Do I Need a Neurologist or a PCP for My Headaches?

When it comes to headaches, most people go straight to their primary care physician, and that's perfectly fine, especially for new or mild headaches. However, if headaches, migraines, or other neurological symptoms persist, the decision may eventually be made to see a neurologist.

This situation is a lot more common than we think. In the Libertyville and Lake County area, many people start wondering who they should see and when to go. We'll be providing information on how to make that decision in a practical, clear, and clinically valid way.

To schedule with a Libertyville neurologist: CLICK HERE

What Causes Headaches (and Why the Provider Matters)

There are many potential causes for headaches, including stress-related, hormonal, neurological, chronic, and migraine-based. The type of medical provider you see largely depends on the type of headache you're experiencing and its impact.

Common categories include:

✔ Tension headaches

✔ Migraines

✔ Cluster headaches

✔ Sinus-related headaches

✔ Hormonal or menstrual-related migraines

✔ Vestibular or dizziness-associated headaches

✔ Nerve-related head pain

Tension-type headaches, often due to dehydration, stress, and irregular sleep patterns, can be effectively treated by primary care physicians, who will also provide first-line advice. When headaches are more neurological in nature, chronic, or become disabling, neurologists usually come into play.

To learn more about A Ray of Hope’s migraine and headache care: CLICK HERE

When a PCP Is the Right Starting Point

Seeing a PCP is appropriate when:

✔ Headaches are new and not severe

✔ Symptoms are infrequent or short-lived

✔ No neurological symptoms are present

✔ Headaches respond to over-the-counter medication

✔ A diagnosis of migraine has never been established

Primary care evaluation usually focuses on headache history, lifestyle factors, and basic treatment strategies. For many patients, this is effective, and all that is needed.

When a Neurologist Should Evaluate Headaches

Neurologists specialize in disorders involving the brain and nervous system. A neurologist can take a deeper look at the issue when headaches start to interfere with a person's daily life.

Signs that point to neurology include:

✔ Headaches more than 4–8 days per month

✔ Migraines with aura (visual changes, numbness, speech issues)

✔ Headaches are worsening over time

✔ Headaches resistant to medication

✔ Associated dizziness or vertigo

✔ Tingling, numbness, or vision changes

✔ New headaches after age 40

✔ Headaches that disrupt school, work, or home life

The patterns of these headaches are well-known to headache specialists and are commonly used as a criterion for neurology referrals in Lake County and the northern Chicago suburbs, including those at A Ray of Hope.

To view our neurology providers: CLICK HERE

How Neurologists Diagnose Headaches

The neurological assessment is often more in-depth when diagnosing a headache. When it comes to migraines, cluster headaches, vertigo, or weird changes in the nervous system, neurologists really get to know the headache patterns, the patient’s family medical history, other neurological symptoms, and how the headache affects the person’s daily life.

Neurologists may order imaging or neurology tests to rule out structural problems or blood vessel blockages. Sophisticated treatments such as Botox injections and Sphenocath are usually only found at neurology clinics, like at A Ray of Hope.

✔ Botox therapy → used for chronic migraines when medication isn’t enough

✔ Sphenocath → used for select headache and migraine pain syndromes

✔ Preventive medications → neurology manages long-term therapy plans

✔ Abortive medications → used during migraine attacks

✔ Lifestyle + behavioral support → often necessary for sustained relief

To learn “What Does a Neurologist Treat?”: CLICK HERE

A helpful primer on when headache care needs to escalate can be found through Healthline: CLICK HERE

When to See a Neurologist Instead of a PCP 

If you live in Libertyville, Gurnee, Mundelein, or Vernon Hills and headaches or migraines are impacting your ability to work, parent, or sleep, a neurologist is appropriate.

Primary care physicians (PCP) cover general medical care, but neurologists are the specialists when it comes to pain originating in the head

✔ Chronic migraines (15+ days/month)

✔ Repeat urgent care or ER visits

✔ Migraine with aura

✔ Headaches disrupting school or work

✔ Sensory or vision changes

✔ Medication overuse headaches

Neurology access also matters—patients in Lake County often seek specialists to avoid a long travel to Chicago for headache care.

Read more about Neurologist services in Lake County, IL HERE

Quality headache or migraine treatment options are available in the comforts of Lake County.

To schedule with a Libertyville neurologist: CLICK HERE

Final Considerations for Libertyville Patients

Headaches start as a nuisance, but become a neurological issue when they take over daily life. Understanding when to transition from a PCP to a neurologist helps patients avoid unnecessary delays in treatment—especially for migraine, aura, and chronic headache syndromes.

Neurology care is available locally in Libertyville, making specialty care more accessible for patients across Lake County.

✔ To view our neurology providers: CLICK HERE

✔ To request an appointment: CLICK HERE

FAQs

Do migraines always require a neurologist?

Not always. Many patients start with a PCP. Neurology becomes appropriate when headaches escalate, disrupt functioning, or need specialized treatments.

Do neurologists prescribe migraine medications?

Yes. Neurologists manage preventive, abortive, and advanced migraine medications alongside procedural treatments.

Can a neurologist treat tension headaches?

Yes, particularly when tension headaches become chronic or appear linked to neurological triggers.