About Robbins Headache Clinic

Robbins Headache Clinic is known as one of the nation’s best headache treatment centers, providing care that is more aggressive and advanced than many chronic headache sufferers have ever encountered. Each patient receives individual attention and personalized treatments selected from a wide range of remedies, including Botox injections, herbs, intravenous medication and stimulant medications. These cutting-edge methods often bring relief for especially severe and stubborn headache symptoms that had resisted all prior treatment. Care is coordinated with other specialties, such as physical therapy and psychotherapy.

The clinic treats migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, neck pain, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. It is located in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, Illinois.

About Doctor Lawrence Robbins

Lawrence Robbins, M.D., is considered to be one of the top 10 experts in the country on management of headache medication. He also is a leader in the field on "refractory" headaches: those that are difficult to treat. He started the American Headache Society section on refractory headaches, and has written as much on the topic as anyone in the world.

Doctor Robbins has spearheaded cutting edge research, ranging from the immune system in headache patients to Botox for headache. He was one of the first to recognize how headaches can be linked to anxiety and bipolar disorder. He remains one of the few headache doctors who treat psychological disorders.

View Dr. Robbins Curriculum Vitae in PDF format.

He repeatedly has been named one of America's Top Doctors since 2001, and also was named one of Chicago's Top Doctors by Chicago Magazine. He received the 2008 Clinical Pain Management Award, which is given by the American Academy of Pain Management to one physician per year who "has made a significant accomplishment in research and/or teaching in the field of interdisciplinary pain management."

Dr. Robbins has written more than 200 articles and abstracts. Published two print books, "Headache Help" and "Management of Headache and Headache Medications", that were very well reviewed, and both are bestsellers. He has published an ebook, "Headache 2013."

About Brooke Phenicie, Certified Nurse Practitioner

Brooke Phenicie, NP-C, is Dr. Robbins’ associate at the Robbins Headache Clinic. She received her bachelor of science in Nursing from Florida Gulf Coast University, and her master of science as a family nurse practitioner at Purdue University, where she earned top grades. Brooke is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She previously worked in a family practice and has experience treating a wide variety of medical conditions.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced academic credentials and extensive clinical experience. The NP works both independently and in collaboration with the physician, helping to manage acute and chronic conditions while focusing on the patient. Prevention, wellness, and patient education are the priorities. Nurse Practitioners treat physical and psychological conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, and ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests. They are licensed to diagnose and provide treatment for a variety of conditions, including prescribing medications.

Brooke brings compassion and empathy to her medical practice. She prides herself on being an excellent listener and striving to bring patients the best care possible. She complements Dr. Robbins in her approach.

She is a member of the American Headache Society and the Neuroscience Education Institute. Through the NEI, she holds a certificate as a master psychopharmacologist.

Brooke is co-author of the following papers:

* Anxiety in a Headache Patient. Practical Pain Management, May 2012.
* Migraine Treatment from A to Z. Practical Pain Management, April 2012.
* ADHD and Pain Patients. Practical Pain Management, November/December 2011.
* Teenage Boy with Multiple Pain Disorders: A Case of Mild Factitious Disorder by Proxy. Practical Pain Management, October 2011.
* Refractory Chronic Migraine: Long-term Follow-up using a Refractory Rating Scale. Presented at the American Academy of Pain Management meeting, Las Vegas, September 2011.