The Headache Center recently formed a clinical research department . Anne Britt was hired as a Clinical Research Coordinator . Anne received her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Jackson State University , Jackson , MS , from which she graduated Summa Cum Laude . She is currently a candidate for a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at Louisiana State University .
Other staff members include : Amanda Morgan , Office Manager ; Kimberly Cyprian , Patient Educator ; Heather Callon , Reception ; Megan Lewis , Scheduling ; and , Christa Joy Kin , Nursing Assistant . Ms . Treppendahl hopes to add two additional nurse practitioners to the staff in order to increase the number of patients seen per day .
The Headache Center specializes in all primary headache disorders as well as several secondary headache disorders , including Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension , post-traumatic headache , and other secondary headache disorders . Although referrals are not required , patients have been referred by several hundred health care providers throughout the state of Mississippi .
The typical patient at the Center is an individual suffering with severe , disabling , or frequent headaches . Children may be seen at the Center , and the youngest patient is 3-years-old . Many of their patients have certain common comorbidities associated with their headaches , including ( but not limited to ) obesity , anxiety and / or depression , allergies , or asthma .
At the first appointment , the patients will be put at ease by the Center ’ s calming , elegant aesthetics . New patients will undergo a comprehensive history and physical examination . Once a diagnosis is established , the patient will receive an intensive education program in the diagnosis and individualized medical treatment plan . The discussion will include medications to be prescribed , when and how to take the medications , potential side effects , adjunctive therapies and referrals ( such as ophthalmology , physical therapy , cognitive behavioral therapy , biofeedback ), and lifestyle modifications .
A typical day at the Center begins at 7:30am , which allows patients to avoid missing work . The center has the capacity to see up to 45 to 60 patients per day . The Center offers urgent treatment to established patients including : peripheral nerve blocks with a local anesthetic ; sphenopalatine ganglion blocks ; outpatient intravenous therapy ; intramuscular ( IM ) and subcutaneous ( SC ) injections ; and , Botox treatments . Allergy testing is offered at the Center since airborne allergies are often a comorbid condition .
In regards to a particular treatment philosophy , Ms . Treppendahl stated that she and the staff believe that “ patients want to be free of migraine and other headache disorders in order to live to their fullest potential and a common barrier is lack of education and access to the best treatment therapies currently available .” By filling that gap , patients are able to return to work and social life without experiencing anxiety about when the next attack will occur . She noted that :
“ All patients are treated with dignity and respect , and we truly understand that their condition is not ‘ just in their head ’. Headache research and awareness is sorely underfunded . Migraine is invisible and therefore , many friends , family members , and even providers , are very dismissive of the impact that primary headaches often have on the patient , and on society ( with the indirect costs ). The Headache Center is adamant about keeping a narcotic-free clinic and providing the highest quality of evidence-based medicine .”
32 HeadWise ® | Volume 6 , Issue 1 • 2016