Roger Cady MD & J. Kent Dexter MD
Kathleen Farmer, PsyD
and non-pharmacological interventions, and follow-up.
The patient will also meet with a psychologist to determine
the limbic contribution to the disability of headaches and
development of a behavioral plan with the use of biofeedback and cognitive restructuring and follow-up.
A typical day at the Center is busy with new patient and
follow-up visits. The schedule is highlighted by collaboration among the health care professionals and patients
in order to implement the best treatment strategy for a
patient. The Center does not specialize in any particular
headache condition or treatment.
At the Center, the treatment philosophy is patient-centered, comprehensive, individualized care for the patient
experiencing headache. They strive to assist patients to
become successful managers of their headache disorders
with compassion, education, and collaboration. Patients
are guided to become collaborators with the health care
professionals in order to make effective therapeutic and
lifestyle decisions. Patients are provided with a “care-kit”
of a variety of effective treatment tools.
The Center does not offer inpatient care but provides a
comprehensive, intensive outpatient program for patients
with intractable headaches. For those patients who have
been successful through collaboration in their treatment,
their photos are placed on the Wall of Champions. A widerange of acute treatment options are available as well as
a full-range of alternative therapies. Thermal biofeedback
is central. Other important therapies include massage,
nutritional interventions, acupuncture, nerve blocks, and
transcutaneous stimulation. During the next few years,
they would like to expand the complimentary services
provided at the Center.
When asked about why they elected to practice Headache Medicine, Doctors Cady, Farmer, and Dexter noted
that historically, most primary headaches (migraine, tension-type, and cluster) have been minimized as legitimate
Wall of Champions
medical diseases. Headache patients have often been
misdiagnosed and inadequately treated. These health care
professionals have devoted over 25 years to the care and
management of headache patients, conducting extensive
research on pharmacological and non-pharmacological
headache therapies, and have been pioneers in patientcentered headache management. They chose to go into
headache medicine because they realized that headache
is a manageable disease and that with appropriate care,
patients can get their lives back. They concurred that
headache is, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding
medical conditions to treat.
When asked what they enjoy most about working in
Headache Medicine, Doctors Cady, Farmer, and Dexter
concurred that it is the patients. It is rewarding to see how
patients can change their lives when provided with education and quality treatment. They each enjoy conducting
research and being able to explore the new frontiers of
headache medicine. And, it is rewarding to be part of their
patients’ success.
Do they have any general advice for the patient experiencing headache? They suggested that the patient record,
in a diary, headache days, treatment, and the effects of
treatment. The diaries should be shared with their health
care provider at the initial visit and at follow-up visits.
Patients should seek to learn about their headaches, and
become involved in the management of the disorder. HW
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CLINIC, PLEASE VISIT:
www.headaches.org
www.headachecare.com
Headache Care Center
3805 South Kansas Expressway
Springfield, Missouri 65807
(417) 890-7888
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National Headache Foundation
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