pivotal in maintaining consciousness and regulating the sleep cycle, heart rate, breathing and metabolism. Mild TBI and cer-vical dysfunction often go hand in hand. LLLT has been ef-fectively used to treat acute and chronic neck pain. 20,21,22 Treat-ment of the cervical spine may positively affect the brain stem, cerebrospinal fluid and blood circulation of the cerebral hemi-spheres, thereby reducing the effects of the initial trauma. CHRONIC POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME CASE A 64-year-old woman presented with post-concussion syndrome 10 years subsequent to a motor vehicle accident. She experienced a number of post-concussion symptoms following the accident including cognitive impairment, visual disturbances, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, numbness/tingling, emotional in-stability and sensory deficits. She was also experiencing severe pain in her cervical and lumbar spine including right-sided sci-atic pain which she described as “knife-like”. A course of LLLT over a period of eight weeks – during which no concomitant therapy was being performed – eliminated or, in the case of some symptoms, markedly improved the severity of her symptoms as documented by the Pain Visual Analogue Scale23 (severity of pain rated on a scale of one to 10) and the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (in which the patient reports the severity of 22 symptoms on a scale of 0 (none) to six (severe)). The application of the treatment was focused on the cervical and lumbar spine regions and used a combination of superluminous diode arrays (red light, 750 mW and infrared light, 1500 mW) and a laser probe (infrared light, 180 mW). The patient’s pain levels steadily decreased over the course of treatment. An initial pain level of none was reduced to a three by the end of the course of treatment. Her overall score on the Post Concussion Symptom Scale (mentioned above) was initially 73/132. This was reduced by 83 per cent to a score of 12/132 by the end of treatment. Several symptoms that she had initially rated in the severe category were reduced to mild or non-existent levels, including dizziness, fatigue, feeling emotional, numbness or tin-gling, feeling mentally foggy and difficulty concentrating. CONCLUSION For many years, LLLT has been effectively used to treat patients for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, most notably cervical and lumbar spine conditions, arthritis and repetitive stress injuries. Preliminary scientific research, including animal studies and case reports, along with the case studies presented here, suggests that LLLT may be an effective treatment option for patients with post-concussion syndrome. However, larger controlled studies are war-ranted to establish this therapy as a viable option for some of the symptoms that patients experience following episodes of trauma to the brain. This technology may provide a therapeutic treatment option to a condition that is in dire need of a solution. Affiliations: Dr. Yuen is an independent chiropractor and not affiliated with Meditech International Inc. Dr. Kahn and Dr. Saraga are affiliated with Meditech International, the makers of the Bio-Flex Laser Therapy System. • To view this article with references, please click on the Current Issue page of www.canadianchiropractor.ca. HOMECOMING 13 20 June 7 – 8 at CMCC Connecting Friends & Memories Join us for a full weekend of events including: President's BBQ, Anniversary Luncheon, Governors' Club Lunch & Grand Reception. Celebrating anniversaries in 2013: Classes of ’53, ’58, ’63, ’68, ’73, ’78, ’83, ’88, ’93, ‘98, ‘03, ‘08, and ‘12. Enhance your practice through the diagnosis and expert management of complex chiropractic cases by attending the Homecoming Continuing Education Program. Event information: 416 482 2340 ext. 200 or www.cmcc.ca/homecoming Class representative information: 1 800 669 2959/416 482 2340 ext. 146 or [email protected] Location: CMCC and The Westin Prince Hotel, Toronto. For reservations call 1 866 912 4129. Ask for the “social rate” to reserve the special discounted rate of only $149. For more detailed information please refer to www.westinprincetoronto.com. Register by May 3 for a chance to win a free night at The Westin Prince during your stay. CMCC Bloor Campus 1945-68 Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Media Sponsor www.canadianchiropractor.ca CANADiAN CHiROPRACTOR | APRIL 2013 • 17
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