If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine headache, you know how debilitating this under-recognized neurological condition can be. Some migraines can be so painful it’s impossible to work or do daily activities. For many people, over the counter and traditional pain medication doesn’t work. Finding a solution to migraine headache pain is challenging; however, Botox for Migraines may offer relief that traditional medicine cannot.
In today’s blog post, we will discuss how Botox stops migraine headaches. The drug originally approved for smoothing facial frown lines, delivers significant relief for patients suffering from migraines.
What is Botox?
Botox is a neurotoxic protein produced by bacteria known as Botulinum toxin. Although it is a toxin and can cause destruction to nerve tissue, given in small injections, Botox can block muscle nerve activity. Because it causes reduced muscle activity, many people receive Botox injections for cosmetic purposes. Botox works by blocking chemical signals—specifically the ones that control muscle contraction. However, in the past decade, Botox has been used for medical purposes as well as cosmetic.
How does Botox feel?
While getting injections in your face might sound intimidating, Botox injections are very mild. Botox injections are given with a very small needle in a series of multiple injections. The injections feel like pin pricks or small stings. Rarely do patients report even moderate pain following Botox injections.
How Botox stops migraine headaches
When migraine headaches occur, the muscles in the head and neck contract. For the muscle to contract, the nerve must release acetylcholine, which is a type of chemical messenger. This chemical messenger attaches to the cells and makes the muscle contract. When the doctor injects Botox into the affected area, it blocks the acetylcholine release, thereby keeping the muscle from contracting.
What to expect from Botox injections?
There will generally be multiple injections given in the head and neck area. There are a total of 31 injection sites, and Dr. Segura will diagnose and determine the number of injections needed. The procedure is short, and generally lasts less than 30 minutes. Typically, patients will need more than one round of injections. In some cases, Dr. Segura suggests 2-4 rounds, although patients have responded after the first round of injections.
Patients who are successfully treated with Botox injections say that they have less frequent migraine headaches and that the severity and duration are also decreased.
Will Botox injections help you?
Curious about how botox stops migrain headaches? At Segura Neuroscience and Pain Center, we offer Botox injections to target and treat chronic migraine headaches. You no longer need to suffer with debilitating pain from migraines. Contact us today for a consultation and find relief from this simple, in-office procedure.
This website is not intended provide specific medical advice, medical diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this website and links to other websites, Segura Neuroscience & Pain Center provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use this information in place of the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Segura Neuroscience & Pain Center is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this website.