Relieving Migraine Headaches with Botox Injections: How Does It Work?

Botox was approved by FDA for treatment of migraines a few years ago, following success with two case study groups. At present, Botox is still the only prophylactic therapy approved as a treatment for chronic migraines.

Research and Findings of Botox Application For Migraines

Some doctors and medical professionals are still unsure exactly how Botox used for migraines works – originally many believed it relieved the tight muscles around the scalp. However, findings from studies showed that the muscles in the head, forehead and neck are actually contracted when the participants were experiencing a migraine attack.

It is also common for sufferers to rub their forehead, temples and neck during an attack which often provides some temporary relief. Many patients reported that they felt an improvement in their migraines in the areas Botox had been injected, but yet still felt pain and discomfort in the top of the head.

There aren’t any muscles in the top of the head, which goes against the initial school of thought regarding the action of Botox. While injections are not usually administered to the top of the head for this reason, for sufferers who experience residual pain in this area, the studies found that their pain dispersed when Botox was injected.

More recent research also proves that Botox is in an analgesic that offers direct pain relief. This at least explains what relieves the symptoms of chronic migraines. There have been many other reports from general practitioners who have suggested that Botox is successful in treating other chronic pain conditions like shingles and trigeminal neuralgia too.

How Botox Relieves Migraines

Botox helps relieve migraines by reducing the level of pain signals sent to the brain. Chronic migraines are more than just headaches caused by tension, they are in fact a brain disorder, so with the pain messages being blocked, the brain does not become stressed and so migraine episodes are decreased. Many patients report that following Botox injections, even when they feel the start of a migraine attack coming on, this treatment stops them from occurring.

If you or someone you know experiences chronic migraines, it’s worth considering Botox as a possible treatment method. It’s worth noting that Botox can take some time to become effective at blocking the pain messages that cause migraines long-term. Those who see the best results have to get injections for 6-9 months before they can conclusively see a significant reduction in the number of migraines they have – that’s at least 2-3 sessions. Following a patient’s first Botox application, many applicants noted around two fewer headaches a month. This might not seem a big difference but for those living in chronic pain debilitated by the onset of migraines, any relief is often considered a bonus. It is thought that it can take 10-14 days for Botox to become active and begin to intercept pain signals.

When nothing else has worked to ease and inhibit the symptoms of chronic migraines, Botox offers a quick and easy alternative to traditional medicines, with a session only taking around 15 minutes to complete. At Brooks Plastic Surgery, our primary concern is your health and comfort, if you think you might be interested in trying Botox for your migraines, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!