No, not everyone with Migraine or headaches needs to see a Migraine and headache specialist. Still, you should know that there are such specialists. Many people think (as I used to) that neurologists are all Migraine specialists. They're not. Unless, they've chosen a subspecialty, they're the GPs of all things neurological. That means they treat many, many conditions, making it unlikely that they have the time, knowledge, or ability to specialize in an of them.
Doctors finishing medical school now have an opportunity that's been available for only a few years. They can now complete a residency in headache and Migraine treatment. It's a neurology subspecialty residency. It doesn't make that doctor a specialist, but it certainly means that when they begin their medical practice, they'll have more headache and Migraine education and experience under their belts than other new doctors. This is a step in the right direction.
Unfortunately, there aren't enough specialists in this field, and their ranks are not increasing. Many young doctors consider research opportunities when choosing their specialty fields, and NIH funding for headache disorders research is so near nonexistent that it's a less attractive field to these doctors than many other fields.
The shortage of qualified specialists means that you may have to spend some time locating one. You may have to travel to one farther from home than you would like, and you may have to wait (perhaps for months) for an appointment. Still, if you're having problems getting an accurate diagnosis or finding the right treatment regimen, seeking care from a qualified Migraine and headache specialist is the best way to go.
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© Teri Robert, 2008
Last updated June 19, 2008.
