MTCA Magazine February 2013 issue by North American Spine

Chronic Migraine Relief IS Now in San Antonio

Also in this issue: • • • • • • •

Named Top 100 Place to Work Brain Changes in Women Chronic Migraineurs A Migraine Drug Returns with a Celebrity Spokesperson! Staying in the Game with Tinted Glasses For Chronic Migraines When the Cure is the Cause for Chronic Headaches Drug Free Migraine Valentine’s Gift Guide Reset Your Migraine Resolutions for 2013

Migraine Treatment Centers of America Courtesy Magazine FEBRUARY 2013

Chronic Migraine Relief IS Now in San Antonio The CBS-affiliate KENS channel 5 news team covered the story of the first Omega™ migraine procedure performed in the San Antonio area.

The first patient, Robert DeLuna, said his migraines made him feel like he was “dying alive.” Fortunately, the Omega trial procedure was successful, giving him the opportunity for a permanent implant and a chance to get his life back. Dr. Alec Tisdall, who performed the procedure, has been recognized for excellence by Patient’s Choice awards and Compassionate Physician awards for the last three years. He has extensive training and experience in procedures designed to treat migraine and spine pain. He is board-certified with a Fellowship in Pain Management, Subspecialty Certification in Pain Medicine, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, and trained at the well-known Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Bringing the Omega procedure to San Antonio is one way that Dr. Tisdall is expanding chronic migraine treatment options in the area. Watch the news coverage on our website at migrainecenters.com.

Named Top 100 Place to Work Dallas-based Migraine Treatment Centers of America’s Parent Company It’s official! Migraine Treatment Centers of America’s parent company Athas Health LLC was recently named #6 among small companies in the “Top 100 Places to Work” in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area by the Dallas Morning News. Delighted with the news, Athas Health CEO Chris Lloyd declared, “This is a testament to the wonderful employees that show up for work every day with the singular focus of helping others. This attitude permeates our environment and creates a sense of purpose which leads to job satisfaction.” Migraine Centers employees are often encouraged to treat patients like family. Their Chief Operating Officer, Vance Wells, is known for encouraging the staff to think of those who call in as their “Great Aunt Millie” – in pain and looking for someone they can trust who can help them through an often, complex process. A close, friendly atmosphere and service-minded leadership also help make the office one of the best places to be on Monday morning, too. The Top 100 ranking results were based on 72,285 survey replies. The Dallas Morning News ran the contest together with its research partner.

Brain Changes in Women Chronic Migraineurs: No Need for Concern Some recent news is somewhat comforting. Researchers recently discovered that female migraineurs presented with more change in brain tissue than male migraineurs. However, these changes did not indicate that memory or thinking was impaired as a consequence. There was also no evidence linking the frequency of headaches to the change in white matter seen on MRI images. Rather, the change seemed to be associated with headache duration. These findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

While it may not be comforting to know that your brain tissue might actually change with chronic migraine, it should be comforting to know that every day, scientific advancements are bringing us closer to understanding – and therefore treating – our pain.

A Migraine Drug Returns with a Celebrity Spokesperson!

When drug maker Novartis announced it was restocking store shelves with the migraine treatment Excedrin after a lengthy recall, migraineurs rejoiced. However, packaging issues and a bungled Facebook contest foiled the heroic comeback.

ÂŠ www.blackfilm.com

It seems throughout this time chronic migraine sufferers have certainly had their loyalty for a favorite migraine treatment tested. Perhaps as a little reward for their patience, the return of Excedrin has come with some social media

entertainment factor! Medical Marketing and Media Online reports that singer Jordin Sparks, herself a migraine sufferer, has been enlisted as the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrity spokesperson. She will help launch the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education campaign to help women learn more about their migraine triggers with the help of a migraine app. This app will allow people to track their migraine attacks and triggers, and share this information with their health care providers. For people suffering with chronic migraines, the re-launch of Excedrin along with some helpful tools to monitor their condition, this comes as good news. After all, when you suffer with this condition, each additional effective migraine treatment that is available to you is comforting.

Staying in the Game with Tinted Glasses

It doesn’t matter whether your game of choice is basketball or politics… if you suffer with chronic migraines, you may boost your performance with the help of special glasses. A former presidential candidate’s wife told People Magazine that sunglasses helped her cope with migraines at public appearances during her husband’s campaign. On the other side of the celebrity spectrum, The Sun Sentinel reported that a pro-basketball player showed up for practice, the day after Thanksgiving, with protective red-tinted eyeglasses because he wanted to keep his migraine from getting worse. He even asked TV crewmembers to turn off their bright camera lights. A study by medical researchers from Michigan State University, published in the journal Cephalalgia, concluded that specialized ophthalmic tinted lenses did in fact have a therapeutic effect on individuals with migraine. The science behind this has to do with the normalizing effect these lenses have on the part of the brain that process visual stimuli which tend to trigger migraines.

If you suffer with chronic migraines, tinted glasses may be worth adding to your toolkit of migraine therapies.

ÂŠ Can Stock Photo Inc. / mogddl

When the Cure is the Cause for Chronic Headaches: The Rebound

Were your headache pills managing your chronic headache symptoms just fine… until recently, that is? Despite taking your medication as usual, have your headaches returned with a vengeance?

These ‘re-energized’ headaches may not be your usual headaches at all but rather something referred to as ‘rebound headaches.’ A recent article in the San Francisco Gate reported that when headache sufferers take medication more than 3 times per week and then try to cut back, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and headaches. This of course spurs them to increase their drug intake. When this cycle goes on for too long, it becomes an independent chronic headache, from the underlying tension headache or migraine condition. These ‘rebound’ headaches are also called transformative headaches. The medications, which potentially lead to this condition, include: aspirin, acetaminophen, opioids and hydrocodone or codeine based medication, butalbital analgesics, ergotamine, sleeping aids, combination analgesics with caffeine and triptans (migraine medication). According to the article, a possible cause for this rebound effect may be that the body adapts to medication over time, rendering it ineffective. Be sure to check with your physician if your symptoms are worsening and your medication is no longer effective.

Drug Free Migraine Valentine’s Gift Guide Forget stuffed animals and boxes of chocolate! The best way to express your love to someone who suffers with a migraine condition is with a gift that says you care and want to help them feel better. Here are some Valentine’s Day gift ideas for that special migraineur in your life!

Delightful Delectables • Sulfite-free white wine • Gift basket with exotic fruit, herbal teas and mixed nuts

Preventative Presents • Meditation CDs or DVDs • Massage gift certificate • Noise canceling headphones

Soothing Statements • Microwaveable/freezable fuzzy-friend heat/cold packs • Aromatherapy accessories like lavender pillow spray and essential oils • Bath salt or bubbles • Custom ordered migraine sunglasses Depending on your finances, you may even spring for a massage chair! If you are the one who struggles with migraines, go right ahead and choose some items from the list to buy for yourself this Valentine’s Day. Remember, you have to love yourself too! © Can Stock Photo Inc. / e_mikh

Reset Your Migraine Resolutions for 2013

ÂŠ Can Stock Photo Inc. / monkeybusiness

Don’t despair if you have blown your New Year’s resolutions already. It’s early enough to hit your RESTART button! Since migraines often respond to positive lifestyle modification, check out these 10 easy resolutions to start your list…

Sleep Tight

Conquer Stress

Eat Nutritiously

Supplement with Vitamins

Relax and Meditate

Exercise

Try Massage Therapy

Create a Supportive Surrounding

Banish Triggers

Hydrate

that means 7-9 hours each night, on schedule.

behavioral therapy can help you develop coping techniques and defense strategies.

well-balanced regular meals include nutrients like vitamin B2, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like lean beef, whole grains, leafy greens, salmon and sweet potatoes.

if your doctor approves.

Yoga, Tai Chi and meditation relieve physiological tension and promote mindfulness and positive thought.

20-30 minutes of daily aerobic activity is a good starting point.

tension relieving techniques that focus on treating pressure points around the head are especially soothing.

with comforting décor, and a positive network of friends, family and pets.

whether it is chocolate, a medication, or more... it’s time to cleanse your life of your headache causes.

drinking eight glasses a day helps flush out toxins and keep you refreshed.

So stop looking for excuses to make good on your resolutions, because it’s never too late!

The magazine exclusively for patients and friends of Migraine Treatment Centers of America

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Tell us what you think. Email info@migrainecenters.com

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