UVB Ultraviolet Therapy Therapy (Photoluminescence or Phototherapy)  Photo-oxidation therapy is also known as Photoluminescence, Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UVB), and Extracorporeal Photophoresis. A photo-oxidation (UVB Therapy) treatment consists of the insertion of a needle into a vein and the withdrawal of 60 or more cc's of blood that is passed through tubing where it is exposed to an ultraviolet (UV Ultraviolet "C" Light) light briefly. The treated blood is then directly returned to the patient's bloodstream. The only discomfort is during the insertion of the needle and is minimal. The effects are long lasting and there is an absence of harmful side effects. The simple treatments are easily combined with other medical procedures and are economical, dependable and gentle for the patient.   UVB Ultraviolet Therapy (Photo-oxidation therapy) is a biological healing modality utilizing ultraviolet irradiation of the blood (with UV Ultraviolet C light) to produce the following beneficial photochemical reactions:      Improved micro circulation and oxygenation of tissues.    Anti-inflammatory effects   Stimulation of the immune system    Increased tolerance of the body towards radiation or chemotherapy.   Cardiovascular protection through increased metabolism of cholesterol, uric acid, and glucose   Resolution of vascular spasms   Powerful anti-infection properties Historically, photo-oxidation therapy was first administered to humans in 1928 in Germany when a woman dying of sepsis (a usually fatal bacterial infection of the blood) was cured in two days. Currently, when use and over-use of antibiotics has produced super-strains of bacteria resistant to more and more powerful (toxic) antibiotics, and new mutated strains of viruses are being identified every decade, photo-oxidation is needed more than ever. Medical research from American and German sources, provides dozens of references on photo-oxidation. Those interested in further information can read Into The Light by William Campbell Douglas, Second Opinion Publishing, Inc, 1993 for original references.   Indications for photo-oxidation: When a patient has reached a plateau, photo- oxidation can often improve these patients further. Indications include: Infections of all types- (bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoa) toxic conditions of all types- snake bites or organic poisoning, injuries, wound healing, venous stasis ulcers, Raynaud's disease, migraine, acute flare ups of arthritic joints, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis pain, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, asthma, acne, herpes zoster, psoriasis, chronic intestinal inflammation, occlusion of arteries, (including stroke), thrombosis or increase in blood coagulability, thrombophlebitis, general detoxification.     Biological effects include: Increase in: arterial and venous oxygenation, blood pH, lymphocytes, electrical charge on the red blood cell, of bacteriocidal capacity of the blood, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, phagocytosis ability; Reduction of : cholesterol, creatinine levels, blood lactate, clot formation tendencies, blood viscosity, uric acid levels, fibrin levels, plasma viscosity, surface tension of the blood; Normalization or modulation of: immune status, glucose  tolerance , and fibrinolysis.  Frequency of treatment: Acute infectious situations typically will be treated with one treatment daily or every other day until improved or resolved. Chronic situations are treated on a variable schedule, but a typical pattern of treatment would be one treatment two times per week for three weeks, and then one treatment weekly for four weeks, then gradually moving towards one treatment every two months as maintenance. The treatments may take effect immediately and the benefits are apparent for up to 45 days.   Contraindications include: Porphyria, photosensitivity, acute hemorrhagic diseases (such as hemophilia-but not including routine medical anticoagulation), hyperthyroidism, subacute appendicitis and cholecystitis, immediately after a myocardial infarction (heart attack)  After your Photo-oxidation treatment:   Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water in the 24 hours following your treatment.   Avoid taking antioxidant supplements for 24 hours following your treatment. This includes Vitamins A,C,E, selenium, glutathione, pycnogenols,   Make sure you are eliminating properly - exercise, increase fiber, colonic therapy, herbal laxatives.   You may take enzymes and minerals to help facilitate energizing process.   What can you expect after a treatment? Some people feel better immediately afterwards. Occasionally, some people feel worse before they feel better. This is because the body is actually detoxifying from the treatment. The stimulated oxidation process can cause your body to "break" an infection. Detoxification symptoms include feeling tired or run- down, fever, chills, and flu like symptoms. This will usually last the night of your treatment and most people then feel better afterwards. In individuals with weakened immune systems (chronic fatigue, Candida, multiple sensitivities, etc.) it may take up to four treatments (rarely more) before the immune system is noticeably better.