Shining a Light on the Brain

A vital part of Ben's Neuro Rehab Protocol

I have been fascinated by light therapy for several years now. Naturally, light therapy is a mainstay in Ben's neuro rehab protocol (see this post for context).

Ben is doing better and better. He is eating more, he is more awake, and he is less and less fussy. We realized he was not eating enough, due to a poor latch.

Our light therapy protocol for Ben consists of three different modalities. I am affiliated with LifeWave and EMR-Tek, and some of the links below are affiliate links. Your purchases go toward funding Ben's rehab, which of course I'm sharing with you as we go.

• LifeWave light therapy patches

• Quantum Reflex Integration

• Red/infrared light devices

Ben is making a full recovery, for which we're incredibly grateful. We were not assured of this. In fact, we were told to expect the worst.

I know light therapy has been a major part of his recovery. I would use this protocol in any patient with stroke, traumatic brain injury, and any other injury to the brain.

What are these three light therapy modalities and why did I choose them to help Ben recover?

LifeWave Patches

We are using LifeWave patches for Benjamin. We are using the X39, X49, Aeon, and Alavida, which you can purchase as a bundle here.

Why did I pick these patches?

The frequencies of the LifeWave patches up-regulate certain peptides critical for health, particularly brain health. The X39 up-regulates GHK-Cu. The X49 up-regulates AHK-Cu. The Aeon patch does not, interestingly, up-regulate peptides, but activates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps to calm the body. The Alavida patch up-regulates epitalon, an important pineal peptide linked to longevity.

• GHK-Cu has profound effects on the brain, which is why we picked X39.

• AHK-Cu has profound effects on the brain, which is why we picked X49.

• We must activate the parasympathetic nervous system to rest, digest, and heal, which is why we picked Aeon.

• Epitalon has been shown to increase telomerase activity, which is why it is now regarded as an anti-aging or longevity peptide. Many people note more vivid dreams with the Alavida patch, which is designed to boost epitalon levels. We are using the Alavida patches because of the links between epitalon and brain health.

You can buy this bundle of patches here.

If you’re a practitioner interested in possibly offering LifeWave to your patients or clients, and you would like to learn more about how to integrate it into your practice, fill out this form and we can explore working together.

Quantum Reflex Integration

I learned about Quantum Reflex Integration (QRI) from my friend Marsha Lessard, who runs Brain Treatment Center Ashburn, Virginia. She has seen profound results with her family and her patients. I trusted her referral to Bonnie Brandes, who has been refining QRI for decades now.

QRI is based on the fact that as we develop, we "integrate" our reflexes. There are numerous primitive reflexes that, for Benjamin, were practically wiped out by his neurological injury. The same can be true of anyone with a severe brain injury of any kind.

When reflexes are not integrated, neurological development or rehabilitation can be hamstrung. When reflexes are re-integrated after having been lost, neurological development or rehabilitation can proceed again.

QRI uses a combination of light, sound, and frequency to re-integrate reflexes. It is a fascinating modality. You can learn more about it here.

Red and Infrared Light Devices

While Ben was in the hospital, we briefly used the TendLite, because of its easy portability. We would shine it on two points of each side of the brain. Because his skull has not completely ossified, the light may well have penetrated to the deepest structures of his brain.

The portable devices I would consider in adults is the VieLight.

Once Benjamin came home, we transitioned to using the EMR-Tek Inferno. One word of caution - we put him on a baby changing pad with a grey covering. We placed the Inferno just a few inches from the changing cushion. The frequency of the light emitted from the strongest lights on the Inferno made the covering smoke, and it probably would have caught fire. Thankfully, I was right there and moved the cushion away. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had stepped away.

Be aware that light therapy devices are powerful and there are real fire risks.

Interestingly, the light did not have this effect on my skin, which demonstrates that it was the color of the cushion that caused the overheating of the cushion's covering. Light never ceases to amaze and fascinate me.

We received an offer from our friend, Dona, the owner of Tree of Light in Naples to use one of her light beds for my wife and Benjamin. We have not yet taken her up on that, largely because his schedule is already so busy that we do not have time to take him to the light therapy bed.

A word of caution on sauna in newborns, which one might be tempted to use. Newborns and infants are easily overheated, and lack anything more than crying as a means to communicate their distress. Saunas obviously are wonderful, but newborns and infants can't stand much, if any, of their heat. For this reason, we are avoiding sauna use in Benjamin. I would lightly start and gradually increase sauna in any infant. My guide on sauna therapy is here.

Light Therapy for Brain Health

This is what we're doing every day to optimize Ben's recovery. He's not "all better" yet, but he's making progress every day. We are using light every day to help him make a full recovery.

We need light for optimal brain health, let alone healing. Light therapy is a must for anyone trying to heal brain injuries of any kind.

Until next time, be well,

Dr. Stillman