Light therapy is not that new. Doctors for hundreds of years have used solariums to aid in recovery from disease and sickness.
The advent and use of "phototherapy" for depression, seasonal affective disorder and other vegetative symptoms started in the early 1980s. Light boxes and therapy were being developed at the behest of pioneer Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who has led the movement toward various alternatives for SAD. In Alaska, light boxes have become available at dozens of locations around the state. Among standout boxes are the Apollo and the Happy Light. Another is the North Star 10,000, developed by a Romer boat captain who has turned the light box and SAD into a viable business.
With about 35 million people nationwide suffering from some form of light-associated depression, Neil Wagner figured he couldn't go wrong starting a business around phototherapy and the light boxes. After building several lights for him and his wife - who suffers from a form of lupus - Wagner decided to seek a manufacturer to build his design.
Alaska Northern Lights, Wagner's company makes the North Star 10,000, so-called for its 10,000-lux rating. It currently is the market's brightest source and one of the least expensive boxes.
"When we entered the market five years ago, we had the lowest price, at $300 for the larger size box, Now with the advent of the Internet where we get a dozen orders a day, the price is $249 (and) the retail price is currently $330," Wagner said.
Alaska Northern Lights grosses more than $300,000 annually in sales worldwide and, according to Wagner, sales in Europe are good. Even with Buropies 220/240-volt electrical system, only a small modification to the plug and ballast are needed to use the box.
With warehouses in Newark, New Jersey, Tacoma, Wash., and Anchorage, Alaska Northern Lights has a bright future.
"The big difference between our light and the others on the market is that the ballast and reflector system adds an additional 125 percent to the bulb's brightness," Wagner said. According to Wagner the company sells about 70 boxes a year in Homer alone. But has sold over 2,000 boxes total since their start up three years ago.
In Anchorage, the North Star 10,000 - along with two other brands in various sizes - may be purchased at the Lake Otis Pharmacy. Wagner's boxes may also be found at Alaska Specialty Lighting, the Natural Pantry and Geneva Woods Pharmacy. In Fairbanks, the Nofth Star is sold at Tesco.
reprinted with permission of the author and the Alaska Journal of Commerce, where this article originally appeared.
<http://www.alaskanorthernlights.com> The Home Page of A local SAD light manufacturer/distributor.