Comprehensive headache treatment at Quirónsalud Torrevieja

At Quirónsalud Torrevieja, we offer comprehensive headache treatment, providing patients with access to the most advanced and innovative therapeutic methods.

Our Headache Treatment Program is designed for all patients who suffer from various types of headaches.

The program includes ongoing, personalized care and constant contact with the medical team, whose goal is to effectively manage pain from the moment of diagnosis. If necessary, treatment can be expanded to include modern therapeutic methods such as radiofrequency, neuropsychology, transcranial magnetic stimulation, nerve blocks using anesthetics, vascular microdecompression, and other advanced therapies.

Why Choose the Headache Treatment Program at Quirónsalud Torrevieja?

At Quirónsalud Torrevieja, a specialist will conduct a detailed assessment of the type of headache, order the necessary diagnostic tests, and refer the patient for a consultation with a neurological nurse.

During the consultation, the patient receives detailed information about their condition. Daily habits, such as diet, physical activity, and sleep quality, are also reviewed. Based on this information, lifestyle and dietary recommendations are provided that can help improve the patient’s quality of life. The nurse and neurologist work together to monitor the course of treatment until the condition is effectively controlled.

Modern treatment methods

• oral medication,
• therapy using a botulinum toxin,
• monoclonal antibodies,
• nerve blocks using anesthetics,
• radiofrequency,
• support from a specialized pain management clinic.

A personalized approach to each patient

Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their condition and individual needs.

Ongoing contact with specialists

Our specialists stay in close contact with patients, answering questions promptly and on an ongoing basis during appointments, over the phone, and via email.

The program is available at all Quirónsalud facilities in the province of Alicante. It is the only private healthcare network in the region offering this type of specialized care.

The goal of the program is to effectively treat both the headaches themselves and any medical complications associated with this condition.

Learn more about headaches with Dr. Erika Torres San Narciso

> Dr. Erika Torres San Narciso, a neurologist specializing in the treatment of headaches, explains the causes of these conditions, their symptoms, and the available treatment options.

What is a headache?

A headache, known in medical terms as cephalgia, is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. It is a symptom that affects nearly everyone at least once in their lifetime and can have many different causes.

The severity of pain can vary widely—from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain that significantly limits daily functioning. As a result, headaches can negatively impact patients’ professional, family, and social lives, reducing their quality of life.

That is why it is so important to see a specialist as soon as possible to get an accurate diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment.

What are the different types of headaches?

There are two main types of headaches: primary and secondary.

Primary headaches

These are pains that are not associated with any other condition and constitute a separate medical condition.

The most common ones include:

• episodic migraine with or without aura,
• chronic migraine,
• tension headache,
• headache caused by the cold,
• cluster headache,
• medication-overuse headache,
• exercise-induced headache,
• headaches associated with sexual activity.

Secondary headaches

In this case, the pain is a symptom of another condition or disorder.

Examples include headaches associated with:

• fever,
• prolonged fasting,
• a hangover,
• eye disorders,
• infections,
• injuries,
• brain tumors.

Headaches are the most common reason for neurological consultations. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial, as they help prevent the condition from becoming chronic and minimize its impact on the patient’s daily life.

What are the symptoms of headaches?

Migraine

A migraine most often manifests as pain on one side of the head, although it can also affect the area around the eye or the space behind the eyeball. The pain is usually throbbing or feels like intense pressure.

Migraines are often accompanied by:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• sensitivity to light,
• hypersensitivity to sounds,
• hypersensitivity to odors.

In some cases, a migraine aura precedes the onset of pain, including visual disturbances, tingling in the limbs, or difficulty speaking.

Tension headache

A tension headache usually affects the entire head and is described as a feeling of tightness or a "band" around the forehead, temples, or back of the head.

Although it is less severe than a migraine and less likely to interfere with daily activities, it can be very debilitating due to its chronic nature and the fact that it persists for a long time.

As part of our Headache Treatment Program, we also treat less common conditions, such as:

• trigeminal neuralgia,
• occipital neuralgia,
• cluster headache.

What headache treatments are available?

Non-pharmacological treatment

Certain factors can increase the risk of migraine attacks, including diet, sleep quality, physical activity, and the overuse of pain relievers. That is why it is extremely important to follow proper lifestyle guidelines and maintain healthy habits.

The basic recommendations include:

• maintaining a regular sleep schedule,
• adequate hydration,
• a healthy and balanced diet,
• regular physical activity,
• stress reduction,
• avoiding overuse of pain relievers.

Pharmacological treatment

There are two main types of treatment used for headaches:

Symptomatic treatment

Its purpose is to control and relieve headaches.

Preventive treatment

It is designed to reduce the frequency of headaches and lessen their severity.

The available methods include:

• oral medication,
• a neuromuscular toxin,
• monoclonal antibodies against CGRP,
• infiltrations using anesthetics.

Muscle neurotoxin

This therapy is intended for patients suffering from migraines or chronic tension headaches who have not seen improvement with previous treatments.

It involves administering small doses of a neuromodulatory substance to specific muscles in the skull. In patients who respond well to the treatment, the effects may last for several months.

Modern monoclonal antibodies for migraine (Anti-CGRP)

This is one of the newest methods of preventive migraine treatment.

These therapies have been developed specifically for patients in whom other available treatments have not produced the desired results.

The treatment is administered once a month or once every three months using an easy-to-use injector. The therapy is available in a hospital setting.

Treatment using anesthetics

Certain types of headaches respond well to the administration of specialized medications—most often anesthetics—at specific points associated with the source of the pain.

Other treatment methods

Radiofrequency – Pain Management Clinic

Radiofrequency therapy uses a high-frequency electrical current that flows through a special cannula that is insulated along its entire length except for a 2–4 mm tip.

The tip is the active component of the device responsible for the therapeutic effect. The flow of current causes the temperature to rise, which is strictly controlled.

An increase in temperature within a specific structure—most commonly a sensory nerve responsible for pain transmission—can lead to the interruption of pain signal transmission (thermal radiofrequency) or their modulation (pulsed radiofrequency).

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and with sedation. All procedures are performed under ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance, if necessary.

Surgical treatment

In some cases involving cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders, surgical treatment involving the implantation of a programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt may be necessary.

This system, which often includes an anti-gravity mechanism, helps prevent excessive drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. The patient then remains under the care of a neurosurgical team, which monitors and adjusts the valve settings.

Certain conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia or cluster headaches, may also require more advanced surgical procedures, including:

• vascular microdecompression,
• rhizotomy,
• implantation of a pterygopalatine ganglion stimulator.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

This method involves the non-invasive stimulation of the brain's surface using a specialized device that generates magnetic pulses.

This is a modern treatment used for selected patients suffering from chronic headaches and other neurological conditions.

When should a headache be cause for concern?

You should consider seeking immediate medical attention or going to the hospital emergency room in the following situations:

• when a headache comes on suddenly and becomes very severe,
• when the nature of the pain differs from what you have experienced before,
• when a headache is accompanied by neurological symptoms, such as vision problems, difficulty speaking, or weakness in the limbs,
• when general symptoms such as fever or vomiting are present,
• when the pain wakes the patient from sleep and does not subside despite the use of pain medication.

How can we help?

If you would like more information about our Headache Treatment Program, please contact us using the contact form. We will respond as soon as possible.