[joshie's parents]

Hi all,

Our 5 year old son suffered a concussion a month ago and has been experiencing post-concussion syndrome symptoms. We think he fell off a large trampoline and either hit his head on the concrete or on the metal frame (we didn't see it and he doesn't remember what happened or where he was at the time). We feel terrible as it was irresponsible on our part to be letting him play in this unsafe setting at a friend's house.

His symptoms since the the concussion have been headaches (only the first week) and the second week to currently - intermittent forehead pain, disrupted sleep patterns (not sleeping as much as he used to and tired), behavioral changes (more irritable, anxious, mood swings, low tolerance for stress), zoned out, and cognitive changes (stuttering, problems with memory, delayed processing, problems with paying attention).

He is getting rest (as much as we can possibly get a 5 year old boy to rest!) and very low stimulation, and has a very healthy diet with many of the recommended supplements mentioned for brain healing.

We are strongly considering doing light therapy to help the brain heal after his concussion. The chiropractor we go to recommended using "A Perfect Light" - that uses photo-dynamic therapy and LED's to deliver safe low level light, converting light energy (Photo-Biostimulation) into cellular energy. I talked with the 49ers Team Doctor who uses this with the football players on his team (and other patients in his practice) and he has had great success with it.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Mark in Idaho]

I would stay away from any light therapies that use the eyes to stimulate the brain. "A Perfect Light" is designed to work with muscles and other tissues but not brain tissues. It is for skin repair and sports injuries/joints and muscles. It does not sound like it will help his brain. The fine injuries to the brain will not repair any faster than they do naturally.

I hope your chiro is not doing any "twist the head and pop the neck" adjustments. They are far too aggressive for a head injury, much less a 5 year old. I have extensive experience with chiros in the Santa Clara Valley. I hope you have one of the few great ones.

Try to take it slow. His young brain needs to sort this out without excessive external efforts.

My best to you and your little Joshie.

[joshie's parents]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your feedback. I have read through a lot of the posts here and appreciate how you are helping people in this forum.

Curious what your thoughts are if the light therapy is not through the eyes but applied either behind the ears or on the back of the head at the brain stem. Those are other locations (in addition to the eyes) that they use as options with "A Perfect Light".

We only took our son 1x to the chiropractor since the accident and he did twist and pop his neck. It was the first time my son has said that the adjustment bothered him (he said it hurt) - other times he has never complained. He has been working with my son since he was 2 with great success - we have only been 1 other time in the last year (went more frequently when he was younger). After reading one of your posts on upper cervical chiropractors, we looked up one in our area to find out more about it.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Mark in Idaho]

The light therapy behind the ears or at the brain stem should probably be held off for now. The NUCCA.org chiro may be better for the short term. Plus, he probably needs to deal with inflammation before stimulating blood flow to areas with inflammation. Getting the inflammation down and the atlas and other upper neck structures in alignment and stable should be the priority.

A soft ice pack works great. You can make them with 1 part isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and 3 parts water frozen in a zip lock bag. 20 minutes on, 30 to 60 minutes off as often as is convenient. Ice before any treatment and again after. You can wrap it with a dish towel to make it more bearable.

My heart goes out to you. When I see little ones struggle, it hits me deep. I spent this afternoon kid sitting some friends' 2 and 5 year old kids. It's such a precious age and should be a time of him discovering life.

My best to you.