Safety Precautions and Contraindications

General Disclaimer: We provide information about our medical and wellness devices. While we make every effort to make sure the information is accurate and informative, the information does not take the place of professional or medical advice. This information is for general purposes only. Providing this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional healthcare services, including the provision of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information or any material from our website or marketing materials is based upon clinical trials, peer-reviewed manuscripts and the experience of our clients and may not be relevant for some individual circumstances. Accordingly, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical conditions that they may have, and they should seek the advice of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

 A level of caution should be exercised by all patients, especially those with co-morbidities (see table below), when using any form of light therapy including a SYMBYX device. Patients can also have these conditions silently without being aware of them. There is always a risk of producing unwanted side-effects, including mild and transient nausea, vomiting, dizziness and vertigo. It is important to recognise these symptoms, cease using your SYMBYX device immediately and seek medical advice if symptoms persist. If a patient is aware of such underlying conditions before commencing light therapy, then they are advised to commence with a 1-2 week, half of the typical recommended dosage, under clinical supervision*.

Circumstance

Recommended Action 

Clinical Reasoning

Prescription medications (including for Parkinson’s)*

Do not make any changes to a patient’s medication unless they increase photosensitivity. Discuss with your prescribing healthcare practitioner first.

If taking blood thinners, seek medical clearance before using a SYMBYX helmet or applying light therapy to the head.  

If taking blood thinners because of a history of stroke, then do not use the SYMBYX helmet or apply any form of light therapy to the head.

SYMBYX lasers are designed to complement all pre-existing therapies.

Insufficient supporting evidence for applying light therapy to the head if taking blood thinners, even though no negative episodes have been documented. 

Patients suffering from extreme sensitivity to light (incl vestibular migraine; epilepsy)

Do not treat with SYMBYX products.

Risk of invoking a deleterious episode.

 

Pregnancy

Do not treat with SYMBYX products.

Insufficient supporting evidence, even-though no negative episodes have been documented.

Heart conditions*

Treat with caution**.

Light therapy might temporarily increase autonomic symptoms, including heart rate. If this happens, patients should immediately contact Clinical Support at clinicalsupport@symbyxbiome.com. It is very important to proceed with caution and ensure clinical supervision. 

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Do not treat with SYMBYX Neuro helmet. 

You may treat with all other SYMBYX products (PDCare, PhysioCare, DermaCare, DuoCare and Pro Series Lasers),  according to SYMBYX protocols.

Insufficient supporting evidence, even-though no negative episodes have been documented.

 

History of acute psychiatric episodes, severe hypermobility (incl Ehlos Danos); acute polyarthritic disorders*

Treat under the supervision of a clinician. 

If you have a history of psychiatric episode, seek medical clearance before treating with the SYMBYX Neuro helmet. 

Insufficient supporting evidence, even-though no negative episodes have been documented.

Hypermobility and polyarthritic conditions are often accompanied by dysautonomia. 

Patient should commence a 1-2 week, half of recommended dosage under clinical supervision*. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis*

Treat with caution.

Insufficient supporting evidence, even-though no negative episodes have been documented. Patient should commence a 1-2 week, half of recommended dosage under clinical supervision*.

Stroke

Do not  treat with the SYMBYX Neuro helmet. 

You may treat with all other SYMBYX products (PDCare, PhysioCare, DermaCare, DuoCare and Pro Series Lasers),  according to SYMBYX protocols.

Light therapy improves circulation, which may cause further functional or structural deficit, even though no negative episodes have been documented. 

 

Tumour site (active primary or secondary)

Never treat over an active tumour site.

Seek medical clearance before commencing laser therapy.

 

Insufficient supporting evidence, even-though no negative episodes have been documented.

Acute head trauma and concussion 

Seek medical clearance before commencing laser therapy. 

Internal bleeding may develop over the following days and weeks after a head trauma and may be asymptomatic. As light therapy improves circulation, this can cause further functional or structural deficit, even though no negative episodes have been documented. 

Migraines* 

Treat with caution  

Do not  apply light to the head during an acute migraine episode.  

Light therapy improves circulation, which may cause further functional or structural deficit during a migraine episode, even though no negative episodes have been documented. 

Acute, severe head pain 

 

Seek medical clearance  or emergency services before commencing laser therapy. 

A formal medical diagnosis and clearance is needed before any treatment should be administered. 

* The incidence of dysautonomia is a common complication in several disorders and has been observed in patients suffering from Parkinson’s, migraine, cervicogenic headaches, Fibromyalgia, hypermobility syndromes, psychiatric disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, epilepsy, and acute polyarthritic conditions. Symptoms may include dizziness, vertigo, nausea, low blood pressure, and visual disturbances. If dysautonomia symptoms are noted during the initial 2-4 treatments with a SYMBYX device, we recommend ceasing treatment and immediately contacting Clinical Support at clinicalsupport@symbyxbiome.com. Usually, these symptoms are transient and dissipate after a 3-5 day complete rest period, followed by gradual reintroduction of the therapy under clinical supervision.  

** Patient's with a pacemaker should exercise extra caution and avoid placing the laser over their chest/heart region, even though no negative episodes have been documented.

***Please do NOT treat directly over thyroid, glands, genitalia or eyes at any time. There is insufficient supporting evidence for the treatment of these regions.

Safety glasses are provided with your purchase and should also be worn with our DuoCare 904 and ProSeries devices during treatment.