How PBM Found a Home in the VA

Send us Fan MailWhat are you actually buying when you purchase a red light therapy device? In Part 3, Dr. Ginger Bowler and 40-year industry veteran David Malone examine the controversy surrounding photobiomodulation devices, testing, regulation, engineering, marketing, and product quality.David explains how FDA clearance and third-party safety testing once shaped the industry, what he believes changed after the device category became easier to enter, and why two products that look nearly identical may perform very differently.The conversation also examines panels versus skin-contact devices, true LED wavelengths versus colored lenses, ineffective wavelength combinations, copycat products, safety shortcuts, and the potential damage inferior devices could do to the reputation of red light therapy.Later, Ginger and David discuss emerging interest in applying photobiomodulation to the head, including SPECT imaging, circulation, concussion and traumatic brain injury research, and cognitive health.In this episode:• FDA 510(k) clearance and device testing• What changed when market entry became easier• Why some combinations of light may not work well together• Panels versus skin-contact pads• Colored lenses versus true LED wavelengths• Marketing claims and heavily promoted devices• Engineering shortcuts and copycat products• The debate surrounding red light therapy regulation• Photobiomodulation and brain research• SPECT imaging and cerebral blood flow• Concussions, traumatic brain injuries and cognitive functionSupport the show

Send us Fan MailIs red light alone enough? In Part 2, Dr. Ginger Bowler and 40-year light-therapy industry veteran David Malone explore why photobiomodulation devices may use combinations of red, near-infrared, blue, and green light rather than relying on a single wavelength.David explains how combining red and infrared appeared to reduce treatment plateaus, where pulsing originated, what Nogier and Solfeggio frequencies are, how duty cycle works, and why different wavelengths penetrate the body at different depths.They also discuss the addition of blue and green light, observations reported by practitioners and device users, Doppler testing, circulation, treatment duration, and what David has learned through decades of developing LED light-therapy systems.In this episode:• Why red light alone may be only part of the story• Red and near-infrared combinations• The discovery of infrared light• Why treatment responses may plateau• The origin of pulsed light therapy• Nogier and Solfeggio frequencies• Cymatics and frequency patterns• Blue and green light applications• Duty cycle explained in plain language• How deeply different wavelengths penetrate• How treatment duration was evaluated• Doppler testing and circulationSupport the show

Send us Fan MailNot all red light therapy devices are created equal. In Part 1 of this conversation, Dr. Ginger Bowler sits down with David Malone, a light-therapy device designer and manufacturer with 40 years of industry experience, to explain what actually matters in photobiomodulation—and what may be little more than marketing.David traces the evolution of light therapy from early helium-neon lasers and veterinary applications to modern LED pads and panels. He explains red and near-infrared wavelengths, pulsing, treatment distance, skin contact, light penetration, overlapping LED coverage, FDA clearance, UL testing, and the engineering hidden inside a device.In this episode:• Red light versus near-infrared light• What wavelength numbers actually mean• The origins of pulsed light therapy• Lasers versus LEDs• Skin-contact pads versus stand-alone panels• Why distance from the skin matters• True wavelengths versus colored plastic lenses• FDA 510(k) clearance and device testing• The danger of copying a device without understanding its engineering• The half-cent component that prevented a serious device failureSupport the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, pioneering clinician Judy Lyles, RN, CLTI, shares how she brought light therapy (photobiomodulation) to the VA hospital in Florida—starting with a grant and a pilot study that showed dramatic improvements in diabetic patients' pain, circulation, and mood. The therapy became so popular among veterans that the VA pain clinic adopted it, and today 14 VA hospitals use light therapy for conditions ranging from wound healing to cognitive function. Now she's developing online training courses to help more healthcare professionals bring this powerful, non-invasive treatment to their own patients.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWomen deserve better conversations about hormonal changes. Dr. Bowler and Bryche Taylor open up about perimenopause and menopause, sharing what every woman should know but often isn’t told. They break down how red light therapy supports women through this transition by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, boosting mood, and helping the body feel more like home again. Real experiences, real science, and real solutions for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.Support the show

Send us Fan MailTo be a great practitioner, your light has to be on. In this episode, Dr. Bowler and Bryche Taylor dive into the importance of boundaries, mindfulness, and self-care in the wellness space. They explore why practitioners often give too much, how to keep compassion fatigue at bay, and simple strategies to refill your own cup. When you nurture your own wellness, you have more to give without burning out. This is a reminder every healer needs to hear.Support the show

Send us Fan MailDr. Ginger Bowler sits down with Bryche Taylor to talk about her new book, Heart of the Sale, and why emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the wellness and weight loss industry. From red light therapy to real client care, Bryche shares how empathy builds trust, creates deeper results, and makes selling feel good again. This conversation will help practitioners show up with confidence in the value they provide, charge what they’re worth, and feel aligned while making a significant impact.The Heart of the Sale is available to download as a FREE E-Book at www.brychetaylor.comSupport the show

Send us Fan MailWhy Be INTERESTED in Your FASCIA?  Dr. Ginger Bowler and Isabel Martinez, CLTI discuss Isabel's use of Fascial Maneuvers along with Photobiomodulation (light therapy) and why (and what kind) of great results people are seeing.Fascia is no longer understood as only connective tissue, but as a dynamic, responsive, network that interconnects the organs and systems of the body.  Proper nutritional balance of minerals and hydration are key to the smooth and flexible functioning of our fascia, and our whole bodies.  Fascial Maneuvers can be done by the individual, at home.  It may be just the thing to add to your light therapy, or other personal care program.Support the show

Send us Fan MailHas PBM (Light therapy) become so recognized that it now requires certification?  Yes, it is a real modality, and board certification as a Light Therapist is advisable.Let's distinguish between certification and licensing. Board certification happens within an industry committed to self-regulation.  Licensing is a function of the individual state. The use of Photobiomodulation in a wellness business does not require a state license because it is currently not regulated by any state in the United States.  But, in order for the practitioner to get insurance, most companies will require them to be board-certified.The educated use of any tool helps get the best results. Education in one's profession is always a good thing for the practitioner and the client. In addition to the educated use of Light therapy devices, the practitioner understands the legal, ethical and professional concerns and how to discuss the benefits of light therapy without crossing lines into areas reserved for licensed medical professionals.Dr. Ginger Bowler and Isabel Martinez discuss the development of the LETS Light Therapy certification program that trains students for certification through the Board of Advanced Natural Health Sciences (BANHS) and explain why this education is so vital.Support the show

Send us Fan MailHave you noticed an improvement in mood and disposition often seems to happen after a grumpy, negative person comes out of their light therapy session in a much better mood?  Dr. Ginger Bowler, Isabel Martinez, CLT, CLTI and Melinda Anderson, MMP, CLT continue the discussion of their own experiences with different light therapy devices and the wide range of benefits reported by their clients about how they feel.  Feeling better, not just physically -- but mentally and emotionally -- can have a profound effect on our day, our relationships, and our lives.Support the show