You may meet with several healthcare providers during your migraine journey.
Here are some of the medical professionals who can help you take charge and find a treatment that works:
A neurologist specializes in disorders of the brain and nervous system. Look for one who is board-certified in headache medicine.
A board-certified headache specialist is a doctor who specializes in headache medicine and has experience in diagnosing and treating migraine.
A nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) can diagnose and treat migraine.
A sleep disorder specialist can diagnose sleeping conditions, such as sleep apnea, that may be contributing to or causing your migraine.
A physical therapist can teach exercises to reduce neck tension, which is common among migraine patients. He or she may also teach or recommend other physical activities, such as yoga and relaxation techniques, that have been proven to ease symptoms.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can help you learn to better manage stress, which often triggers migraine, and can teach you biofeedback methods. These therapists can also help you cope with depression and/or anxiety.
10 questions to ask at your next exam
Good communication is the key to effective treatment for your migraine. Get started by asking these questions.
1. Could my headaches be migraine?
2. Could I have Chronic Migraine?
3. What’s the best way to identify my triggers?
4. What are my treatment options?
5. Could I benefit from preventive therapies?
6. How long should I wait to assess if the preventive therapy is working to stop my headaches?
7. Should I expect any side effects from my treatment(s)?
8. How can I tell when a migraine is coming on, and at what point should I start taking acute migraine medication?
9. Can I do anything else to relieve migraine symptoms in addition to taking acute medication?
10. Before my next visit, will you claim your Migraine Monitor Dashboard to remotely follow my progress?