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Best Headache Medicine specialists in California

Match with a top Headache Medicine specialist in California — priority appointment in days, not months.

Headache Medicine · California
Andrew Charles

Andrew Charles, MD

Headache Medicine | Neurology

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA
Robert Cowan

Robert Cowan, MD

Clinical Professor, Adult Neurology; Clinical Professor (By courtesy), Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Neurology

Stanford, CA
Peter Goadsby

Peter Goadsby, MD

Professor of Neurology

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA
Morris Levin

Morris Levin, M.D.

Professor of Neurology; Director, UCSF Headache Center

Neurology

San Francisco, CA
Nathaniel Schuster

Nathaniel Schuster, M.D.

Associate Clinic Director, UC San Diego Center for Pain Medicine

Neurology

San Diego, CA
Joshua Kamins

Joshua Kamins, M.D.

Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA
Meredith Barad

Meredith Barad, MD

Clinical Associate Professor, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Neurology

Redwood City, CA
Kasra Maasumi

Kasra Maasumi, M.D.

Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University Medical Center

Neurology

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Maggie Waung

Maggie Waung, M.D., PH.D.

Neurology

Neurology

San Francisco, CA
Alan Rapoport

Alan Rapoport, M.D.

Clinical Professor of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA
Nayan Desai

Nayan Desai, MD

Neurology

Mountain View, CA
David Kudrow

David Kudrow, MD

Director, California Medical Clinic for Headache

Neurology

Santa Moncia, CA
Emily Engel

Emily Engel, M.D.

director of the Dalessio Headache Center

Neurology

La Jolla, CA
Nina Riggins

Nina Riggins, M.D.

Headache Center of Excellence, Headache Center at UC San Diego

Neurology

San Diego, CA
Hossein Ansari

Hossein Ansari, M.D.

Director of Headache and Facial pain Clinic

Neurology

San Diego, CA
Soma Sahai-Srivastava

Soma Sahai-Srivastava, M.D.

Clinical Professor of Neurology, USC Keck School of Medicine

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA
Andrew Blumenfeld

Andrew Blumenfeld, M.D.

Director, Headache Center of Southern California

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA
Kristen Steenerson

Kristen Steenerson, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology, Stanford University

Neurology

Stanford, CA
Nada Hindiyeh

Nada Hindiyeh, MD

Chief Medical Officer, Haven Headache Specialists

Neurology

San Francisco, CA
Charles Flippen

Charles Flippen, MD

Richard and Ruth Walter Professor of Neurology; Vice Chair for Education, Department of Neurology; Associate Dean of the Center for Continuing Professional Development, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Neurology

Los Angeles, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Headache Medicine neurologist do?
A Headache Medicine neurologist is a Neurology physician with focused training in the diagnosis and treatment of headache and migraine disorders, including treatment-resistant cases. After completing Neurology residency, they pursue additional fellowship training so they can manage cases that fall outside what a general neurologist typically handles day to day.
What conditions does a Headache Medicine neurologist treat?
A Headache Medicine neurologist commonly treats chronic migraine, cluster headache, tension-type headache, medication-overuse headache, post-traumatic headache, and trigeminal neuralgia. Many also see closely related conditions within Neurology, particularly when a case is complex, atypical, or has not responded to first-line care from a general neurologist.
When should I see a Headache Medicine neurologist?
Consider seeing a Headache Medicine neurologist when your headaches are frequent, disabling, or have not improved with standard medications, when a primary care clinician or general neurologist suggests a focused evaluation, or when you want a second opinion from a physician whose practice is concentrated on this exact area. Patients often reach a Headache Medicine neurologist through referral, but you can also seek one directly.
How is a Headache Medicine neurologist different from a general neurologist?
Both are board-eligible neurologists, but a Headache Medicine neurologist has additional fellowship training and a practice that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of headache and migraine disorders, including treatment-resistant cases. General neurologists treat a broad range of Neurology concerns; Headache Medicine neurologists concentrate on the harder or more specific cases within that range, and tend to see a higher volume of patients with chronic migraine, cluster headache, tension-type headache, medication-overuse headache, post-traumatic headache, and trigeminal neuralgia.
How does Convene match me with a top Headache Medicine neurologist?
Convene Health evaluates neurologists on peer recognition, clinical leadership, published research, institutional affiliations, and patient feedback. When you complete an intake, our care team reviews your history and matches you with a vetted Headache Medicine neurologist whose focus aligns with your case. Membership covers priority appointment coordination; the match itself is free.