In this second episode of Talking Head Pain: For the Healthcare Professional, our host Erik Stone speaks with Dr. Nina Riggins, a neurologist and leading headache specialist, about the critical role of preventive treatment in migraine care. They unpack common misconceptions among healthcare providers, explore when to start preventive therapies, and discuss how to avoid medication-overuse headache. With a focus on individualized care, health equity, and the latest advances in migraine prevention—such as CGRP-targeted therapies—this episode offers actionable insights to help providers intervene earlier and more effectively.

For more information about the program, and to access the UP-END Migraine initiative—including podcast episodes, video modules, quizzes, and survey insights—visit: ghlf.org/upendmigraine-education.

Meet the Team

Host: Erik Stone, Director of Data, Learning, and Evaluation at GHLF.

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director of Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

This podcast was made possible with support from Pfizer.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of Talking Head Pain: For the Healthcare Professional, our host Zoe Rothblatt sits down with Erik Stone, Director of Data, Learning, and Evaluation at GHLF, and a migraine patient advocate, to explore why getting a migraine diagnosis can feel like a battle—and what health care providers can do about it. Drawing on survey data from healthcare professionals and patients, Erik reveals key disconnects in how migraine is diagnosed and treated. They discuss disparities by race, gender, and socioeconomic status, and why many patients wait far too long for preventive treatment. If you treat patients with migraine, this episode offers insights to help close the gap between diagnosis and care.

For more information about the program, and to access the UP-END Migraine initiative—including podcast episodes, video modules, quizzes, and survey insights—visit: ghlf.org/upendmigraine-education.

Meet the Team

Host: Erik Stone, Director of Data, Learning, and Evaluation at GHLF.

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director of Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

This podcast was made possible with support from Pfizer.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Talking Head Pain, Joe sits down with neurology experts Dr. Saikali and Dr. Blumenfeld. They explore the significant advances from past therapies to today's targeted treatments that offer new hope for migraine patients. Discover how the integration of new medical strategies and patient education is reshaping the way the condition is managed, aiming for what Dr. Blumenfeld calls “crystal clear days” of no pain and optimal life quality.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:50: Dr. Blumenfeld explains the shift in migraine management toward specific and effective medications with fewer side effects

02:12: Dr. Saikali emphasizes the importance of patients bringing comprehensive medical histories to consultations to ensure effective and efficient treatment planning

04:42: Dr. Blumenfeld describes the patient-provider partnership as a journey toward migraine freedom, stressing the goal of achieving “crystal clear days”

06:44: Dr. Saikali discusses the critical role of addressing comorbid conditions to improve the effectiveness of migraine medications

09:02: Joe and Dr. Blumenfeld discuss the importance of breaking the cycle of frequent migraine with newer treatments

14:19: Dr. Saikali and Dr. Blumenfeld explore the stigma around migraine

19:31: Joe discusses how proper migraine treatment has enabled him to address other health issues, highlighting the holistic impact of effective migraine management

23:03: Dr. Saikali advocates for patients to keep a health journal or find personal ways to monitor their progress, stressing the individualized nature of treatment

25:28: Dr. Blumenfeld encourages patients to be proactive in seeking early treatment

Contact Our Hosts:

Joe Coe, Chief Value, Growth, and Therapeutic Solutions Officer, Country Manager, Canada at GHLF: jcoe@ghlf.org

Sarah Shaw, Associate Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at GHLF: sshaw@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.