Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

I hope Zak's law and the others under consideration do not cause a false sense of security for coaches, players, and their parents.

One comment has been that 'all' the teams need are trainers to check out the players. This is a gross misunderstanding. Trainers have been a part of the problem because they do not have adequate training and tools for diagnosing concussion and when 'return to play' is safe.

The two systems currently available are the ImPACT system and the CNS Vital Signs system. Both measure reaction speed and cognitive abilities but neither can predict when the brain has healed structurally enough to reduce the risk of 'Second Impact Syndrome.'

Snowboarder Kevin Pearce was three weeks post concussion when he had his second concussion that nearly cost him his life. A situation similar to Zak's except Zak returned to play later in the same game.

The alternative medicine and other treatment systems only treat the observable symptoms. They do not treat the physical injury.

The return to studies is also not discussed except in reference to using the ImPACT system as a guide.

Read:
Self-Therapy for Head Injury
Teaching Yourself to Prevent Head-Injured Moments
by Dr. Larry Schutz
at: http://www.givebackorlando.com/hepusef/hepindex.html

His first statement is dead on:
1. Head injuries don’t heal up. The injury continues to cause problems in your life until you recognize that you have to fix it and get it done. Fixing means finding a better way to run your brain. The fix works only as long as you run it in the new way. So fixing your brain is not a job you finish doing--it’s a way of life.

I suggest that his book be downloaded and read. It is geared toward more severe head injuries but covers many of the ongoing symptoms of PCS/mTBI.

He has many excellent tips for overcoming or just learning to live with the ongoing symptoms. He can get a bit intense at times, but worth the effort.

His big effort is to Give Back to the head injured community by supporting others as they come to grips with their struggles. As he says, only the injured can make the changes to improve their life. The support of others who have been successful on this lifelong path of recovery is important.