blog section. 

No, PBM is also used for overall wellness, enhancing athletic and cognitive performance along with disease prevention and anti-aging.  Since it works at the cellular level, PBM can boost your immune system, increase energy and enhance your overall health!

The lasers used for each type of treatment vary in class type, power and intensity.

In cosmetic surgery, lasers have been developed to be strong enough for skin resurfacing (a technique that directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin, precisely removing skin layer by layer) and removal of wrinkles, scars, moles, tattoos and unwanted hair.

Laser surgery used in hospitals is a type of surgery that uses even stronger light beams instead of instruments, such as scalpels, to perform surgical procedures. There are several different types of lasers, each with characteristics that perform specific functions during surgery.

Some examples are:

• To remove tumors
• To help prevent blood loss by sealing small blood vessels
• To seal lymph vessels to help decrease swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) was discovered in 1967 by Endre Mester at the Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary.  PBM, also known as Low-level laser therapy, applies lasers or LEDs to the surface of the body at very low power levels that do not produce heat.

Whereas high-power lasers are used in laser medicine to cut or destroy tissue, low-power lasers stimulate and enhance cell function.  

The light beams emitted from Photobiomodulation light therapy (or low level light therapy) stimulate a cellular response that combats cellular oxidative stress which decreases inflammation and allows the mitochondria to produce energy at optimal levels. This boosts the immune system, relieves pain and accelerates healing. See our Blog on How it Works.