1.1. Qu'est-ce que la luminothérapie ?

Depuis le début des années 80, la luminothérapie (parfois appelée thérapie par la lumière rouge, photothérapie, thérapie LED, thérapie infrarouge, thérapie photonique ou thérapie rouge/infrarouge) est utilisée dans le monde équin pour traiter les chevaux et aider les propriétaires et les entraîneurs à maintenir leurs chevaux en pleine forme. La première thérapie par la lumière largement démocratisée chez les animaux a été la thérapie laser, également appelée thérapie laser de faible niveau (LLLT) ou thérapie laser froid. Depuis, il a été observé que la luminothérapie par LED présente des nombreux avantages similaires à la LLLT. La luminothérapie par LED est un moyen efficace pour aider le corps à s'auto-guérir. 

​Light therapy can:
• Enhances release of Nitric Oxide from hemoglobin
• Increase vascularity (circulation) by increasing the formation of new capillaries,
which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries
speed up the healing process by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients
needed for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.
• Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein
found in the body. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair damaged tissue
and to replace old tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together and has a
high degree of elasticity. By increasing collagen production less scar tissue is
formed at the damaged site.
• Stimulate the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major
carrier of energy to all cells. Increases in ATP allow cells to accept nutrients
faster and get rid of waste products faster by increasing the energy level in the
cell. All food turns into ATP before it is utilized by the cells. ATP provides the
chemical energy that drives the chemical reaction of the cell.
• Increase lymphatic system activity. Edema, which is the swelling or natural
splinting process of the body, has two basic components. The first is a liquid part
which can be evacuated by the blood system and the second is comprised of the
proteins which have to be evacuated by the lymphatic system. Research has
shown that the lymph vessel diameter and the flow of the lymph system can be
doubled with the use of light therapy. The venous diameter and the arterial
diameters can also be increased. This means that both parts of edema (liquid and
protein) can be evacuated at a much faster rate to relieve swelling
• Increase RNA and DNA synthesis. This helps damaged cells to be replaced
more promptly.
• Reduce the excitability of nervous tissue. The photons of light energy enter the
body as negative ions. This calls upon the body to send positive ions like calcium
among others to go to the area being treated. These ions assist in firing the nerves
thereby relieving pain.
• Stimulate fibroblastic activity which aids in the repair process. Fibroblasts are
present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibers.
• Increase phagocytosis, which is the process of scavenging for and ingesting dead
or degenerated cells by phagocyte cells for the purpose of clean up. This is an
important part of the infection fighting process. Destruction of the infection and
clean up must occur before the healing process can take place.
• Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue. The light raises the temperature of the
cells although there is no heat produced from the diodes themselves.
• Stimulate tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are part
of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissue.
• Stimulate acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine causes cardiac inhibition,
vasodialation, gastrointestinal peristalsis and other parasympathetic effects.