Private headache clinic in London, same-day specialist medicine.
Almost everyone gets headaches, and the great majority are tension-type or migraine. A small number signal something needing urgent attention, and they are identified by specific features rather than by severity — a very painful headache is usually a migraine, while a dangerous one can be moderate. Our private specialist medicine clinic in East London offers same-day headache assessment with a private specialist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
The condition
What is headache?
Almost everyone gets headaches, and the great majority are tension-type or migraine. A small number signal something needing urgent attention, and they are identified by specific features rather than by severity — a very painful headache is usually a migraine, while a dangerous one can be moderate.
- What headache is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding headache
Headache: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Call 999 if a headache is
- sudden and severe, peaking within seconds to a minute — thunderclap headache
- with neck stiffness, fever or a rash that does not fade
- with weakness, numbness, visual loss or difficulty speaking
- with confusion, drowsiness or a seizure
- after a head injury, particularly if you take anticoagulants
- with a red painful eye and blurred vision or haloes
A thunderclap headache reaching maximum intensity within a minute may be a subarachnoid haemorrhage and needs immediate assessment even if it settles. Headache with fever and neck stiffness may be meningitis. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
Other features needing prompt assessment
- a new headache over the age of 50, particularly with scalp tenderness or jaw ache on chewing — possible giant cell arteritis, which can cause sudden blindness
- headache worse on lying down, coughing, straining or bending
- headache that wakes you from sleep, or is worst first thing and improves through the day
- a headache that has changed in character from your usual pattern
- headache with weight loss, fever or night sweats
- headache in someone immunosuppressed or with a history of cancer
- headache in pregnancy or just after birth, with visual change or swelling
The common types
- Tension-type — a band of pressure around the head, both sides, mild to moderate, not worsened by activity, without nausea. The commonest by far.
- Migraine — usually one-sided, throbbing, moderate to severe, lasting 4 to 72 hours, worsened by movement, with nausea and dislike of light or sound. Sometimes preceded by aura.
- Cluster headache — excruciating pain around one eye, lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours, occurring daily in bouts over weeks, with a red watering eye, drooping lid and blocked nostril on that side. People are restless and pace rather than lying still.
- Sinus headache — genuinely uncommon, and frequently a misdiagnosed migraine. Real sinusitis has nasal blockage and discoloured discharge.
- Cervicogenic — arising from the neck, often one-sided, with restricted neck movement.
Medication overuse headache
Taking painkillers for headache on 10 or more days a month for simple analgesics, or 15 or more for triptans, codeine or combination painkillers, causes the very headaches you are treating. It creeps up over months and produces a near-daily background headache. The only treatment is stopping the painkillers, which causes a worse headache for one to two weeks before it improves substantially. This is extremely common, rarely recognised, and entirely reversible — but it needs planning and support rather than willpower alone.
Cluster headache is not migraine
It is often misdiagnosed for years, and the treatments are different: high-flow oxygen and injectable or nasal triptans for attacks, and verapamil for prevention. Ordinary painkillers do nothing — attacks are over before tablets are absorbed. If you have strictly one-sided attacks around the eye with tearing and a blocked nose, lasting under three hours and coming in daily bouts, say so specifically.
Do you need a scan?
For most headaches, no. Imaging is not recommended for typical migraine or tension-type headache with a normal examination, because the yield is very low and incidental findings cause harm. Scans are indicated where red flags are present, the examination is abnormal, the pattern has changed, or there is a specific concern — and in those situations they should be arranged promptly.
Keeping a diary
Two months of a simple headache diary — date, duration, severity, features, what you took and how many days a month — is more useful than any test for headaches without red flags. It identifies the type, reveals medication overuse, and shows triggers. Bring it to your appointment.
Specialist medicine services we offer
Expert care under one roof
From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.
Private GP
Same-day GP to start your care.
Specialist Medicine
Access to specialists & referral.
MRI & Imaging
Fast brain & spine MRI access.
Private Blood Tests
Diagnostic blood tests, explained.
Headache & Migraine
Diagnosis & a treatment plan.
Mental Health
Where mood or memory is affected.
Simple & reassuring
Seen today, in three easy steps
Book in a minute
Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
Seen quickly
A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private specialist for headache in London
At our private specialist medicine clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private specialist or headache doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant specialist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about headache.
Local, private, fast
A private specialist medicine clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private headache appointment with a specialist, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private specialist medicine clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and specialist medicine under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private specialist for headache — the same day.
Book a private headache assessment in East London: same-day appointments, specialist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Headache in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private headache specialist near me in East London?
Our private specialist medicine clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private specialist or headache doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private specialist for headache the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a specialist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private headache appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the headache assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private specialist for headache?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a specialist, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private headache care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.