Diagnosing Migraine: Why Your Story Matters More Than a Scan

You walk into your GP’s office, exhausted, in pain, and desperate for answers.
You’ve had another one of those headaches, the kind that makes light feel like daggers and sound feel unbearable.

The GP listens, nods, maybe runs a few tests. But here’s what many people don’t realise: migraine diagnosis isn’t made by a scan, it’s made by your story.

There’s currently no blood test, CT scan, or MRI that can diagnose migraine. These tools are useful to rule out other causes, but the key to identifying migraine lies in a detailed medical history and neurological assessment.

In fact, according to the International Headache Society, you can be diagnosed with migraine if:

1. Your headache lasts between 4 and 72 hours (without successful treatment).
   
   

2. You experience two or more of these:
   
   

   • Throbbing or pulsating pain on one side of the head
     
     

   • Moderate to severe intensity
     
     

   • Worsening with physical activity
     
     

3. You also experience one or more of the following:
   
   

   • Nausea or vomiting
     
     

   • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
     
     

   • Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia)
     
     

In other words, migraine diagnosis is clinical, it’s based on what you feel, how long it lasts, and how it affects your life.

That’s why I encourage all my patients to keep a migraine diary.
Track your symptoms, frequency, triggers, and even family history. These details help your healthcare provider make the right call and prevent misdiagnosis.

In my practice, consultations can last up to two hours because I want to understand every piece of your puzzle. My goal is always the same: to find the root cause and guide you toward lasting relief, not just temporary comfort.

A clear diagnosis is the doorway to healing. Once you know what’s happening in your body, you can move from confusion to clarity, and from pain to a plan.

✨ Ready to take the first step?
Take the free Migraine Assessment here → https://forms.office.com/e/G4UC8zUDXu