Back row: Nora Klaus( PSR), Annette Harlan( MA), Chris Duston( MA), Jaci Radosta( PSR) Front row: Martha Aregbesola, APNP, Ashley Holdridge, DO, Kate Sandstrom, PA-C
Ashley Holdridge, DO participating in Family Night
Referrals from a health care practitioner are required to be seen at the Center. The center evaluates patients from age 15 and older. About 80 % of their patient populations are women with the most typical age range being between 19 to 45years old. The most common diagnosis is migraine, followed by chronic migraine and cervicalgia. The Center specializes in the treatment of migraine, chronic migraines, tension-type headaches, occipital neuralgia, trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, cluster headaches, and atypical facial pain.
The patient / provider relationship starts prior to the patient visiting the Center. Before the initial appointment, patients will be asked to complete new patient paperwork that reviews prior medications, scans, and identifies the characteristics of their headaches. Upon arrival at the Center, the patients are greeted by the friendly patient service representatives. The medical assistants will escort patients to the exam rooms which offer light dimming capabilities in order to comfort those with light sensitivities and the carpeted hallways minimize noise exposures. All patients are offered ice packs, snacks, and water in order to ensure the patient is comfortable.
All new patients are evaluated by Dr. Holdridge and are scheduled for an hour. Dr. Holdridge believes in greeting everyone with a smile, sitting down, and making eye contact, as she knows even a simple sign of compassion can make all the difference in their headache management. This extra time allows her to investigate the causes and characteristics of a patient’ s headaches while giving the patient the attention and time which they deserve. A
thorough neurologic exam is performed. The remainder of the visit is spent discussing a diagnosis and, together with the patient, forming a treatment plan. Dr. Holdridge strongly believes in patient education and meticulously reviews various preventative and abortive treatment options, and explains potential side effects and benefits. She also ensures that patients understand the headache cycle and when treatment is appropriate. Dr. Holdridge believes in empowering her patients by giving them the appropriate tools necessary to manage their headaches.
A typical day at the Center starts at 7am, in order to accommodate those patients who want to be seen prior to starting their work day. Late hours are also scheduled, allowing for better access for the patients. Up to 50 patients are evaluated per work day, and urgent slots are provided for those who need to be seen immediately. An IV therapy suite is available which enables patients to remain in a calm, dark environment for cycle-breaking treatments as opposed to a visit to a loud and busy Emergency Department. The Center offers a multitude of interventions such as botox injections for chronic migraine, trigger point injections, sphenopalatine blocks, and occipital nerve blocks.
At The Comprehensive Headache Center, non-pharmacologic treatment approaches are utilized. Occupational therapists provide biofeedback training. Many patients utilize the physical therapy program, and appreciate the“ dry needling” procedure.
Currently, the Center does not have inpatient capabilities. However, the IV treatment rooms provide an alternative to the emergency department or urgent care centers.
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