PTSD: Facts, Support, and a Gentle Option with Red Light Therapy
At RegenClinic, we often meet people who come to us not just with pain or fatigue, but with the lingering effects of stress and trauma. The body and mind are deeply connected—when one is overwhelmed, the other follows.
This post explores what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is, how it affects the brain and body, and how red light therapy is emerging as a gentle, research-backed option to support recovery.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While symptoms vary, common experiences include:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or distressing dreams
- Heightened anxiety or irritability
- Avoidance of reminders associated with the trauma
- Sleep disturbances or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling “on edge”
It’s estimated that up to 10% of Canadians will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Many also experience overlapping conditions such as depression, chronic pain, or insomnia—signs that the nervous system has stayed stuck in a state of alert.
How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body
Chronic stress and trauma can change the way the brain processes information and regulates the body. The amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) becomes more active, while the prefrontal cortex (responsible for calm reasoning) becomes less so. The body may remain in a state of “fight, flight, or freeze,” long after the danger has passed.
This imbalance can also affect sleep, mood, digestion, and pain sensitivity. Healing often involves helping the nervous system find balance again—moving from survival mode into rest and repair.
A Gentle, Supportive Option: Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to gently stimulate the body’s cells. Research suggests this light can improve mitochondrial function (the cell’s energy source), reduce inflammation, and help regulate the autonomic nervous system.
At RegenClinic, we’ve seen encouraging results in patients using red light therapy alongside other therapies to support:
- Anxiety and depression
- Sleep regulation
- Chronic fatigue (ME/CFS)
- Post-concussion symptoms
- General stress and mood balance
By helping calm the nervous system and restore healthy cellular energy, red light therapy supports the body’s natural ability to recover from the effects of trauma. It doesn’t replace psychological or medical treatment—but it can be a complementary, non-invasive tool to aid in the healing process.
What to Expect
Many patients describe feeling more relaxed and grounded after their first few sessions. Treatments are gentle and non-invasive, and can be customized based on symptoms—ranging from whole-body pod sessions to focused laser or helmet treatments targeting specific areas of the brain.
You’re Not Alone
Whether your trauma is recent or long past, there are ways to help your body and mind reconnect and heal. Red light therapy offers a natural, research-backed option to support your recovery—gently, safely, and with care.
If you’d like to explore how red light therapy might fit into your care plan, our team is here to help.
Call or text us at 250-813-2121
Email: sasha@regenclinic.ca