CHSU Discovery

Abstract
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive treatment modality that utilizes light
to induce intracellular changes in target tissue, leading to therapeutic effects. The
chromophore Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO) plays a key role by absorbing light in
the red to near-infrared range, effectively stimulating ATP production and
facilitating tissue regeneration. Light's ability to pass through tissue harmlessly and
induce intracellular changes is what makes it a unique and efficacious treatment
option. For this reason, PBM therapy is generally very well-tolerated in addition to
being non-invasive, low risk and potentially very cost-effective. Optimizing light's
parameters such as wavelength and energy density or “fluence” is crucial for
ensuring treatment efficacy and safety. While PBM has great potential to address
numerous clinical conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, wound healing,
and osteoarthritis (OA)- its adoption as a therapeutic intervention has been
relatively sluggish. This review therefore aims to outline PBM’s various clinical
indications, introduce recent advances in our understanding of its mechanism of
action, and discuss exciting future therapeutic opportunities.