Medical Services

We provide primary care for adults who do not have any public or private health insurance coverage and who meet the eligibility requirements. A physician first sees a patient in one of our New River Valley Clinics (Christiansburg, Floyd, Giles, and Radford). If necessary, the attending physician can refer the patient to a specialist, or to one of our cooperating hospitals for more extensive medical testing.

Based on the patient's health needs, we may refer the patient to a private physician in the Program for Special Medical Care, where some patients are seen consistently in a family practice physician's office.

Migraine Clinic introduced to the Free Clinic

During September 2007, the Free Clinic of the New River Valley began holding their newest specialty Clinic, aimed at helping patients who suffer from migraine headaches. With the vast number of people who suffer from migraines, there is a growing need for specialized migraine care in the medical field. Spending time with these patients to observe and analyze symptoms and contributing factors is essential in developing a treatment plan to help alleviate the occurrence of migraine headaches.

Under the guidance of volunteer Nurse Practitioner, Tony Ramsey, the Clinic is held at 5:00pm on the second Monday of each month. Ramsey, an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Radford University, and a PhD student at West Virginia University, brings valuable experience to the Free Clinic. Ramsey saw a strong need for migraine-specific care at the Free Clinic, so in September 2007 he decided to conduct the first Migraine Specialty Clinic. The goal of the Migraine Clinic is to determine the causes and/or triggers of the migraines and to treat the patients accordingly.

Through stress reduction, change in diet, and/or medications, Ramsey strives to decrease the number of migraines a patient experiences. Keeping an accurate diary of diet, environmental exposure, activities, and any other factors that can contribute to migraines is one recommended way in which to determine the causes and/or triggers of the headaches. Medically, migraine disease remains somewhat of a mystery, and as a result the form of treatment can vary with each patient. In some cases an MRI or a neurological consult will be ordered. Most often, eye exams are ordered for patients to ensure that visual strain is not contributing to the headaches.

Ramsey explained that “Migraines can be very debilitating and can actually decrease productivity and the patients overall quality of life. But, with the right treatment we often get positive outcomes. We were able to decrease one patient’s migraines from eight in a month to only one in a month which changed their life!” Ramsey went on to say that in the near future he hopes to start a migraine support group to further assist these patients in need.

For more information about migraine headaches visit the National Headache Foundation http://www.headaches.org/ or contact the Free Clinic of the New River Valley.

Acupuncture Introduced to the Free Clinic

In November, 2007, the Free Clinic of the New River Valley introduced its newest service, acupuncture. Although this is a newer service offered at the clinic, acupuncture has roots dating back thousands of years. As a treatment plan, acupuncture can help alleviate aliments including migraines, arthritis, chronic back pain, obesity and addiction.

Under the guidance of volunteer and CRNA, Sally Spangler, the Free Clinic offers the service once a week. Acupuncture involves small sterile or disposable needles placed into points of pain or pressure. Through this process, energy is redistributed throughout the body essentially helping the body restore its innate ability to heal itself. Sally uses a common acupuncture technique called Sparrow Pecking. This is where the needles are warmed by using a substance called Moxa. Moxa is a long pencil-looking stick made out of an herb called mugwart. While the substance is known to smell woody or grassy, some patients actually enjoy the smell and find it soothing.

Sally says acupuncture treatments are “100% safe in the hands of the right person!” She goes on to say that this service “can be universal. People from all over the world can be helped by acupuncture. It works well and it should be used everywhere.” The Free Clinic of the New River Valley, located in Christiansburg is thrilled to offer our patients this service.

Sally places needles into a patient’s ear

CHRISTIANSBURG CLINIC:

Location: 215 Roanoke Street in Christiansburg

Phone: (540) 381-0820

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00 p.m.

Additional Clinics each month by appointment:

Second Monday: Migraine Clinic
Second Tuesday: Pulmonary Clinic
Fourth Tuesday: Gynecological Clinic
Fourth Wednesday: Diabetic Clinic
TBA Monthly: Colposcopy Clinic

FLOYD CLINIC SATELLITE:

Location: Floyd County Health Department, 1815 East Main Street, Floyd

Hours of Operation: General medical walk-in Clinics on the first and third Monday of each month beginning at 5:00 PM

RADFORD CLINIC SATELLITE:

Location: Located in the Radford Worship Center, 1820 Second Street, Radford

Hours of Operation: General medical walk-in Clinics on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month beginning at 5:00 PM.

GILES CLINIC SATELLITE:

Location: Located in front of Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital, 219 South Buchanan Street, Pearisburg

Hours of Operation: By appointment on Mondays. Please call for more information.