MyGreen allows patients to customize individual settings
Migraine relief by science
In Green Light Relieves Headache Pain I described the studies at Harvard and the University of Arizona that demonstrated the efficacy of green phototherapy for relief of migraine headache and other forms of pain. Although no one knows the exact mechanisms, what's clear is when all visible wavelengths of light except green are excluded from the eyes, the severity and frequency of pain decreases significantly.
It used to be that the only way to experience full green light immersion was to visit dense, shady forests. In fact, the traditional practice of forest bathing is also associated with pain relief and other health benefits like reduced inflammation, faster wound healing, better stress management, improved immune system function, and overall improvements in health (Fu et al. 2022). One cohort of professional nurses in Japan experienced increased expression of anti-cancer proteins after just two consecutive afternoons of walking in the forest (Li et al. 2008). To the extent that the green wavelengths of light that dominate the forest environment (Endler 1993) contribute to its healing powers, it may be that the Harvard and University of Arizona discoveries have found a new way to bring some benefits of forest bathing inside.
Nevertheless, the Harvard study was conducted in a laboratory research setting, and the University of Arizona studied home-based treatments. There are still no scientific studies of green phototherapy in clinical settings, under the supervision of a medical professional. One of the reasons is because previous green light technologies were not designed to be used with eyes closed. For example, Allay Lamp instructs users to sit in an otherwise dark room for hours a day and allow the green light to enter the eyes indirectly. Few headache treatment clinics are equipped with darkened rooms that they can dedicate to hours of use for a single patient.
By contrast, MyGreen technology more powerful and individually adjustable. That means that patients can use MyGreen in a conventional clinical setting, without the need for a darkroom. For example, closing eyes and placing the MyGreen Lantern just a few inches from the face will effectively excludes all wavelengths of light but green. Moreover, the MyGreen allows adjustment of multiple wavelengths and intensities so that patients can experiment with settings that are most effective for their individual headache.
According to clinicians who have supervised use of the Mygreen Lantern with their patients, the results have been faster, more effective relief. For example, Dr. David Tate, founder of Valhalla photomodulation clinics in Utah and Professor of Neuropsychology at University of Utah, reports:
We've been able to use MyGreen with several patients with active headaches. All have responded positively, enjoyed relief, and felt more functional. A few experienced complete resolution of symptoms. - Dr. David Tate
Meanwhile, Dr. Jacob Perkins reports that he's successfully treated migraine, post-concussion, and tension headaches using the MyGreen Lantern with patients of all ages in his Lehi UT clinic.
What happens during green phototherapy for migraine headache pain relief?
When you arrive at a clinic experiencing migraine, you might be willing to try acupuncture, dry needling, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or maybe you're expecting a prescription for medication. However, if your doctor suggests green phototherapy first, it's probably because it's safe, inexpensive, and fast-acting.
You'll be shown to a quiet place with a desk, counter, and a comfortable chair and instructed to position your face just a few inches from the MyGreen Lantern. When you place your thumbs over the "Mode" and intensity buttons, you'll be able to toggle thru the wavelength and intensity settings until you find the combination that feels most comfortable to you.
Many people report that during an active headache, the 520nm on 100% intensity feels best, so that's a good place to start. Some people prefer the mixed 520nm + 550nm setting, especially when they're using green light for relaxation and stress management. No one can tell you what settings will work best for you, or for your particular headache, which is why the MyGreen allows you to experiment for yourself.
Will green light work for your headache?
Most patients have reported rapid headache relief. That is, after 10-20 seconds, patients typically report feeling more relaxed. After about a minute, many patients report that they're experiencing a reduction in self-reported pain scores. Finally, just ten to twenty minutes of green phototherapy with the MyGreen Lantern has been sufficient to completely resolve pain in several headache patients.
That means that you don't need to wait for an hour to know whether the MyGreen protocols are going to work -- you'll know almost right away.
MyGreen has successfully been used top treat migraine, tension, post-concussion, and sinus headaches. However, there is one type of headache for which MyGreen has not been successful -- an high estrogen headache (or menstrual migraine). In two patients experiencing headaches associated with the high estrogen stage of their normal menstrual cycle, green light failed to provide relief. Rapid changes in estrogen levels, whether up or down, are associated with increased frequency and severity of migraine, which may explain why women are impacted by migraine at a rate three times greater than men (Reddy et al. 2021). Nonetheless, the only way to determine whether green light will work for your headache is to experiment with the settings on the Lantern and find out.
It is rare for a patient to experience just one type of headache. That is, just because green phototherapy did not work for one type of headache doesn't mean it won't work for a different type. One woman who was enthusiastic about receiving her MyGreen Lantern reported back to me that she was disappointed when she felt no relief -- despite using the Lantern as instructed. However, a few weeks later when she was experiencing a different type of headache, she tried the Lantern again. This time, her relief was rapid and complete. It may be that her first headache was related to estrogen, and her second headache related to inflammation, tension, or some other source.
For more case study reports of headache pain relief, visit the Stories page and read some of the remarkable testimonials there.
About the Author
Thomas P Seager, PhD is an Associate Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University. He is the founder of MyGreen Lamp, LLC and principal inventor of MyGreen products. He is also CEO of the ice bath company Morozko Forge.
References
Endler JA. The color of light in forests and its implications. Ecological monographs. 1993 Feb;63(1):1-27
Fu D, Serra NI, Mansion H, Mansion ET, Blain-Moraes S. Assessing the effects of nature on physiological states using wearable technologies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022 Jan 22;19(3):1231
Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Shimizu T, Li YJ, Wakayama Y, Kawada T. A forest bathing trip increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins in female subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2008 Jan 1;22(1):45-55
Reddy N, Desai MN, Schoenbrunner A, Schneeberger S, Janis JE. The complex relationship between estrogen and migraines: a scoping review. Systematic reviews. 2021 Dec;10:1-3
Comentários