color and health exploring the connection

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COLOR AND HEALTH – EXPLORING THE CONNECTION

COURSE DESCRIPTION The use of color in healing has a long history. A fundamental aspect of environmental design, color has also been linked to physical, psychological, and social reactions in all of its uses. Color’s characteristics can influence how it is used in healing and what effects it might produce. The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the history and use of color and healing as well as the characteristics of color, types of color therapy, and guidelines for using color in healing environments. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, you will be able to do the following:

1. Explain the brief history of the use of color in healing. 2. Describe the characteristics of color. 3. Compare and contrast the two most common color systems. 4. Discuss the impact of color. 5. Identify the healing effects of color. 6. Describe the types of color therapy. 7. Explain guidelines for the use of color in healing environments.


INTRODUCTION We all have natural reactions to color. A clear blue sky can lift our spirits. A bouquet of sunflowers can make us feel optimistic. The green grass of a meadow can make us feel relaxed and rejuvenated. A bright red car can make us feel adventurous, while a white room can leave us feeling unsettled. Our culturally learned associations and our individualized physiological and psychological makeup produce our emotional responses to color (Healthcare Design, 2011). Color has a long history in the healing arts. Because color has been linked to psychological, physiological, and social reactions in all of us, health practitioners throughout the ages have attempted to create healing environments. These do not exist automatically, but they can be created in any setting. Creating a healing environment requires attention to specific design elements, including color and lighting. When choosing a color palette, for example, designers consider the characteristics of its potential users (such as their age, culture, gender, socioeconomic background, etc.), the type of activity that may be performed in the environment, the nature and character of light sources, the geographic location and climate of the space where color is used, and the size and shape of the space in which the color is used (Bosch et al., 2013; Coalition for Health Environments Research [CHER], 2004; Healthcare Design, 2011; Tofle, Schwarz, Yoon, & Max-Royale, 2004). Although perceptual impressions of color have been demonstrated to affect an individual’s experiences and performance in certain environments, an extensive review of numerous research studies by the Coalition for Health Environments Research (CHER, 2004) found no direct one-to-one links between particular colors and health outcomes of people. Despite the lack of reproducible direct links between color and health benefits, many individuals support the use of color therapy to treat a variety of health conditions, and the use of color in healing environments remains a powerful and valuable component of design. While many healthcare providers, designers, and practitioners question the connections between color and behavior, they suspect that color can be used as a psychotherapeutic aid and they continue to search for empirical research to support the use of various color guidelines in health care. This course explores the use of color in healing and its future as an emerging therapy. HOW HUMANS SEE COLOR Color helps humans see and remember objects, influences our actions, and affects our emotions. Pigments and dyes are molecules that produce colors by the selective absorption and reflection of specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. Structural colors are different. They rely exclusively on the shape of the object and not the chemical properties. Pigments and dyes fade over time but some types of structural colors (such as those that make up tree bark, insect exoskeletons, claws, or nails) can


persist for hundreds, thousands, and even millions of years after the death of the organism (Luiggi, 2013). The visible spectrum for humans falls between ultraviolet light and red light. Humans are estimated to be able to distinguish up to 10 million colors (Mukamal, 2017; St. Clair, 2016).

Anatomy of the Eye

Copyright Retina Specialist of Western New York. Used with Permission

When light hits an object, the object absorbs some of that light and reflects the rest of it. That reflected light enters the human eye through the cornea. The cornea bends light toward the pupil (which controls the amount of light that hits the lens). The lens then focuses the light on the retina (the layer of nerve cells in the back of the eye). The retina has two different types of cells—approximately 110 million rods and about 6 million cones. Rods are activated in low or dim light while cones are stimulated in brighter environments (Mukamal, 2017; St. Clair, 2016). Cones contain photopigments, or color-detecting molecules. Humans usually have three types of photopigments—red, green, and blue. Each type of cone is sensitive to different wavelengths of visible light. In daytime, cones send signals from an object along the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain, which processes the number of cones activated and the strength of their signal. In darker environments, the rods send signals to the brain. Once the brain processes the nerve impulses, we see the color (Mukamal, 2017). While color is derived from physical form, the human eye and brain interpret color in terms of brightness and contrast. The amount of light also dramatically affect the interpretation of color (Bosch, et al., 2013).


Color blindness occurs when one or more of the cone types are not functioning effectively. Cones can be absent, nonfunctioning, or they can detect a different color than normal. Red-green color blindness is the most common form, followed by blue-yellow color blindness. Men are more likely to have color blindness than women (Mukamal, 2017). Research has shown that up to 12% of females have four cone types in their retinas, versus the normal three types. This means that these individuals can perceive up to 100 times more colors than those with the normal three cone types. In addition, many birds, insects, and fish have four types of cones so they can see ultraviolet light. Dogs and other animals have fewer types and numbers of cones so may see fewer colors than humans see (Mukamal, 2017). The body and mind’s responses to color are influenced by cortical activation, the autonomic nervous system, and hormone activation. Color can affect heart rate, brainwave activity, respiration, and muscular tension. It can also evoke memories and associations, encourage introversion or extroversion, and induce anger or peacefulness (Venolia, 1995). In fact, color therapy is based on these effects. A BRIEF HISTORY OF COLOR AND HEALING Color, one of the most powerful elements in our environment, affects us in many ways. Color is often the first thing we see when we walk into a room, and changing an area’s color can affect its ambiance and “personality.” Color is present in logos, clothing, a person’s eyes, skin, and hair, the food we eat, and items we use every day. We consider color to be a fundamental fact of an object—a red Corvette, a pink flamingo, or a blue sky. But our perception of color is malleable and relies heavily on biological processes in both the eyes and the brain. The brain processes an object’s shape and color in two separate pathways and, though an object’s shape and color are


often linked, the neural representation of the color can survive without the shape (Harms, 2009).

© 2012 Mike Koopsen

Reprinted with Permission

The use of color to heal has ancient roots. As early as Neanderthal times, color was used for its sacred powers and to invoke aid and protection. According to Eliopoulos (2014), the history of color therapy dates from 1550 BC, when Egyptian priests used papyrus manuscripts to demonstrate how they used color in their healing temples. Ancient Greeks used colors in healing, and colored cloth was used to treat disease in the Middle Ages (Venolia, 1995). The Greeks gave a lot of thought to the physical rather than the metaphysical nature of color. Previously, the ancients looked at color as a phenomenon associated with spirituality. For example, color emanated from a deity or shone as an aura. While Pythagoras (c. 570–490 BC) believed in the four elements (fire, water, earth, and air), Aristotle (384–322 BC) assigned colors to them and Greeks wore white garments to support pleasant dreams. Hippocrates (c. 460–370 BC) ultimately abandoned the spiritual aspects of color therapy and focused on the clinical and diagnostic aspects that form the foundations of modern medicine (Birren, 2013; Natural Health Productions, 2017). The ancient Chinese identified five elements that corresponded to specific colors: yellow for earth, black for water, red for fire, green for wood, and white for metal (Birren, 2013; Natural Health Productions, 2017). During the Middle Ages, one of the greatest leaders in medicine was an Arabian named Avicenna (980–1037). A disciple of Aristotle, Avicenna diagnosed patients according to the color of their hair, skin, eyes, excrement, and urine. At that time, many healers still believed in the mystical power of color. Because they thought disease came mysteriously from nature, they believed the potent hues of nature could also combat illness. They considered precious and semiprecious stones, chosen for their colors, to be particularly therapeutic in the healing process. For example, they mixed amber with


honey for earaches and eye issues. They used amethyst to cure gout and support pleasant dreams. They believed coral could overcome sterility, they used jade to assist with childbirth, and they believed garnet relieved skin eruptions. These superstitions have not entirely disappeared (Birrin, 2006).

Amethyst Crystal

In modern times, Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was known to incorporate color as a therapeutic tool by providing bright flowers in the rooms of her patients (Rubert, Long, & Hutchinson, 2007). In 1878, Edwin Babbitt wrote a book on color therapy, or chromotherapy, (called Principles of Light and Color), which was met with both praise and skepticism. In 1892, Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen of Denmark reported the successful use of red light to prevent scar formation from smallpox. He was given the Nobel Prize in 1903 for his pioneering work with light therapy after healing tubercular skin lesions with ultraviolet light (Natural Health Productions, 2017). In the early 1900s, Dinshaw Ghadiali developed spectro-chrome tonation, a system of attuned color waves used to treat a variety of ailments. This therapy was finally accepted by the American Medical Association after 40 years of use (CHER, 2004). In the 1920s, Dr. Kate Baldwin, the Senior Surgeon of Women’s Hospital in Philadelphia, used color therapy extensively. Hazel Parcells, a leading naturopathic physician in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century also used color therapy to heal her patients. She died peacefully at the age of 106 in 1996 (Natural Health Productions, 2017). Light therapy (especially in the blue-green spectrum) has been used for decades to treat infants with hyperbilirubinemia. The light changes the shape and structure of bilirubin molecules in such a way that they can be excreted in the stool and urine (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004). More recently, Kirlian photography, accidentally discovered in 1939 by Russians Semyon and Valentina Kirlian, is a photographic technique that involves shooting a high voltage charge through an object that is connected to a photographic plate. The resulting image includes a colored “aura” around the object (Sherwin, 2016).


Kirlian photography has a long history of association with New Age metaphysics and the theory of “auras.” The metaphysics believe that the auras represent the “life force” of objects being photographed and that all living things emit an invisible aura. Dr. Thelma Moss of the University of California Los Angels (UCLA) explored the implications of Kirlian effects during the 1970s, and some of the most famous Kirlian photographs were shot in her laboratory. Today, the controversy remains. Scientists generally believe that physical phenomena (such as water molecules), rather than life forces, best explain the Kirlian effect (Sherwin, 2016).

Kirlian Photograph of Hand

CHARACTERISTICS OF COLOR

Visible Light Spectrum

Sir Isaac Newton observed in the late 17th century that a beam of white light contained all the visible colors and could be separated into seven hues: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet (ROYGBIV). Newton is believed to have arbitrarily assigned the seven hues to the spectrum as a parallel to the seven notes of the musical scale (CHER, 2004). Berlin and Kay (1999) speculated that Newton “saw” only seven colors because of linguistic limitations and that, in reality, there were not enough color names to describe all the hues Newton actually saw. We now know the human eye can discern among several million colors of various hues, saturations, and values. The Optical Society of America classifies a range of between 7.5 and 10 million hues that the human eye can distinguish (CHER, 2004).


All colors have three dimensions (Bradley, 2013; CHER, 2004):

➢ Hue—the attribute of the color by which it is distinguished from another color ➢ Saturation—the purity or intensity of a hue (also called a chroma) ➢ Value—the lightness or darkness of the hue ➢ Lightness—the relative degree of black or white mixed with a given hue ➢ Temperature—the perceived warmth or coolness of a color

Human eyes can see color because most surfaces have the ability to absorb certain wavelengths of light, some of which are reflected back into our eyes. Our brains interpret the reflected light as a certain color or hue. Since the interpretation depends on individual mood and associations, the perception of color depends on the following (CHER, 2004):

• The color makeup of the light

• The surface material off of which the light is reflected

• The health and age of the viewer’s eyes

• The unique physiological and psychological makeup of each person COLOR SYSTEMS

When using color in healing environments, most architects and designers rely on well-trusted color systems. Several color systems are used today but the two most famous are the Munsell Color System and the Ostwald System (Bradley, 2013; CHER, 2004).

➢ Munsell Color System – Developed by American Albert H. Munsell (1858–1918) at the end of the 19th century, this system is perhaps the most widely used method of color specification in interior design. Each color has a place on a 10-


color wheel divided into five principal and five intermediary hues. The hues are assigned an identification such red, orange, red-yellow, yellow, yellow-green, green, green-blue, blue, blue-violet, violet, red-violet. Another dimension of color (value) is depicted on an upright center axis of the scale, designated as equal steps of grays, ranging from light to dark. The third dimension (chroma or saturation) is identified on paths leading from the center of the scale to its perimeter and numbered from 1 (low) to 12 (maximum). Thus, in a Munsell rating of 5R 4/6, the first number indicates the hue (red), the second the value rating (4), and the third number is the chroma (6).

Example of the Munsell Color System © 2007 Jacob Rus


➢ The Ostwald Color System – Developed by German chemist and philosopher

Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald (1853–1932) at the end of the 19th century, this system consists of a double-cone color system. The hues are located at the equator, which is divided into 24 different tonalities.


One Example of the Ostwald Color System © 2005 Kolosses


THE IMPACT OF COLOR The visible spectrum of light contains seven major colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (ROYGBIV). These seven visible colors are often associated with specific emotions and conditions. However, color alone does not make an individual “active,” “relaxed,” or “contemplative.” Colors, in and of themselves, do not contain inherent emotional triggers. Emotional responses to color are caused by culturally learned associations and by each person’s unique physiological and psychological makeup. The following table provides a general overview of each of the major colors of the visible spectrum and some of the most common responses attributed to them. This information requires further research and serves as a guideline for the use of color in health care (Austus Media, 2017; Birren, 2013; Bosch et al., 2013; Cousins, 2012; Eliopoulos, 2014; Leddy, 2006; Natural Health Productions, 2017; Rowles, 2017; Tofle et al., 2004; Venolia, 1995; Wang, 2015; Wills, 2014):

Red

A primary color located at the infrared end of the visible light spectrum, red is associated with high energy, passion, excitement, and the nature symbol of earth. It has the longest wavelength and lowest energy of all visible light. Red is associated with the root chakra and sex organs (located at the end of the spine, or coccyx). In Asian cultures, red symbolizes good luck, joy, prosperity, celebration, and a long life. In the many cultures throughout the world, red evokes feelings of


danger and caution. Red is considered one of the most interesting colors in healing. It is found in the lore of many ancient medicinal texts and in the superstitions of many healing systems. Scarlet cloth has been used to stop bleeding, thwart smallpox, cure scarlet fever, and overcome nightmares. In ancient China, rubies were worn to prolong life. Red is used where there is a lack of vitality or where there is congestion. Some believe that an “excess of red” can result in stubbornness, quick temper, resentment, and aggression. Red is vibrates 436 trillion times per second.

Orange

Associated with emotional expression, courage, optimism, warmth, happiness, and the nature symbol of sunset, the color orange is believed to increase the pulse rate but not the blood pressure. Orange is associated with the sacral chakra. Orange is also believed to activate all senses and stimulate the thyroid and bone growth as well as increase energy in the lungs, kidneys, and stomach and intestinal tract. Some believe that an “excess of orange” can result in confusion, lethargy, and pessimism. In Hinduism, saffron is considered auspicious and sacred. In the Netherlands, orange is the color of the Dutch Royal family. In Columbia, orange represents sexuality and fertility. In Eastern cultures, it symbolizes humility, good health, and love. Orange vibrates 473 trillion times per second.

Yellow

Associated with optimism, intellect, enlightenment, happiness, and mental clarity, yellow is used as a stimulant for the muscles, lymph glands, and digestive organs. It is considered the color of the mind and can raise low-energy emotional states of depression, apathy, and discouragement. Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra. Some believe that an “excess of yellow” can result in lack of concentration or a desire to be devious. In ancient times, yellow was believed to cure jaundice. Gold coins, yellow turnips, saffron, yellow spiders rolled in butter, and gold beads are just some of the remedies used to cure jaundice. Bits of gold were sprinkled on food as a safeguard against poisoning.


In Germany, yellow represents envy but in Egypt, it conveys happiness and good fortune. Yellow vibrates 510 trillion times per second.

Green

Green is the master color, found in the middle of the spectrum. Green is associated with the heart chakra, the center of unselfish and unconditional love. Green is believed to be the stabilizing, calming, and cooling color for many physical ailments and is used in many forms (such as painted walls, art, or furnishings) to reduce tension. It is associated with healing, peace, balance, nurturing, unconditional love, and the nature symbol of growth. Some believe that an “excess of green” can result in envy, jealousy, insecurity, or lack of motivation. In Mexico, green stands for independence. In the Middle East, green represents fertility, new life, luck, and wealth. In China, green hats are taboo for men because it can signal that their wives have committed adultery. Green vibrates 584 trillion times per second.

Blue

Associated with relaxation, serenity, wisdom, spirituality, loyalty, calming, and the nature symbol of sky and ocean, blue increases the elimination of toxins and stimulates intuitive powers. Blue is often associated with the throat chakra (energy center).

Blue is believed to increase vitality; it is the color of the spirit, and it activates the pineal gland. Some believe that an “excess of blue” can result in doubt, apathy, and melancholy. In North America and Europe represents trust, security, and authority. In other countries, such as Turkey, Greece, Iran, Afghanistan, and Albania, blue is believed to protect against the “evil eye.” In Hinduism, blue is strongly associated with Krishna, who embodies love and divine joy.

Blue vibrates 658 trillion times per second.

Indigo

Associated with meditation, intuition, spirituality, indigo is a cooling color believed to activate the parathyroid and calm the thyroid. Indigo is associated with the brow chakra.

Indigo is used for its perceived anesthetic effects, it is believed to reduce swelling, and it is generally calming. Some believe that an “excess of indigo” can result in arrogance, intolerance, and inconsiderate behavior.


Indigo vibrates 695 trillion times per second.

Violet

With the shortest wavelength of the visible colors, violet is believed to calm the metabolic process, relax muscles, and possess antibiotic characteristics. Violet is associated with the crown chakra.

It aids in meditation and sleep and may act as a pain reliever. Some believe that an “excess of violet” can result in impracticality, boredom, arrogance, secret behavior, vanity, and moodiness.

Violet is associated with spirituality, universal power and healing, and stress reduction. In Brazil and Thailand, this is the color of mourning but is also the color of honor (i.e., the Purple Heart). Violet vibrates 731 trillion times per second.

Two other colors also merit discussion. White, in Western cultures, is associated with purity, elegance, peace, and cleanliness (i.e., wedding dresses worn by brides). In China and Korea, and some other Asian countries, white represents death, mourning, and bad luck and is traditionally worn at funerals (Wang, 2015). Black, in many cultures, symbolizes sophistication and formality but can also represent death, evil, mourning, magic, fierceness, bad luck, and mystery. In the Middle East, black can represent both rebirth and mourning. In Africa, black can symbolize age, maturity, and masculinity (Wang, 2015). HEALING BENEFITS OF COLOR

Multiple studies have demonstrated the impact of nature views (including views of colorful flowers, verdant foliage of many shades, gardens, etc.) on health and healing. For example, within only 3 to 5 minutes, exposure to nature or natural views can result in positive psychological, emotional, and physiological changes such as the following (McCaffrey, 2007; McUsic, 2006; National Wildlife Federation, 2012; Ulrich, 2002):

• Increased positive feelings and calmness

• Reduced negativity, fear, anger,


anxiety, irritability, depression, or sadness

• Reduced blood pressure, heart rate, heart activity, muscle tension, and brain electrical activity

• Decreased headaches, digestive disorders (including nausea), and chronic pain

• Decreased pain medication use

• Decreased postoperative complications

• Reduced symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Improved cognition, creativity, and critical thinking skills However, these studies do not specifically address the issue of color and health. Despite anecdotal evidence, after an extensive review of numerous research studies, the Coalition for Health Environments Research (CHER, 2004) found no direct links between particular colors and health outcomes of people. Perceptual impressions of color have been demonstrated to affect an individual’s experiences and performance in certain environments. For example, certain colors can evoke a sense of spaciousness or confinement and can evoke moods (such as tranquility or passivity), but colors themselves do not contain inherent emotional triggers. The emotional responses to color are caused by culturally learned associations and by the unique and very individualized physiological and psychological makeup of individuals. Nature often provides inspiration but how color affects and influences us is still open to controversy. The study of color in healthcare settings is therefore challenging because it occurs in a context of settings, personalities, and situations. Research of the use of color in environments is important and ongoing (CHER, 2004). The following is a brief description of some of the major studies regarding human responses to color properties.

➢ Goldstein (1942) observed different responses in patients with Parkinson’s disease and other organic diseases of the central nervous system when they were exposed to green or red colors. Red worsened the pathology of Goldstein’s patients while green seemed to improve it. Other researchers have been unable to replicate these findings (CHER, 2004).

➢ Ali (1972) found that subjects were aroused when exposed to red versus blue light and concluded that higher cortical arousal and skin conductance took place in red light environments.

➢ Jacobs and Suess (1975) investigated the effects of color on anxiety and found

higher anxiety scores when subjects were exposed to red and yellow color slides than when they were exposed to green and blue slides.

➢ Pratesi, Agati, and Fusi (1989) explored the impact of phototherapy for the treatment of newborns with hyperbilirubinemia. High-performance liquid chromotherapy techniques (with a spectral range between 480 and 510 nanometers) were considered optimal.


➢ Aging changes color preferences and may be attributed to alterations in color discrimination and visual imagery, the yellowing of the crystalline lens, and the decreased function of the blue cone mechanism of the eye with aging (Dittmar, 2001).

➢ Colors and the use of textures (such as wood) can support the aging individual in

safe and effective wayfinding (Bosch et al., 2013; Brush et al., 2015).

➢ Black-and-white computer screens and combinations of black, white, and/or red signage are difficult for those who are aging or those with dementia to differentiate (Bosch et al., 2013; Marquardt, 2011). For example, studies have shown that individuals with dementia who enter an imaging room with a dark floor can perceive that they are stepping into hole in the ground and become agitated (Bosch et al., 2013).

➢ Children and adolescents prefer bright colors and artwork and prefer the use of

white the least in healthcare spaces (Bosch et al., 2013).

Infant Undergoing Phototherapy for Hyperbilirubinemia

➢ Lighting in a neonatal intensive care unit requires carefully chosen materials,

lighting, and colors as they can influence the clinicians’ assessment of the child’s skin color, cardiovascular status, and respiratory status (Bosch et al., 2013).

➢ An extensive review of multiple other findings determined that there are not yet any reproducible direct links between color and health benefits (CHER, 2004).

TYPES OF COLOR THERAPY

Color therapy uses colors for their proposed healing abilities to treat emotional and physical disturbances. Despite the lack of reproducible direct links between color and health benefits, many individuals support the use of color therapy to treat a variety of health conditions because they believe it heals:


• Some practitioners believe that color therapy deals with disease by treating the body’s etheric field (a localized field of organized energy that surrounds the body).

• According to Leddy (2006), color therapy is based on the concept that disease (a chemical imbalance) and an inappropriate energy vibration are equivalent. Today we know that all the cells in the body vibrate. Vibrating colors generate fields of energy. Each color has its own wavelength, or vibration, and specific vibrations can raise, lower, or neutralize energy levels. Some combinations of vibrations are harmonizing, some are neutralizing, and some distort each other. Every organ has a specific energy level at which it functions best. There are many types of color therapy; several are discussed in the following sections.

Chromotherapy Chromotherapy (color therapy) is an ancient method of treatment that uses the visible light spectrum (colors) of electromagnetic radiation to cure diseases. According to ancient Egyptian mythology, chromotherapy was discovered by the god Thoth. Ancient cultures used colored minerals, stones, crystals, salves, and dyes as remedies for many types of diseases, and they painted sanctuaries in various color shades believed to be healing (Azeemi & Raza, 2005). In the 19th century, Edwin Babbitt became one of the pioneers of chromotherapy. He used direct and indirect methods of color treatment, identifying red as a stimulant of the blood and blue and violet as soothing and reducing inflammation in all body systems. He developed various devices such as a special cabinet called a thermolume (in which colored glass and natural light produced colors) and a chrome disk (a funnel fitted with a special filter), which he used to focus light onto various parts of the body to treat health conditions (Azeemi & Raza, 2005). Little evidence exists to support Babbitt’s claims that the thermolume was effective in treating ailments. By the 20th century, Dinshaw Ghadiali supported the growth of chromotherapy through his discovery of the scientific principles that explain why and how various rays of color might therapeutically benefit the body. Later, color therapy and energy healing would intertwine and become associated with chakras (energy centers in the body through which energy flows to various organs and structures) (Azeemi & Raza, 2005):


Chakras

Today, chromotherapy is used purposefully to help balance the body (create homeostasis) and uses “prescribed” colors to support health depending on a person’s individual makeup and current health issues (Color Psychology, 2016). Chromotherapy practitioners believe color can correct energy imbalances, which are the cause of disease. Specific colors or lights are applied to the body’s chakras depending on the effect desired (Hattangadi, 2015). Esogetic Colorpuncture Therapy The use of colored light as a treatment modality is a rapidly growing area of experimentation for many acupuncturists (Schweitzer, Gilpin, & Frampton, 2004). Esogetic Colorpuncture™ was created by German scientist and naturopath Peter Mandel as a method that focuses colored light impulses on acupuncture and other points on the skin to energize healing impulses in the physical and energetic bodies (Colorpuncture.com, 2012). The typical session takes approximately 60 minutes and the number of treatments varies with the condition being treated. Recent studies have investigated the use of Esogetic Colorpuncture therapy (ECT) to treat a variety of difficult health problems, including childhood insomnia, bronchitis, attention deficit disorder (ADD), learning disorders, migraines, and uterine fibroids. While the sample sizes in the studies were small, every study showed dramatic improvement of symptoms after ECT treatments. The studies suggest that ECT may offer fast, economical, noninvasive, and nontoxic methods for treating the selected

Red—root chakra

Orange—sacral chakra

Yellow—solar plexus chakra

Green—heart chakra

Blue—throat chakra

Indigo—brow chakra

Violet—crown chakra

White—perfect color blend


health problems. ECT continues to show promise as a powerful method of holistic healing (Croke & Bourne, 1999). Ocular Light Therapy

Ocular light therapy, in which light is projected through colored filters into the eyes, is emerging as an intriguing form of therapy, although current research results remain mixed (Wolffsohn, Dinardo, & Vingrys, 2002). Eye care practitioners use tinted lenses to help individuals with low vision. Tinted lenses can maximize the use of residual vision, improve visual function, control glare, and improve orientation and mobility and are used in individuals with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, cone dystrophy, and oculocutaneous albinism (Eperjesi, Fowler, & Evans, 2002).

Also used in the treatment of psychological and psychosomatic disorders, ocular light therapy is believed to result in photocurrent stimulation of the cortical and hypothalamic systems of the brain, increasing brain energy, opening neural pathways, and improving intellectual capacity as well as mental, emotional, and physical well-being (Deppe, 2000; Schweitzer et al., 2004). THE USE OF COLOR IN HEALING ENVIRONMENTS While the evidence-based research regarding the use of color and health is fragmented, sporadic, conflicting, anecdotal, and loosely tested, the use of color in healing environments remains a powerful and valuable component of design. Yet, a number of new healthcare facilities in the recent past are devoid of color and are aesthetically bland. Why? Some experts feel that colors may be “trendy” and so choose a safe, white, color (Bosch et al., 2013). Many healthcare providers, designers, and practitioners in the field, while questioning the connections between color and behavior, still suspect that color can be used as a psychotherapeutic aid and they continue to search for empirical research to support the use of various color guidelines in health care (Tofle et al., 2004).


When choosing color for a healing space, designers, users, patients, and practitioners must consider the needs and ages of specific populations as well as personal preferences, cultures, clinical conditions, geographic location, practices, and uses of the space. The following recommendations for using color in healthcare environments are only guidelines (Bosch et al., 2013; Leddy, 2006; Leibrock, 2011; Long, 2001; Neumann & Mensik, 1993; Silvis, 2012).

• Warm colors (such as peach, soft yellows, or coral) are used to stimulate the appetite and may encourage alertness, joy, optimism, creativity, and socialization; these colors are useful in areas such as dining rooms and meeting spaces.

VIP Room at Eisenhower Medical Center, CA

© 2012 Jain Malkin, Inc. Reprinted with Permission

• Cool colors (such as blues and greens) are calming and provide a sense of tranquility. These colors are often balanced by warm colors as well as neutrals (such as beiges and wood tones) to create a sense of tranquility.

• Light colors often make a room appear more spacious.

• Blues, greens, and other cool colors are useful in areas designed to be restful, contemplative, and quiet (such as waiting rooms or meditation areas).

• Primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and strong patterns are pleasing at first but can be overstimulating, can cause a sense of anxiety, and may contribute


to fatigue. Red, for some, may be associated with blood, emergencies, or trauma.

• Individuals with color blindness have difficulty distinguishing between green and red.

• Green symbolizes growth, renewal, hope, healing, and peace, and may reduce tension and nervousness.

Community Hospital North, Indianapolis, IN

© 2012 The Sky Factor Reprinted with Permission

• Yellow, green, and purple tones may not be flattering to the skin and reflect jaundiced skin tones.

• Texture makes tones appear darker.

• Intense colors should be used only for accents (such as door frames, levers, switches, or grab bars).

• The brain requires constant stimulation. Monotonous color schemes contribute to sensory deprivation, disorganization of brain function, deterioration of intelligence, and an inability to concentrate. They slow the healing process and are perceived as institutional.


• Color affects an individual’s perception of time, size, weight, and volume. Rooms where pleasant activities take place (such as dining or recreation) benefit by having warm color schemes, because the activity seems to last longer. In rooms where monotonous tasks are performed, a cool color scheme can make time seem to pass more quickly.

The following color considerations are important when considering specific uses of healthcare spaces (Bosch et al., 2013; Wade, 2017).

• Patient rooms should be calm and relaxing. Ideally, blues and the use of biophilia (windows that overlook gardens or other scenic views; artwork with trees, mountains, or beaches) can improve patient perception and satisfaction with the overall healthcare experience. Art can also be a way to use color to create the illusion of distance, size, and a cue for wayfinding.

• Waiting rooms and lobbies need to be comfortable. Soothing earth tones, turquoise, and shades of blue relax and calm often-anxious patients and family members.

• Physical therapy centers treat patients with a variety of neurological, musculoskeletal, and other medical conditions. In these locations, bright and bold colors can promote energy and increase stimulation. Walls can feature neutral and relaxing colors while a feature wall can be painted blue, purple, or even red. Different colored exercise floor matting can encourage patients to continue to push through difficult exercises.

Other important factors to consider when selecting color for the healthcare environment include:

• An understanding of the healing properties of color


• An understanding of the importance of color in relation to food (for patients and staff)

• The creation of a balanced color palette

• The use of artwork

• The use of a variety of materials, finishes, and lighting

• Access to outdoor views

SUMMARY While the direct link between color and health has not yet been firmly established, there is no doubt that color impacts our lives and our perceptions. Despite the lack of reproducible direct links between color and health benefits, many individuals support the use of color therapy to treat a variety of health conditions, and the use of color in healing environments remains a powerful and valuable component of design.


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