Effective migraine treatment transforms life for neurology nurse

For Michelle Mann, of Macomb, Michigan, debilitating migraine headaches were a constant battle that severely impacted her quality of life.

"It started in high school when I began experiencing random headaches that would last for days," Michelle recalls. "I would vomit and often end up in the emergency room."

Despite consulting multiple doctors and neurologists, she continued to suffer from migraine headaches 15 to 20 days each month. "It affected me in high school and college - I missed classes, social activities, and time with my friends. I often felt isolated, sitting quietly in the dark, unable to engage."

A life-changing discovery with Dr. Ali

As a neurology nurse practitioner, Michelle refused to settle for ineffective treatments. Determined to find relief, she extensively researched specialists throughout the region.

"In 2018, I found Dr. Ashhar Ali at Henry Ford Health—it was life-changing," she states.

Dr. Ali, a neurologist and headache specialist, carefully evaluated Michelle’s condition and designed a comprehensive treatment plan. His approach included a combination of medications, Botox injections and occipital nerve blocks—a procedure that injects medication into the back of the head to target inflamed or injured occipital nerves, which can be a source of chronic headaches.

Michelle vividly remembers the profound effect of her first occipital nerve block treatment. "For three months, I didn’t have a single headache. I thought, ‘Could I really be cured?” While her headaches eventually returned, the frequency drastically decreased—from 15-20 per month to just 3-4.

Renewed quality of life

The dramatic reduction in migraine episodes transformed Michelle’s daily life. Now married to her high school sweetheart and raising two daughters, she enjoys a sense of normalcy that once seemed unattainable.

"I can now spend time outdoors with my family, fully participate in my kids' activities, and work without needing excessive time off," she says.

Dr. Ali emphasizes that combination treatments play a crucial role in managing chronic migraine, where often a single treatment is not sufficient.

“It allows us to address the condition from multiple angles, and may include injections, infusions, rescue therapies and lifestyle changes,” says Dr. Ali. And follow-up care, which is often delivered by highly skilled advanced practice providers and dedicated headache nurses, ensures that patients receive the ongoing support they need, he adds. “Our holistic approach here at Henry Ford Health means we can offer prompt, effective treatment tailored to each patient’s unique needs.”

Grateful for the care Michelle has received, Michelle has actively referred others struggling with debilitating headaches to Dr. Ali.

"I am incredibly appreciative of Dr. Ali and the staff at Henry Ford Health. It took me years to find the right treatment, but thanks to Dr. Ali, I’m back to being a fully functioning person. He truly goes above and beyond for his patients, listening carefully and treating everyone with respect and compassion."

For more information about migraine treatment options, visit the Headache and Facial Pain Center at Henry Ford Health.