Botox Treatment for Migraine Headaches

Botox Treatment for Migraine: Migraines can be painful and debilitating. Migraine can be very uncomfortable and negatively affect your quality of life.

You can feel very uncomfortable and restless when you suffer from a migraine. Migraine pain can be very severe, and it’s often accompanied by excessive sensitivity to light, loud sounds, or smells. It could also cause nausea or vomiting. Migraine can significantly impact your general well-being and quality of life. You may not be able to do what you usually do when you have a migraine.

Many people have experienced migraines at a point in their lives. About 14% of the total population of people in the world have had migraine.

While there are other medications for migraines, Botox is an effective treatment. Botox for migraines is an injectable drug made from a purified protein called Clostridium botulinum.

Though Botox is well-known for eliminating wrinkles and lines from the face, researchers recognized its potential for treating migraines and other medical conditions such as neck spasms, eye twitching, and overactive bladder.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox to treat chronic pain migraines. If other treatments don’t work or improve your migraine, Botox is an alternative treatment that may improve your migraine.

How does Botox work for migraines?

Botox is made from small doses of botulinum toxin. When Botox is injected in areas involved in headaches and migraines, it affects the nerve endings & blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission. This helps to relieve headaches and migraine pain.

Botox doesn’t work when it’s injected. After receiving Botox injections, it could take up to 14 days or longer for you to experience relief from migraines. If you don’t experience significant relief after receiving your first set of Botox injections, you may need additional injections to share the best results.

What to expect from getting Botox injections 

Botox injection is almost painless. It is just like regular injections. You may feel a tiny sting or slight burning sensation when the injection is being administered. This sensation goes away in a few seconds.

A session of Botox treatment involves multiple Botox injections. A session may last for 10 to 15 minutes. During a session of Botox treatment for migraine, your doctor or provider will inject multiple doses of Botox into specific points along with your head and shoulders.

After the treatment, you can go back home. You can continue with your normal daily activities without any issues.

Is Botox for migraines effective?

Botox has been proven effective for the treatment of migraine and headaches. A 2018 study showed that Botox was effective and safe for treating chronic migraine.

A 2019 study also showed that Botox is effective for treating and preventing chronic pain migraine.

How often should you get Botox for migraine?

Botox treatments for migraine are typically administered once every three months or 12 weeks. A session of Botox treatment involves multiple Botox injections.

After a treatment session, some people may experience significant improvements. They may be able to discontinue treatment.

Botox injection sessions are typically once every 12 weeks. However, it may vary depending on your response to the treatment. Your doctor may recommend a length of time for your treatment sessions depending on your response to the Botox treatment.

The national standard for Botox treatment for headaches and migraines recommended by the American Headache Society is once every three months or 12 weeks. Botox treatments are not given more frequently due to a slight possibility that your body might build up antibodies to botulinum toxin if given too frequently. Those antibodies could prevent Botox from working when future injections are given.

How long do Botox injections last for migraines?

The effect of Botox for migraines usually lasts for about 12 weeks. Botox injections are typically repeated once every 12 weeks.

What are the Botox injection sites for migraine?

Botox is typically injected into muscles of the;

• Forehead
• Scalp
• Neck
• Shoulders
• The upper bridge above the nose
• Temples
• Back of the head
• Upper back

Can Botox effectively treat migraines alone?

Yes. Botox can effectively treat migraines alone for many people. However, some people require other medications besides Botox to effectively treat their migraines and prevent future occurrences. Medicines that may be taken in addition to Botox include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, certain antidepressants, and some anti-seizure medications.

Side effects of Botox for migraine pain

Complications and side effects of Botox injections for migraines are rare. The most common side effects are neck pain, stiffness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.

In rare cases, the Botox toxin may spread into nearby tissues. This can cause problems such as drooping eyelids, dry eyes, or excessive eye tearing. However, this tends to happen more in people who have hanging eye issues or are increasingly sensitive to botulinum toxin.

The Botox toxin may spread to other parts of the body. This can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, vision problems, trouble speaking or swallowing, or difficulty breathing.

To reduce the risks of complications, doctors generally advise pregnant or breastfeeding people to avoid using Botox. This is because Botox’s effects on a fetus are not known.

Also, ensure that Botox is prescribed and administered by a trained doctor or healthcare professional. It is best to look for a board-certified physician or a neurologist who is experienced in providing Botox for chronic migraine.

FAQs

Is Botox for migraines permanent?

Botox for migraines is not a permanent treatment. The effect of Botox for migraines usually lasts for about 12 weeks. You will need to undergo repeat treatment once every three months or 12 weeks to experience long-lasting relief.

Does Botox for migraines reduce wrinkles?

Using Botox to prevent migraines isn’t likely to help with wrinkles. Botox for migraines doesn’t reduce wrinkles. The specific dosage of Botox used for migraines is different from the one used for wrinkles. While Botox for wrinkles contains the same active drug as Botox for migraines, Botox for wrinkles is given in lower doses.

Who is a good candidate for Botox migraine?

Ideal candidates for Botox treatment for migraines are people with chronic migraines. People experiencing at least 15 days of headaches and migraines per month are good candidates for Botox treatment for migraines. People who have tried all other treatment options for migraines without success may also be good candidates for Botox treatment.

It is recommended to first consult with your doctor to know if Botox treatment is proper for you.

Does Botox for migraines cause hair loss?

There hasn’t been any record that Botox for migraines causes hair loss.

Can Botox for migraines cause fatigue?

Botox for migraines can cause fatigue or tiredness in some people.

Can I wash my hair after Botox for migraines?

After Botox has been injected into your forehead or other areas of your face, it is advisable to avoid washing your hair for at least 24 hours. This is because washing your hair can spread the Botox to other areas, which could cause side effects or complications.

Does Botox for migraine cause weight gain?

No. Botox doesn’t cause weight gain for anyone. Having Botox treatment for migraine is entirely safe and doesn’t cause you to gain weight.

Can Botox make migraines worse?

Botox is an effective treatment for migraines. Most people experience significant pain relief after having Botox injections for their migraines. However, some people may experience increased headache severity after having a Botox injection.

What next if Botox doesn’t work for migraines?

Botox is an effective and safe treatment for migraines. However, it may not work for some people. If it makes your migraine worse, you can try other alternative treatments. Consult with your doctor to recommend other alternatives for you.

Southlake Pain Center: Best Clinic for Botox Treatment for Migraines in Southlake, TX

If you are experiencing chronic migraines & have tried other treatment options without good results, we recommend that you consider having Botox treatment for migraines.

At Southlake Pain Center, we provide the best Botox treatment for migraines. We are a highly reputable hospital with experienced experts in pain management.

We provide a variety of treatments for pain, including Botox injections for migraines. We can help make that migraine pain go away by administering Botox injections.

Chronic migraine can negatively impact your life. If you’re experiencing migraine pain, we advise you to seek treatment by booking an appointment with us today.