Headache and Pain Care and Research Unit

Managers

Headache and pain care and research unit

Dedicated to adults and children, the Headache and Pain Care and Research Unit (head Prof. Piero Barbanti) represents one of the first nationwide initiatives in rehabilitation aimed at functional pain rehabilitation.

Addresses the treatment of patients, both adults and children, with migraine, chronic headaches and chronic algias.

According to the World Health Organization, migraine is among the top 12 most disabling diseases of humankind. Twelve percent of adults worldwide suffer from it.
In Italy, 6 million people struggle with headaches. Three-quarters are women.
The severity of migraine attacks can vary greatly but is never mild; typical symptoms include sensitivity to light, noise, and motion and nausea and vomiting in addition to the headache.

Therapies for headaches must take into account each individual patient’s clichnic and psychological history, and thus must be highly individualized.

Headache and pain care and research unit

Dedicated to adults and children, the Headache and Pain Care and Research Unit (head Prof. Piero Barbanti) represents one of the first nationwide initiatives in rehabilitation aimed at functional pain rehabilitation.

Addresses the treatment of patients, both adults and children, with migraine, chronic headaches and chronic algias.

According to the World Health Organization, migraine is among the top 12 most disabling diseases of humankind. Twelve percent of adults worldwide suffer from it.
In Italy, 6 million people struggle with headaches. Three-quarters are women.
The severity of migraine attacks can vary greatly but is never mild; typical symptoms include sensitivity to light, noise, and motion and nausea and vomiting in addition to the headache.

Therapies for headaches must take into account each individual patient’s clichnic and psychological history, and thus must be highly individualized.

Diagnosis and therapy

In San Raffaele’s Headache and Pain Care and Research Unit, the patient is followed, with an initially diagnostic approach: the characteristics of the headache are identified, genetic, neurophysiological and neuroradiological investigation into the origin of the pain is carried out where necessary.

This is followed by the therapeutic phase, which takes into account the physical, psychological and pharmacological rehabilitation aspect (including weaning in cases of drug abuse), up to close follow-up through dedicated outpatient clinics.

Diagnosis and therapy

In San Raffaele’s Headache and Pain Care and Research Unit, the patient is followed, with an initially diagnostic approach: the characteristics of the headache are identified, genetic, neurophysiological and neuroradiological investigation into the origin of the pain is carried out where necessary.

This is followed by the therapeutic phase, which takes into account the physical, psychological and pharmacological rehabilitation aspect (including weaning in cases of drug abuse), up to close follow-up through dedicated outpatient clinics.

Headache in the child

The center also treats headache and migraine in children.

Migraines affect 5-10% of children who suffer from headaches. It usually manifests as a throbbing, rather severe pain.
Younger children experience pain on both sides of the head. The older ones feel it on one side only.
Migraine attacks in children are less long lasting than in adults. They can last from two hours to two days. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some children may also have aura, which is a series of visual discomforts (twinkles, spots) that precede the attack.

Headache in the child

The center also treats headache and migraine in children.

Migraines affect 5-10% of children who suffer from headaches. It usually manifests as a throbbing, rather severe pain.
Younger children experience pain on both sides of the head. The older ones feel it on one side only.
Migraine attacks in children are less long lasting than in adults. They can last from two hours to two days. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some children may also have aura, which is a series of visual discomforts (twinkles, spots) that precede the attack.

Facilities