How does Botox help with migraine headaches?

If you’re a chronic migraine sufferer, you can try Botox to reduce the number of headache days each month. However, it’s important to choose a licensed health care professional to administer the injections. Look for a physician, neurologist or nurse practitioner with experience using this treatment.

The botulinum toxin in Botox is a purified protein from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This neuromodulator has a calming effect on the sensory nerves in the face and neck.

What Is a Migraine & How Does It Impact Daily Life

Migraines are a type of headache that affects the brain and nervous system. It’s a complex condition that affects different people in various ways. Symptoms are often triggered by specific foods, activities and other factors. It is a chronic condition, meaning it can last for days or even weeks.

The headache is the most common symptom, but it’s not the only one. Other symptoms include yawning, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble finding words or speaking, neck stiffness, light and sound sensitivity, tingling in one side of the body, fatigue, mood changes and more.

Many migraine sufferers experience a warning symptom called an aura before or during the headache. Auras are reversible, and they can consist of visual phenomena such as flashes of light or blind spots, a variety of colors or shapes, numbness or pins-and-needles sensations in the arms or legs, and other disturbances.

Migraines can cause serious work and life disruptions. In fact, a study found that more than half of respondents required help with household chores at least some of the time when they were not experiencing a migraine attack. It also found that migraines impacted how they coped with family and friends at least some of the time, and that they interfered with leisure activities at least some of the time for more than a quarter of respondents.

How Does Botox Work for Migraines?

While many people know about Botox as a wrinkle-fighting injectable, it is also a great treatment for chronic migraine headaches. It works by blocking the release of chemicals that transmit pain signals to the brain.

When the injectable is injected into muscle areas around the head and neck, it takes up residence in nerves where it interferes with pain-transmitting neurotransmitters. After several rounds of treatments, many migraine patients find their number of days with a headache each month cut in half.

It doesn’t work for all headaches, and it does require a consistent treatment schedule. It is typically prescribed only after other preventive options have been tried, including prescription oral migraine medications. It also requires an experienced physician, neurologist or nurse practitioner to ensure that the injections are properly administered. This is important, as the drug can be dangerous if injected improperly. Some side effects may include temporary neck pain and weakness and drooping of the eyebrows or eyelids (ptosis). These side effects usually resolve within a few days. Other possible side effects are mild redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site.

What to Expect During a Botox Migraine Treatment

During a Botox migraine treatment, a licensed medical professional will inject botulinum toxin (brand name: onabotulinumtoxinA) into multiple sites in the head and neck. These injections will block molecules that transfer sensory signals from the brain and prevent them from reaching nerve terminals in your head and neck, where they cause pain.

This procedure takes only 10-15 minutes. It may feel uncomfortable for a few seconds but this quickly subsides. Before the injections, your doctor or provider will review your headache diary and discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

It takes a few treatments for Botox to become effective and reduce your number of migraine days. Many patients notice a 30-50% reduction in the frequency and severity of their headaches and find that it significantly improves their quality of life. This is why many people choose to continue Botox maintenance treatments even after their migraines have stopped. However, it is important to note that this is not a cure and your headaches can return at any time. This is also why it’s important to keep a headache diary and track your results so that you can know when to schedule your next appointment.

How Effective Is Botox for Migraines?

Botox may be best known for smoothing forehead wrinkles and enabling the perfect celebrity smile, but it has also helped countless people manage their chronic medical conditions. The injections contain a small amount of the neurotoxin Clostridium botulinum (the same toxin that can cause botulism when eaten in spoiled food) which blocks signals from your nerves and paralyzes muscles.

Research has found that botox works by blocking a chemical neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, that triggers pain pathways. In clinical trials, it’s been shown to prevent 8 days of migraine headache per month in those who suffer from Chronic Migraine. It has been found to be less effective in preventing the more mild form of headache called episodic migraine.

If you are considering botox for your migraines, it’s important to find a doctor or nurse who has plenty of experience with the treatment and is licensed in your state. It’s also a good idea to ask your provider where they received their training and how many treatments they have performed. Typically, it takes 2 or 3 treatments to see the benefit of botox for managing your migraines.

Who Is Good Candidate for Botox Migraine Treatment

When most people hear the word “Botox,” they think of it as a cosmetic procedure responsible for keeping Hollywood stars looking young. However, the botulinum toxin used in Botox also has medical applications and can treat a variety of conditions including fine lines and wrinkles, overactive bladder, excessive sweating, and migraine headaches.

Botox is FDA-approved to prevent chronic migraine headaches in patients over the age of 18. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching your brain via nerve endings in your head and neck.

To qualify for this treatment, you must have migraines that occur 15 days or more per month and are not helped by abortive medications or lifestyle changes. Most insurance companies require you to have tried and failed two other preventative treatments before approving you for Botox.

During the treatment, your healthcare professional will inject 155 units of botulinum toxin into 31 sites in seven key muscle areas in your head and neck. These injections are made into shallow muscles, and they typically work by suppressing muscle nerve activity for up to three months.

Benefits of Botox for Migraines

A neurologist or nurse who has been trained in the use of Botox for migraines will inject it into the muscles around your head and neck. This preventative treatment typically reduces the number of headache days you experience in a month by 30-50%. Some people see even more significant reductions in the frequency and severity of their headaches.

Scientists don’t know exactly why it works but think that Botox blocks chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain to your nerves. Botox also relaxes muscles, reducing wrinkles and improving the appearance of your face. The botulinum toxin found in Botox is the same one that causes a deadly disease if ingested from Clostridium botulinum bacteria in spoiled food, but it’s much more diluted than what you’d get in spoiled food and isn’t digested.

When injected correctly, Botox doesn’t cause drooping of your eyelids or eyebrows (known as ptosis) and is safe for most adults. However, it’s important to only receive this treatment from a doctor, neurologist or nurse who is licensed and trained in its use for chronic migraines.

Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?

In one study, migraine headache patients who got Botox reported less frequent headaches. In fact, they also had more “crystal-clear” days each month than those who didn’t get the injections.

The drug used in Botox is a purified version of a protein, onabotulinum toxin A, that naturally occurs in the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox is well-known for smoothing out wrinkles, but it’s also been used off-label for several years to treat other conditions including strabismus (cross-eye), spasticity, excessive sweating and hyperactive bladder, and abnormal muscle contractions called dystonia.

It’s important to remember that Botox is not a cure for chronic migraines, but it can help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life so you can keep doing the things you love. It’s a preventative treatment that should be taken in conjunction with other migraine medications like ibuprofen or naproxen.

In addition, it’s also important to note that migraines are a fluctuating disease, so just because you don’t see results right away doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working. Keeping a headache diary and following the doctor’s instructions will help you get the best results.

Book Botox for Migraines at House of Aesthetics

Migraine sufferers who experience 15 or more headache days per month and have tried other preventive medications should consider a migraine Botox injection treatment. It is FDA-approved for chronic migraine, and it has undergone rigorous clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness.

The migraine Botox treatment is injected into several areas around the head and neck, and it works to dull pain by blocking chemicals that transmit signals from your brain to nerve endings. This helps to reduce how many migraine headaches you have each month and the severity of those migraines.

The injectable drug is a purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It has been safely used in cosmetic treatments for a decade. The migraine Botox procedure is similar to the cosmetic procedure, but the injection sites are different. The headache treatment is injected in more precise locations and uses a lower dose than the cosmetic version. This helps to ensure that it does not affect your vision or cause any drooping in the brows and eyelids. You can continue your normal activities after your migraine treatment.

FAQs

Is Botox for migraines safe?

Yes, when administered by trained professionals, Botox for migraines is a safe and FDA-approved treatment. We prioritize client safety and adhere to strict medical standards.

How long does a treatment session take?

Typically, a session lasts around 15-30 minutes. It’s a quick and convenient procedure that can be done during a lunch break or a short break in your day.

When can I expect to see results?

While individual responses vary, many clients report experiencing relief within a week after the treatment. Full benefits may be realized after a couple of weeks.

How long do the effects last?

Results typically last for about 3 months. Regularly scheduled treatments can help maintain and prolong the beneficial effects over time.

Are there any side effects associated?

Common side effects are minimal and temporary, such as mild bruising or headache. Our team ensures a thorough consultation to address any concerns before treatment.

Can I combine Botox for migraines with other aesthetic treatments?

Absolutely. Botox for migraines can seamlessly integrate with other aesthetic treatments, allowing you to address multiple concerns in one visit for comprehensive wellness.

How do I schedule a consultation?

Scheduling a consultation is easy! Book online,  Contact us through our website or call 714 596 1053 to book an appointment. Our team is ready to assist you.

Is Botox for migraines covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage varies. We recommend checking with your provider to determine coverage. Our team can provide necessary documentation for insurance claims.

Can anyone receive Botox for migraines, or are there restrictions?

While most adults are eligible, individual health conditions may affect candidacy. Our expert team conducts a thorough assessment to ensure suitability for treatment.

At House of Aesthetics Med Spa in Huntington Beach, our Botox for Migraines treatment is more than a service; it’s a pathway to liberation from the grip of chronic migraines. With skilled practitioners, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to your well-being, we offer not just relief, but a renewed quality of life.

Your journey to freedom from migraines begins here, where expertise meets compassion. Trust us to bring comfort, rejuvenation, and lasting relief. Experience the transformative power of our Botox treatment at House of Aesthetics – because your well-being is our paramount concern.