My Story

Dec 17

Why Headache Bestie (and Align Neurology) Exist

I don’t remember a life without headaches.

When I was six years old, I became severely ill with bacterial meningitis and was hospitalized. While I recovered, something stayed with me, headaches. At the time, I didn’t question it. As a kid, you trust what your body does. I truly believed headaches were just… normal.

As I got older, the headaches became worse, especially around my period. I remember taking multiple over-the-counter medications, stacking them just to get through the day. Still, I didn’t have a diagnosis. I didn’t know what a migraine really was. I just assumed this was life.

“Do You Have Migraines?”

Fast forward many years later, I was working as a nurse practitioner in neurology when the neurologist I worked with casually asked me:

“Do you have migraines?”

I said no and asked why.

He replied,

“Because you always have your lights off like you live in a cave.”

That moment changed everything.

I finally realized what I had been living with for decades had a name. From there came headache diaries, apps, self-education, identifying triggers, and most importantly, creating a plan for when a headache strikes. Knowledge gave me power, but it also opened my eyes to something much bigger.

The Problem No One Talks About

Migraine patients, especially women, are often stereotyped as pain seekers, particularly in the emergency room. I saw it over and over again. Because of that stigma, many patients avoid the ER altogether and instead stay home, suffering in silence.

I used to tell my patients:

“We should have a headache urgent care, somewhere calm and quiet where you can get a migraine cocktail and be on your way.”

Because the ER? It’s basically a feeding ground for migraine triggers, bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, chaos.

That idea never left me.

Starting Align Neurology

In April 2024, I started Align Neurology.

I had no real business background. I walked away from a cushy 9–5 job with benefits and a 401(k). I don’t even know how I found the courage—except that I truly believe the Lord gave me a nudge, removed all doubt, and made the decision clear.

It has been the best decision of my life.

In our first year, I’ve had the privilege of caring for over 2,000 patients. I provide care to anyone in the state of Virginia, both in person and via telehealth. We accept insurance, offer an urgent care option for headaches, and meet people where they are, physically and emotionally.

Every single day, I see versions of myself sitting across from me: people who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and just need help and hope when they feel like they’ve run out of both.

Why I Created Headache Bestie

I created Headache Bestie because sometimes patients need more than an appointment, they need a bestie.

Someone they can message on a weekend asking if they need a migraine cocktail.
Someone who can call in a steroid over a holiday.
Someone to ask about medication side effects, or just check in.

My Headache Besties also have access to Align On Demand, our headache urgent care service, because migraines aren’t the only thing my patients suffer from. With On-Demand access, they often ask for an antibiotic, or referral, or just medical advice in general. Because our PCP is so overwhelmed, they need a backup.

More Than Medicine

At Align, we also believe migraine sufferers deserve pampering, not just prescriptions.

That’s why we offer:

The viral Japanese Head Spa (because who doesn’t love a head massage under water jets?)
Align Aesthetics, our newest expansion, now offering facials and the infamous Hydrafacial.

Because healing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and feeling cared for matters.

Who We Serve

Most of my patients are a lot like me:
Busy women, often middle-aged, nearing “the change,” not sleeping, juggling families, careers, and life—while dealing with headaches on top of it all.

Everything we do at Align Neurology is designed with them in mind.