Staying out of the ER & Alternative Nonmedical Treatments

Miles for Migraine - Patient Education Event

In light of the current COVID guidelines and restrictions, we have redesigned our Education Days to be online, free and shorter in length while still delivering up to the moment information and valuable education on migraine and other headache diseases.

Our usual Education Day is delivered through lectures and experiential sessions. Our new format will include both, when possible. We vary the sessions topics so you can attend those that are of interest to you. Topics will cover coping strategies, advocacy, reducing stigma, research, and medical advancements. All presenters will field your questions. Join us for as many events as you are able. Each event will feature different content.

THIS WILL BE A VIRTUAL EVENT TO BE HELD ON

MONDAY, JUNE 21ST FROM 7:00PM - 8:30PM EASTERN TIME

Dr. William Young, MD, FAHS - How To Stay Out of the ER with Migraine

Dr. Young is a neurologist at the Jefferson Headache Center. He received his medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine and has been in practice for 30 years. The Jefferson Headache Center is one of a very few academic headache centers in the country. The Center, founded in 1982, specializes in the treatment of patients with all types of headache pain. Dr. Young is the President of Miles for Migraine, and former president of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. Click for detailed information pertaining to Dr. Young's extensive research profile, including research pertaining to migraine and stigma.

Megan Conover - Alternative Nonmedical Migraine Treatments

About Megan Conover, M.Ac., L.Ac.

Megan is continuing her path in Oriental medicine and is currently enrolled in the Chinese Herbal program at the Won Institute. In addition to the demanding clinic program, Megan studied Esoteric Acupuncture through Mikio Sankey, facial rejuvenation, weight loss and fertility with Dr. Martha Lucas, in addition to focusing her studies on anxiety, pain, digestive disorders and women’s health.

In 2013, Megan was led to acupuncture after Chinese medicine changed her life during a health scare. This has provided a basis for Megan’s passion and drive to continue learning and teaching others of the healing powers of this medicine.

She structures her treatments to allow the time to listen thoroughly to each patient. Megan has successfully treated a wide range of pain, emotional, digestive disorders, and women’s health issues, among other conditions. Megan is interested in treating the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. She often makes diet and lifestyle recommendations to assist her patients in taking their health to the next level.

Megan feels strongly that acupuncture should be accessible to all individuals and works to educate the public on the benefits of acupuncture. In her free time, Megan enjoys practicing yoga, reading, traveling, skiing, hiking, cooking, live music and spending time with friends and family.

Sarah Ogden - My Migraine Advocacy Journey

Sarah thinks she began experiencing migraine as a child. She definitely remembers having a migraine attack on her 16th birthday. Sarah’s attacks grew more frequent and debilitating as she aged, and at 31, Sarah was diagnosed with chronic migraine. She has had constant migraine symptoms with no break in pain for the past eight years.

Before chronic migraine, Sarah received the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and earned her M.A. in Media Studies from the University of Ulster in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. She then began an 11-year career in lobbying, grassroots outreach, and political action committee management in Washington, D.C. When chronic migraine upended her life, Sarah was single-handedly running the government relations department at a nonprofit professional association.

Because her migraine has been unrelenting even in the face of cutting-edge medications, devices, and infusions, Sarah primarily manages her symptoms using alternative treatments such as meditation, gentle exercise, and stress management. She credits lifestyle changes and radical acceptance with taking her from bedridden to (relatively) functional.

Though migraine continues to affect every aspect of Sarah’s life, she makes a point of incorporating purpose and joy into her days. Sarah advocates for migraine awareness and research funding whenever she can. She regularly attends Miles for Migraine events, including the Philadelphia and Cleveland races, where she and her team have been among the top fundraisers several years in a row. Sarah also enjoys flexing her government relations skills at the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy’s annual Headache on the Hill. At home, Sarah spends her time cooking, reading, coloring, learning new things, going for walks, and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to chronic migraine, Sarah lives with (juvenile) rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and assorted other chronic illnesses. She lives near Philadelphia with her supportive boyfriend, two considerate housemates, an extroverted cat, and a dog who is having none of it. You can find Sarah on Twitter as @sarie_ellen.