1314 - Use of Phoenix Thera-Lase Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Refractory Sinus-Type Headaches: A Case Report

Case Diagnosis: Chronic sinus-type headache with overlapping migraine features, refractory to standard medical and surgical management

Case Description:

A 61-year-old woman presented with a decade-long history of pressure-type headaches localized to the orbital and frontal regions, accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Standard treatments, including medications, sinus surgery, physical therapy, and other conservative therapies, provided only limited or transient relief. Imaging revealed chronic sinonasal inflammation and anatomical variants contributing to impaired sinus drainage. The patient underwent ten sessions of Phoenix Thera-Lase photobiomodulation therapy over four years, targeting the frontal, cervical paraspinal, and trapezius regions. Following her initial treatments, she reported reduced headache intensity and was able to resume daily activities for three months. Subsequent sessions further decreased severity and extended symptom-free intervals up to ten months. Post-treatment, she described headaches as less frequent, less severe, and no longer function-limiting. No adverse effects were reported.

Discussions:

This case demonstrates the potential role of photobiomodulation therapy in patients with refractory sinus-type headaches. By modulating pain pathways, improving microcirculation, and reducing inflammation, the therapy provided sustained functional improvement and symptom reduction. While the absence of consistent objective pain scores is a limitation, increasing treatment intervals and patient-reported outcomes provided meaningful real-world evidence of efficacy. This case underscores the importance of exploring noninvasive modalities for headache disorders resistant to conventional medical and surgical care.

Conclusions:

Phoenix Thera-Lase photobiomodulation therapy resulted in substantial and sustained improvement in headache frequency, severity, and quality of life for this patient. Its noninvasive nature, favorable safety profile, and multi-mechanistic action suggest it may serve as a valuable adjunct for refractory headache syndromes. Further studies are warranted to establish treatment protocols and identify patients most likely to benefit.