Treating Migraines

Are chronic migraines making it hard for you to work, enjoy daily life or even leave your bed? Our headache specialists are here to help bring you relief – and more migraine-free days.

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Why Choose Us for Your Migraine Care?

At Providence, we understand how much migraines can impair your life. We have the expert care you need to manage yours.

Doctor speaking with patient

A migraine is a severe headache that can be accompanied by nausea, fatigue and blurred vision. At Providence, we don’t just treat your migraines – we also search for their neurological cause. Then we make a personalized treatment plan to help you control them.

Our board-certified headache specialists work closely with nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat your migraines. Depending on the type and severity of your migraine, your care team may also include board-certified general neurologists and pain specialists at one of our pain clinics. In many of our locations, these clinicians are all conveniently under one roof, so you don’t have to travel extensively to get the relief you need.

With so many migraine treatment options available, you don’t need to suffer. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding known migraine triggers like too much alcohol or caffeine, can be effective for some patients. Others may need medications or injections such as Botox or nerve blocks to relieve their pain. At Providence, we offer all treatment options. Your headache specialist will help you find the one that provides the relief you need.

At Providence, we are committed to providing access to the best migraine care across our diverse community. We respect and support the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and spiritual identities of our patients. We offer location-specific translation services for non-English-speaking patients and help with transportation. And, in keeping with our Mission, Providence offers financial assistance programs that provide free and low-cost care to those who are eligible.

As a patient at Providence, you benefit from one of the largest networks of neuroscience experts in the country. We have award-winning physicians, including renowned headache specialists, scientists and researchers across 51 hospitals in seven states. Our network is one of the reasons we care for patients with migraines through more than 7,000 appointments every year.

Our Commitment to Care

“Often, people who suffer from migraines or severe headaches think there isn’t any relief available. But there is. A headache specialist will help you look at the whole picture. We’ll get familiar with your symptoms and your goals and your daily life. Then we’ll create a plan that will help you feel better.”

H. Alexander Krob, M.D. - Neurologist
Providence Brain and Spine Institute, Oregon

More About Migraines

Migraines are intense headaches that can cause severe pain and make it hard to function or even move. They often come with other symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound and can last for hours or even days. Sometimes the cause of migraines is unknown, or they’re related to other health conditions such as epilepsy or depression. At other times, triggers such as stress, strong smells, changes in the weather or poor sleep can cause migraines.

Migraine types we treat include:

  • Hemiplegic migraines
  • Migraine aura without headache
  • Migraines with aura
  • Migraines without aura
  • Vestibular migraines

Testing and Diagnostics

Doctor smiling with senior patient

Most migraines are diagnosed through clinical criteria. This involves matching your symptoms to medical migraine standards. Further testing is generally not required unless you experience one or more of the following, in which case you should seek immediate medical care:

  • A recent change in the intensity or frequency of headaches
  • New daily, persistent headaches
  • New headaches after age 50
  • Symptoms such as fever and weight loss

Personalized Treatment for Migraines

No two patients are the same. This is why your care team works with you to create a treatment plan based specifically on your migraine type and symptoms. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

  • Botox injections
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Natural remedies
  • Prescription medications

Find Neurological Care Close to You

Meet the Team

At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

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