• A neurologist diagnoses and treats nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. A neurologist typically performs a range of tests in an effort to identify the source of your headaches and migraines.
• A pain specialist, or pain-medicine doctor, is an expert at diagnosing the cause of pain and then treating it. Anesthesiologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons most frequently specialize in pain management.

• How often do you have migraines?
• How long do your headaches usually last?
• What type of headache do you usually have (mild, moderate, severe, cluster)?
• Are you aware of anything, like these common triggers, that may bring on your headaches/migraines?

Take your headache journal with you, and share it with your healthcare team. If you aren’t keeping a journal, now’s the perfect time to start.

• On which side of your head is the pain usually located?
• How would you describe the pain of your worst headaches (stabbing, throbbing, etc.)?
• Do you have any other symptoms that occur with your migraines (nausea, light or noise sensitivity, etc.)?
• What medications or self-care steps do you typically take to relieve your migraine symptoms?

Be sure to reveal all medications that you are currently taking, and explain any changes in your medical history.

• What other medication options are available, and what are the benefits and risks of each?
• Are you a candidate for cosmetic treatments for migraine, such as injections or surgical procedures?
• Should you make any changes to your daily routine to reduce your migraine pain?
• Should you consider any alternative treatments (acupuncture, massage, etc.)?