What Does a Neurologist Do?
January 26, 2026
Neurology is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system — the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. Neurologists are physicians (MD or DO) who have completed a residency in neurology after medical school, often followed by a fellowship in a subspecialty area.
What Conditions Do Neurologists Treat?
The breadth of neurology is enormous. Common conditions include migraine and headache disorders, epilepsy and seizure disorders, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and other dementias, neuropathy, and movement disorders. Neurologists also work closely with neurosurgeons, though neurologists themselves do not perform surgery.
When Should You See a Neurologist?
Your primary care physician will typically refer you to a neurologist if you have symptoms like recurring severe headaches, unexplained numbness or weakness, seizures, memory problems, tremors, or coordination difficulties. You can search for neurologists by state on DoctorDataHub to get a sense of who's practicing in your area.
Neurology Subspecialties
Within neurology there are many subspecialties: epilepsy, sleep medicine, neuro-oncology, stroke (vascular neurology), pediatric neurology, and neuromuscular medicine, among others. Each has its own NUCC taxonomy code in NPPES. Browse the full list through the specialty index.