We Connecticut people know that Lyme disease is not to be taken lightly. After going through it and learning all I could about it, I decided to give an interview to share my experiences and knowledge, hoping it might help others understand the disease and learn more about treatment options.
What was it like getting your diagnosis?
Honestly, it came as a total shock! During my annual visit with my PCP, I hadn’t been feeling great. After describing my ailments – sore joints, sleeplessness, fatigue, headaches, tinnitus, increased anxiety, panic attacks, and an overall sense of dullness and depression – my doctor ordered some tests. At the time, I thought all those symptoms could be attributed to stress. I had just delivered my second daughter and was desperately trying to keep up with an impossible lifestyle: working full-time, scrambling to manage childcare, and maintaining a household. It’s a reality too many of us experience – and I repeat, an impossible one.
Did you know much about the disease at the time and what the diagnosis meant for your health?
When my doctor told me that Lyme is with you forever once you’re infected, I was bewildered. I had expected a round of medication to knock it out – voila, cured! I had a lot of questions, and I was surprised that my doctor seemed somewhat unprepared to answer them. I wanted to know how Lyme works, how it affects the body, what the symptoms are, and how I could avoid or alleviate them. And ultimately, how was this disease going to change my life? The response was casual: after taking antibiotics, I should be better and not experience symptoms. It sounded simple enough, but I was still confused about my longevity. If Lyme disease is a lifelong illness, shouldn’t I expect something from it in the future? I was only in my thirties. What about the next few decades?
Did you end up experiencing symptoms after your antibiotic treatment?
About five or six years later, right after opening my red light therapy studio, I saw a naturopathic doctor for the first time. As luck would have it, she was also a Lyme disease specialist. I was experiencing the same symptoms I had when I was first diagnosed, but now I had also developed brain fog and tremors, and my tinnitus had become unbearable. I felt like I was falling apart.
She told me that, based on my health history and symptoms, I was likely having a Lyme flare-up – something I didn’t even know existed. And the bigger surprise? She said, “Lyme disease loves stress.” Excessive stress is a surefire way to trigger a flare-up. I had also recently recovered from COVID, which she said was another common culprit.
Was your naturopath able to help ease your symptoms?
After discussing my options, we decided antibiotics weren’t necessary at that time. What was necessary for my long-term health and managing Lyme symptoms was reducing my stress – not just mental stress, but physical stress, too. She advised me to shift to a cleaner diet, eat whole foods, and maintain proper hydration. I also added vitamin supplements to my daily routine. It’s what she recommended next that took me by surprise… She ironically suggested I do red light therapy.
That is ironic, given that your business centers around RLT. Did you know it could be beneficial in your situation?
The short answer is yes. But at the time, I was so focused on using RLT for my clients for weight loss treatments that I hadn’t paid much attention to its other health benefits, especially for myself. I was still putting my well-being last. It wasn’t until I felt on the edge of burnout that I finally decided I had to take action. Somehow, it hadn’t occurred to me that I already had the perfect resource to help myself. So, with my doctor’s advice, I scheduled some treatment time for myself and immediately did some red light therapy.
What changes did you notice with the therapy, and how long did it take to make a difference for you?
I never get tired of talking about this! The benefits of RLT still continue to amaze me. Before I explain how red light therapy works and what it does, I often feel the need to say – half-jokingly – that what they’re about to hear may sound incredible or unrealistic, so please keep an open mind.
My results with RLT to relieve my Lyme symptoms were profound. As the owner of a business dedicated to RLT, I was anxiously hopeful it would work for my symptoms! But I also knew I had to remain unbiased. Proving that red light therapy improves quality of life for those with chronic disease meant I needed to know it worked – not just believe it. Through my research and seeing firsthand with our clients, I knew it helped with chronic pain and weight management, but we hadn’t treated autoimmune disorders or conditions like mine before. I went in with an open mind – no expectations, just curiosity.
After my first treatment, I slept well and woke up feeling refreshed, which was unusual for me. The next day, I focused on my knee and shoulder pain, adding extra treatment time to target the inflammation in my joints. I fell asleep during the session – it can be very relaxing. When I woke up, the pain was gone. The knee pain that had me shifting my weight all day? Vanished. My perpetually stiff and achy shoulders? Relaxed. By this point, I knew we were onto something.
I committed to a week of daily RLT treatments, fluctuating between twenty and forty minutes each. I started on a Tuesday feeling cranky, sore, and exhausted. By the following Monday, I felt unstoppable. I had incredible energy, no pain whatsoever, and felt revitalized. My family barely recognized me. I was coming home from the studio with boundless energy, tackling my to-do list with enthusiasm.
Now, if I’m feeling life pressures dragging me down, I use RLT early, before symptoms worsen. In minutes, I’m back to feeling like my usual self.
That really does sound incredible. How do you explain how RLT seemed to erase your symptoms so quickly?
Red light therapy may seem like science fiction until you understand the research behind it. While the concept seems new, the technology has been with us for decades. NASA played a key role in developing the technology we use today. Since the 1980s, they’ve explored red and near-infrared light for plant growth in space and astronaut recovery.
So, why light for healing? Humankind has used light energy from the sun since before time. The sun’s energy is essential for all life on earth. So, exploring light energy for its health benefits seems natural. And being a natural element could be the reason why our bodies respond so positively to it.
Red and near-infrared light are the most beneficial and far-reaching wavelengths we can harness. When directed into the body, they stimulate the mitochondria – the powerhouse of our cells – to produce more ATP, the energy source that fuels nearly every function in the body. This enhances cellular efficiency, speeds up repair, and improves regeneration, reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and accelerating healing. Red light therapy is the perfect blend of holistic and modern medicine.
What advice do you have for anyone with Lyme disease or similar conditions who wants to try red light therapy?
First, RLT is not a cure for Lyme, and not everyone will find instant relief. Results can vary. When it comes to reducing symptoms from illness, it’s essential to seek treatment from a professional with expertise in medical-grade red light therapy. Many commercial facilities use low-grade equipment and do not have staff who are qualified to treat illness, so be sure to ask before booking.
I also get questions about at-home RLT devices. While I encourage everyone to try RLT, home devices are largely unregulated and can often be ineffective. And remember that trying RLT once without results doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. Sometimes it takes multiple treatments. To be certain of its efficacy, professional treatment is the best option.
Do other therapies work well with RLT?
Definitely. Because one way RLT helps us feel better is by stimulating the removal of toxins and impurities from the body, therapies such as dry brushing, infrared sauna, and manual lymphatic drainage can amplify its benefits following treatment. But even without these additional treatments, red light therapy is a powerful tool on its own – gentle, effective, and accessible to everyone.
It’s easy to see why more people are turning to it.
Jackie O’Keefe is the founder of Aura Light Therapy in Farmington, a serene wellness space dedicated to helping people feel healthier and more confident. With expertise in medical-grade red light therapy, she offers treatments that promote fat loss, reduce pain, and enhance overall well-being. Jackie’s commitment to improving lives and passion for blending advanced technology with a supportive, approachable atmosphere has made Aura Light Therapy a trusted destination for those seeking safe, effective solutions for better health.
To learn more, visit: auralighttherapy.com or Instagram: @auralighttherapy; call or text 860.751.9453 or email: [email protected].