Advocacy and Self-Care go hand and hand and we believe should be a part of each individual's treatment plan. Join this session to learn why & how in both areas.
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
Presenters
- Karissa Arca, MD & Courtney Iser, MD - Advocacy As Part of Your Treatment Plan
- Lindsay Keach Bronstein, MS, RD, LDN, HC - A Practical Guide to Self-Care
- Deena Migliazzo, Patient Warrior
View the Full Video of "Self Care + Migraine Disease" by Lindsay Keach Bronstein, MS, RD, LDN, HC
- Self-Care for Chronic Pain: The speaker, living with chronic pain and a newborn, emphasizes that self-care is about small, manageable practices that foster relaxation and support well-being.
- Breathing Exercise: A guided deep-breathing exercise demonstrates how controlled breathing can stimulate the vagus nerve, reduce stress, and promote relaxation in minutes.
- Defining Self-Care: Self-care is described as acts of kindness, compassion, and connection to one's body, focusing on nourishing basic needs and promoting joy and presence.
- Avoiding the Self-Care Hamster Wheel: The speaker cautions against turning self-care into a burdensome checklist that creates guilt or blame for chronic illnesses like migraines.
- Control and Compassion: Using a bucket analogy, the speaker explains balancing factors within and beyond one’s control, advocating for self-compassion rather than striving for perfection.
- Self-Care Strategies: Basic needs like hydration, sleep, and nourishing food form the foundation of self-care. Setting boundaries and saying no are also key strategies.
- Personalized Self-Care: Self-care varies based on personality, triggers, and physical states. It's vital to ask, "What does my body need right now?" and adapt accordingly.
- Nourishment Menu: Participants are guided to create a personalized list of self-care actions, including nourishing the body, fostering joy, saying no, and preparing for hard days.
- Small Acts, Big Impact: Even small actions, like drinking water or sitting with a pet, can significantly improve physical and emotional well-being.
- Advocacy Challenges: The speaker briefly touches on advocating for migraine awareness with healthcare providers, emphasizing the need for education and finding supportive doctors.
Read a full comprehensive guide to migraine Self Care and tips
Karissa Arca, MD
Dr. Arca is a neurologist specializing in autonomic and headache disorders. She received her medical degree from Loma Linda University and went on to complete a Transitional Year residency and Neurology residency at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. During her final year of residency she was awarded the Manfred D. Muenter Award for Excellence in Clinical Neurology. She also competed a Headache Fellowship with additional training in autonomic disorders at Mayo Clinic in Arizona which is where she currently practices.
Dr. Arca is an active member of the American Academy of Neurology, American Headache Society, and the American Autonomic Society.
She is involved in education and research and has a special interest in the cross-section of autonomic disorders and headache.
Courtney Iser, MD
Dr. Iser is currently a Headache fellow at the Mayo Headache Clinic in Scottsdale. She attended undergraduate at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a major in Psychology and later attended the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City for medical school where she was selected to be a member of the AΩA medical society. She completed her Neurology residency at the University of Oklahoma as well where she was awarded the Excellence in Clinic Patient Care. She is a member of the American Headache Society and American Academy of Neurology. Courtney has a special interest in increasing headache education for patients, future medical professionals, and other medical providers, as well as, promoting headache medicine as a career path.
Lindsay Keach Bronstein, MS, RD, LDN, HC
Lindsay is an integrative dietitian and health coach with 15 years of experience in private practice, integrative medicine, and community health settings. Combining her expertise in both clinical and integrative/mind-body nutrition with the latest science of behavior change, a sense of humor, and a fierce love of food, Lindsay guides her patients through the small but powerful shifts that allow them to experience sustainable transformation both on and off the plate. She offers a warm, practical approach and profound respect for the uniqueness and wisdom of all bodies.
Lindsay has a particular interest in working with digestive disorders, migraine and headache, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and their relationship to food and the body.
Lindsay is a preferred provider at the Osher Clinical Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she is a facilitator in the ongoing small group program “Integrative Approaches to Headache Management”.
She is also a regular lecturer for the Harvard Integrative Medicine Fellowship program and is on faculty for the Vanderbilt Health Coaching Program for licensed health care professionals. Lindsay has taught and developed curricula for nutrition and healthy cooking workshops in a range of corporate, academic and community settings.
Deena Migliazzo, Patient Warrior
Deena Migliazzo is a third-generation chronic migraineur who has found a passion for educating and raising awareness of migraine disease. Deena resides in Seattle and works in the technology industry. Deena spends her free time exploring the PNW with her pup, Tater Tot. She joined Miles for Migraine volunteer committees over a year ago and has found great joy in the organization and its mission.
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