At Mir Neurology, our board-certified neurologists diagnose and treat chronic headaches and migraines for patients across Western Maryland, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and South-Central Pennsylvania. The first step to real relief is knowing exactly which type of headache you have β because the treatment for a tension headache, a migraine, and a rebound headache are completely different.
Request an Appointment or call (301) 797-7600.
Seek emergency care: Call 911 for a "thunderclap" headache β a sudden, severe headache that peaks within seconds, or the worst headache of your life. Also seek urgent care for a headache with fever and stiff neck, confusion, weakness, vision loss, trouble speaking, or one that follows a head injury.
Types of Headaches We Treat
"Headache" isn't one thing. Getting the type right is what points to the treatment that will actually help:
| Headache type | What it feels like | What it usually needs |
|---|---|---|
| Tension headache | Dull, tight, band-like pressure on both sides | The most common type; usually mild-to-moderate and manageable |
| Migraine | Moderate-severe throbbing, often one-sided, with nausea and light/sound sensitivity | Acute and preventive treatment β see our full migraine page |
| Cluster headache | Excruciating pain around one eye, in cyclical clusters | Rare but severe; needs specialist treatment |
| Chronic daily headache | Headaches on 15 or more days a month | Usually needs a preventive plan |
| Medication-overuse (rebound) | Headaches that worsen with frequent pain-med use | Treated by breaking the cycle with a guided plan |
| Cervicogenic / secondary | Pain starting in the neck, or caused by another condition | We find and treat the underlying cause |
When to See a Headache Specialist
Occasional headaches are normal. It's worth seeing a neurologist when headaches start running your life. Book an evaluation if you have:
- Headaches more than a few times a month
- Headaches that are getting worse, or changing in pattern
- Headaches that don't respond to over-the-counter medication
- Headaches that interfere with work, sleep, or daily life
- Headaches alongside other neurological symptoms
A specialist doesn't just treat the pain in front of you β they identify your triggers and put a plan in place to prevent the next attack.
How We Diagnose the Cause of Your Headaches
An accurate diagnosis comes from a careful evaluation, not a guess:
- A detailed history of your headache pattern, triggers, and symptoms
- A neurological exam
- A headache diary to spot patterns you might miss day to day
- Imaging, such as MRI, when it's needed to rule out a secondary cause
Headache & Migraine Treatment Options
Care is matched to your headache type and how often it hits. Options include:
- Acute (rescue) treatment β to stop a headache once it starts
- Preventive medication β taken regularly to reduce how often and how hard headaches hit
- Trigger and lifestyle management β sleep, hydration, stress, and diet
- Modern migraine therapies β including CGRP-targeted options for migraine that older treatments didn't control
- Botox for chronic migraine β an FDA-approved preventive for people with 15+ headache days a month
- Breaking the rebound cycle β for medication-overuse headaches
Chronic migraine? Botox may be covered by your insurance.
If you have 15+ headache days a month, you may qualify for Botox β an FDA-approved preventive we provide in-office.
Learn about Botox for migraineWhat Our Patients Say
Rated 4.5β across 400+ Google reviews β one of the most reviewed neurology practices in the region.
"Extremely impressed with Dr. Mir and his staff. He is so thorough, considerate and knowledgeable. I am beyond thankful for the time he spent with me to determine and treat the cause of my pain. A+++"
"If you are looking for a neurologist, I highly recommend Dr. Mir and his wonderful staff. They treat you like a person and truly care about your well being."
A Headache Specialist Near You β Serving Western Maryland & the Tri-State Area
With offices in Cumberland and Hagerstown, you can see a headache specialist near you instead of driving to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, or D.C.
Maryland
Cumberland, Hagerstown, LaVale, Frostburg, Cresaptown, Hancock, Williamsport, Smithsburg, Boonsboro
West Virginia
Martinsburg, Keyser, Romney, Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw
Pennsylvania
Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg, Mercersburg
Cumberland office: 924 Seton Dr Suite C, Cumberland, MD 21502 β MonβSat, 7:30 AM β 4:30 PM
Hagerstown office: 11110 Medical Campus Rd Unit 151, Hagerstown, MD 21742 β MonβFri, 7:30 AM β 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of doctor treats chronic headaches?
A neurologist is the specialist for chronic and severe headaches. Neurologists diagnose the specific headache type, identify triggers, and build acute and preventive treatment plans β including options like Botox for chronic migraine.
When should I see a neurologist for headaches?
When headaches are frequent, worsening, unresponsive to over-the-counter medication, new after age 50, or come with other neurological symptoms. Seek emergency care for a sudden "thunderclap" headache.
What's the difference between a migraine and a headache?
A headache is pain in the head; a migraine is a neurological condition with moderate-to-severe, often one-sided throbbing pain plus symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity. See our migraine page for in-depth care.
Does Botox really work for headaches?
Yes, for chronic migraine specifically β Botox is an FDA-approved preventive for people with 15 or more headache days a month, and can significantly cut headache days. See our Botox for migraine page.
Why do I get a headache almost every day?
Daily or near-daily headaches can be chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, or β commonly β medication-overuse (rebound) headache from frequent pain-reliever use. A neurologist can sort out which and reverse the cycle.
What is a rebound (medication-overuse) headache?
Frequent use of acute pain or migraine medication can paradoxically cause more headaches. Part of treatment is recognizing this pattern and replacing it with a better long-term plan.
Do I need a referral, and where can I find a headache specialist near me?
Many patients can self-refer, though some plans require a referral. Mir Neurology treats headaches and migraines at our Cumberland and Hagerstown offices β call (301) 797-7600 and we'll confirm your coverage.
Stop Guessing About Your Headaches
Get a real diagnosis and a plan that works. Schedule with a headache specialist at Mir Neurology in Cumberland or Hagerstown.
Request an appointment | (301) 797-7600
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.