How Primary Care Providers Help Manage Chronic Migraines

Migraines are not regular headaches, and they are more common than many people realize. When left unmanaged, they can quietly take over workdays, family time and sleep. If you live with frequent migraines, your primary care provider (PCP) can be your first and most powerful partner in managing them. 

“At least one billion people globally live with migraines,” says Arezou Rezaeian, MD, a Covenant Health primary care resident at the Methodist Family Medicine Clinic in Oak Ridge. “They are one of the most common and disabling neurological conditions we see, and we’re here to help you manage them.” 

Headaches vs. Chronic Migraines  

A regular headache is usually mild and short-lived. It may improve with rest, water or over-the-counter medicine. Migraines are different and often more severe. 

“Migraines are a neurological condition,” Dr. Rezaeian explains. “They often cause intense head pain along with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, visual changes and trouble with daily activities.” 

Migraines become chronic when headaches occur 15 or more days a month for at least three months, with migraine symptoms present on eight or more of those days. These attacks can last for hours or even days and often disrupt work, sleep and quality of life. 

Why Talking to Your PCP Matters 

Migraines are not something to endure alone. Many people try to push through the pain, but migraines can often be effectively managed in a primary care setting. 

“Primary care is the main entry point for migraine care,” says Dr. Rezaeian. “About two-thirds of migraine patients are managed entirely by their PCP.”  

Your PCP knows your health history. They can spot patterns, rule out other causes and treat migraines as an ongoing condition rather than isolated episodes. Early care makes a difference. 

“Many people with migraines are underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed,” she says. “Early diagnosis can help prevent migraines from getting worse over time.” 

How Your PCP Helps Manage Chronic Migraines 

Your provider may ask you to track symptoms, timing, triggers and treatments. From there, they create a plan that fits your life. That plan may include: 

• Medications to stop migraines when they start 
• Prevention medications to reduce how often migraines happen 
• Changes to sleep, stress and daily routines 
• Regular follow-ups to adjust care over time 

“When migraines are treated early and monitored closely, many people see real improvement,” Dr. Rezaeian says. 

If warning signs appear, such as sudden changes, worsening symptoms or poor response to treatment, your PCP can coordinate testing or specialist care when needed. 

Everyday Habits Make a Difference 

Small changes to routines and new habits can help lower migraine frequency. Dr. Rezaeian recommends: 

• Keeping a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends 
• Drinking enough water and eating regular meals 
• Managing stress with breathing or mindfulness 
• Staying active with regular exercise 
• Tracking migraines to identify personal triggers 

“These steps sound simple, but together they can reduce attacks and improve quality of life,” she adds.  

Primary Care at Covenant Health 

Covenant Health offers accessible primary care you can trust across East Tennessee. Our providers build long-term relationships and create care plans tailored to each patient. 

“Because Covenant Health is the largest healthcare provider in East Tennessee, we can connect patients with specialists and coordinate their care to ensure continuity,” Dr. Rezaeian explains. “Patients are supported every step of the way.” 

If migraines affect your life, now is the time to talk to your PCP. 

“Taking that first step to talk to a PCP can lead to better symptom control and a better quality of life,” Dr. Rezaeian says. “You don’t have to manage migraines alone.” 

Find a Covenant Health primary care provider or location near you today.