Treating Migraines with Botox

A migraine is an inherited neurological disorder that is described as the over excitability of specific areas of the brain. Untreated migraine attacks can last several hours, or a few days. Although, medically speaking, we do not understand how a brain with migraine is dissimilar to a normal brain, we do know that people who suffer with migraines are more likely to hold the transient factors that may raise the chances of having a migraine attack. These triggers may include environmental stimuli like weather or bright lights, hormonal fluctuations, specific smells, select foods, alcohol, low quality sleep and abnormal stress factors.

How Does Botox Work for Migraines?

Botox is injected around pain fibers that are involved in headaches. Botox enters the nerve endings around where it is injected and blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission. This prevents activation of pain networks in the brain.

Botox prevents migraine headaches before they start, but takes time to work. One treatment may last for up to 12 weeks, and patients reported that two Botox treatments reduced the number of headache days by approximately 50%.

What is a Botox Treatment Like?

With your first Botox treatment, expect the appointment to take about 40 minutes. Your medical professional will use a small needle. Many who have received the treatment compare it to a pin prick. The doctor will inject low doses of Botox into surface muscles in the skin. Each treatment involves approximately three dozen injections in seven key areas of the head and neck. The most common side effect from the Botox treatments is a sore neck. Aftercare includes using a cold compress to reduce the discomfort. Full results can take up to six months to see the highest benefit. In the meantime, the patient can continue their regular medications on most occasions.

Botox is only FDA-approved for chronic migraines. If you think this could be a treatment for you, contact us at NorthernArizonaPainInstitutes.com today! QCBN

By Dorian Lange

Dorian Lange is the CEO of Northern Arizona Pain Institutes. Lange is responsible for the management, administration and business development for multi-disciplinary specialty clinics throughout Central Arizona that provide integrative treatment protocols for pain management, physical and rehabilitative medicine. Learn more at northernarizonapaininstitutes.com/health-care-team/.