Back row: Nora Klaus (PSR), Annette Harlan (MA), Chris Duston (MA), Jaci Radosta (PSR) Ashley Holdridge, DO participating in Family Night
Front row: Martha Aregbesola, APNP, Ashley Holdridge, DO, Kate Sandstrom, PA-C
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 mi-
graine, 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 pa-
tient 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 Cen-
ter, 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 greet-
ing 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 manage-
ment. 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 re-
views 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, al-
lowing 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 Depart-
ment. The Center offers a multitude of interventions such
as botox injections for chronic migraine, trigger point in-
jections, sphenopalatine blocks, and occipital nerve blocks.
At The Comprehensive Headache Center, non-pharma-
cologic 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 capabili-
ties. However, the IV treatment rooms provide an alterna-
tive to the emergency department or urgent care centers.
www.headaches.org
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National Headache Foundation
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