Close

COVID-19 is placing stress on Canada's public health system. Our clinic is starting to offer virtual care to make sure that we can continue to care for our patients safely and effectively. This means that we will be using video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Some of these technologies are provided by the Province. Others have been provided by vendors like Google, or Apple to help make discussions with your care provider as easy as possible during these difficult times. Some health concerns can be addressed with virtual care alone, but in some cases your doctor may ask you to visit a hospital or other health care facility if necessary, for a physical examination.

We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:

Understand that emails, calls, or texts you receive are not secure in the same way as a private appointment in an exam room.

Use a private computer/device (i.e., not an employer's or third party's computer/device), secure accounts, and a secure internet connection. For example, using a personal and encrypted email account is more secure than an unencrypted email account, and your access to the Internet on your home network will generally be more secure than an open guest Wi-Fi connection.

You should also understand that electronic communication is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for attending the Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).

If you are concerned about using video or audio tools for virtual care, you can ask our office to arrange for you to visit a different healthcare provider or other health care center where you can be seen in person. However, please note that visiting a health care provider in person comes with a higher risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 and the possibility of spreading the virus.

By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) in order to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used (identify all that apply): email, videoconferencing (including Skype, Facetime, etc.), text messaging (including instant messaging), website/portal, OnCall.

Close

April 1, 2020

A note to our patients. We have suspended all in-office visits at this time due to COVID 19. However, if you have an appointment currently booked with our office you will receive a call 2 days prior to that appointments. We will advise you how we will be able to proceed. Wishing you and your family safety and vitality during this challenging time.

If you need a renewal your prescriptions during the COVID-19 #stayathome period, please have your pharmacy fax your renewal request. Our fax number is 905-639-7647. Be well!

Update About Our Office During This Outbreak of Corona Virus : March 15, 2020

On the advice of the Ministry of Health we are changing our office protocols to ensure minimization of risk to our patients and our staff.

Starting the week of March 16, 2020 we will try to change as many patients visits as we can to virtual electronic visits. Initially most will be by phone. There are some patients who have already made arrangements to come to the office and, if they do, we will see them, once again minimizing risks by using frequent hand washing and minimized personal contact.

For the majority of scheduled patients we will set up visits through OnCall Health. One of the problems with phone visits is that each person requires individualized attention and some visits unexpectedly may take longer than others. We will make every effort to keep on schedule but at times we may be delayed.

Dr Lawrence Komer
Medical Director
The Komer Clinics

Close

Due to high volume of patients, the Komercare Clinics are not accepting new patients for brain health, women's health, and men's health. Watch this site for updates about when we can again take new patients.



No new patients | COVID-19 Annoucement | Office Updates
Close

POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME

HomePOST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME

Almost all the patients I see have post-concussion syndrome. They have been seen by neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. The reason they have been referred to me is because they are not completely better. As a matter of fact, many of the patients are only slightly improved from their initial injuries. They seem to have “hit the wall” in their recovery.
I have seen 100-page protocols for looking after post-concussion syndrome that make no mention of brain hormones at all. Some of the others suggest that brain hormones should be checked but that is the only reference to them, and there are no guidelines.
Research shows that many patients with brain injuries have hormonal abnormalities. The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are responsible for hormone production and function.

Hormone changes should not be a surprise. These organs are located in your head. Your head was hit. These organs are not working optimally now. Correcting the hormones is not rocket science. However, it is good brain science!

The problem here is that many of the traditional professionals looking after concussions, and brain injuries are not experts in Interventional Endocrinology (the science of detecting hormone abnormalities and optimizing them).

As stated previously, it is vital that the medical community understand that some of these early hormone abnormalities are temporary, whereas new hormone problems can become apparent later. Within three months after brain injury, 56% of patients have abnormal pituitary function and abnormal hormone levels. At one year, 36% of patients still persist with poor hormone levels. 1

When I have lectured to professionals and discussed the findings, most are very surprised. Many are happy to learn that there is another area where the patients may be helped. However, many physicians looking after brain injuries have no training in these areas. It is part of my goal to continue lecturing and educating all professionals about the need for optimal hormone levels for optimum brain chemistry and function, and for healthier happier patients.

The other important new information is that the brain becomes inflamed with an injury. This should come as no surprise. Everyone realizes that if you break a finger, there is going to be a process of swelling and inflammation. However, this inflammation usually slowly heals on its own. The brain is different. The inflammation can continue for years and even decades after the initial injury.
The smoldering coals of inflammation, if unchecked, inevitably lead to the damaging flames that cause cognitive, emotional, and neural degeneration.

It may well be that this inflammation makes the brain more vulnerable to greater damage with each successive injury.

What does this mean to someone with concussion or TBI?

It means that if you have not had a thorough hormonal workup by an
expert, your testing is not complete. If you have hormone abnormalities (and remember only optimal levels are acceptable), you may still have new treatments, which can improve you considerably.

Having broken hormones is worse than having two broken legs. Nobody would expect you to run a mile on fractured limbs, but they cannot see broken hormones. Their expectation is that everything is fine, and you should be able to do everything and feel well. This absolutely is not the case. Broken hormones are as legitimate as broken legs and the damage they do is much worse. Let’s fix those hormones.

As we have noted before, if you have not been treated specifically for brain inflammation, your treatment has not been complete. Reducing the brain inflammation improves the toxic environment in which the brain is working. When this happens, the brain has a much greater ability to heal itself. This is known as brain plasticity.

Your brain can still improve!

And so, what is the new hope?

We have found two major problems in your brain: abnormal hormone levels and inflammation. These have not been treated. They are fixable.

There is new hope.

Phone: 905-639-2571
Fax: 905-639-7647
Cedar Springs Medical Professional Centre 960 Cumberland Ave. Suite E
Burlington, ON Canada L7N 3J6
© Komer Brain Science Institute 2024 All Rights Reserved