Managing Migraine and Headache: Tools & Tips for Relief

Welcome to Managing Migraine & Headache: Tools & Tips for Relief with Miles for Migraine event! Join us online for a few hours of powerful, community-based day of learning, connection, and empowerment. This event is designed to equip you with knowledge, tools, and support to better understand and manage migraine.

Gain valuable insights from three esteemed experts in the field:

Dr.Marius Birlea will take us through the importance of developing a migraine toolkit and what should be included. He will explore the latest advancements in migraine treatment, from cutting-edge medications to breakthrough devices—and what’s on the horizon. See more detail in the agenda below.

Dr. Lindasy Weitzel, a person living with migraine and creator of MigraineNation, will share insights on how to "Build Your Rock Wall Against Migraine" by discussing key stragies for living with headache disease.

Dr. Michael Dow will speak on Pain Science and strategies for coping with pain, including Emerging psychotherapies for Migraine: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET).

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and take charge of your health. The event will include presentations and Q&A with our panelists. Register today!

NOTE: We do charge a $10 registration fee to reserve your hot breakfast & attendance. This will be refunded to you, in cash, at check in the day of the event.

Dr. Marius Birlea is an Associate Professor of Neurology Clinical Practice at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the founding leader of the Headache program there and of the Colorado Headache Society. His headache team at the University of Colorado Health includes seven M.D. headache specialists, five dedicated nurse practitioners, and two fellows yearly specializing in Headache Medicine. 

He treats patients with any type of head and face pain disorders (primary or secondary). He has a passion for migraine, headaches related to low/high cerebrospinal fluid pressure conditions and to herpes viral infections of the nervous system. His many clinical interests include headache epidemiology, vascular, inflammatory and traumatic neurological conditions as well as peripheral nervous system disorders. He has contributed to multiple research publications in Neurology (basic and clinical science) and is actively involved in Headache advocacy.

Lindsay Weitzel, PhD experienced chronic and daily migraine along with burning atypical face and neck pain from the time she was four years old until she was thirty. Lindsay believes that having no memory without  pain gave her a unique perspective on living with and outsmarting migraine and chronic debilitating pain. Lindsay has a PhD in Analytical Health Sciences, a Master’s degree in Nutrition, and is a certified yoga teacher. She is the host of HeadWise, the videocast and podcast of the National Headache Foundation. She also speaks on various aspects of migraine and chronic pain and has published a graphic novel for kids and adventurous adults with migraine called Super Zoe the Migraine Hero. Lindsay’s philosophy is that we each have to build a personalized rock wall against migraine and chronic pain: the rocks are lifestyle and Medic*tion strategies, and it is all held together by our “mortar” which is our mentality. Lindsay is the founder of a closed FaceBook group called and runs programs to help people with migraine through her non-profit of the same name.  You can see more about Lindsay’s work on her website.

Dr. Michael Dow is a licensed clinical psychologist. He earned his master’s degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy at Naropa University and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Rockies. He completed his internship and postdoctoral training at Clinica Family Health and Mental Health Partners in Boulder, Colorado, specializing in integrated primary care. Dr. Dow is a member of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms and the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Dow specializes in the treatment of chronic pain and other mind-body symptoms including migraine, chronic dizziness, back pain, and more. He also provides couples therapy, psychodynamic therapy, group psychotherapy, and mindfulness-based psychotherapies. He is a Level II PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) therapist and is trained in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). He regularly provides training and presentations on these integrative mind-body approaches.

Shirley Kessel is the Executive Director of Miles for Migraine and the mom of three daughters, two of whom live with migraine. When her youngest daughter Sydney became diagnosed at an early age, they both decided that it was time to take action to bring awareness and raise money for migraine research. They contacted Eileen Jones, who founded the Miles for Migraine race in San Francisco, and brought the race to the Philadelphia community in 2013. She became the Executive Director in 2017 when it became apparent that Miles for Migraine should take the race series around the USA.

Shirley has worked in healthcare since 1983 and has served on various non-profit boards since 1991. She won’t retire until a cure is found for this disabling disease.

Info: During this session, Dr. Weitzel will address the following: Why do we fail in our mind-set as people with chronic pain and how should we view ourselves? What are the most important strategies we need in our rock wall? What happens when there are holes in our rock wall?

Info: During this session, Dr. Dow will speak about the basic science of neuroplastic pain, also known as neural circuit pain. He will be reviewing the latest research on Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). This talk will help you better understand the role and connection between avoided or feared emotion, stress, and pain. Attendees will
learn techniques of somatic tracking, leaning into pleasant sensations, and healthy avoidance as well as emotional expression and release/resolution, expressive writing, and healthy communication.

Info: Take 15 minutes to stretch your legs and visit with our sponsors who will have information on the latest treatment options..

Info: During this session, Dr. Birlea will take us through the importance of developing a migraine toolkit and what should be included. He will review the latest advancements in migraine treatment, from cutting-edge medications to breakthrough devices—and what’s on the horizon. Additional learning objectives include 1) Understanding the Science of Migraine, 2) Applying Personalized Treatment Strategies, 3) Implementing Lifestyle and Self-Care Tools, 4) Track, Analyze, and Respond to Migraine Patterns and 5) Developing a Holistic Support and Emergency Plan.

Info: During this session, participants will have the chance to ask questions directly to the speakers about the topics presented.

Info: To close the event, Shirley will re-convene participants for a recap of the days learnings with a summary of your next steps to enhance your migraine toolkit.

Host or Publisher Miles for Migraine