Botox treatment for Chronic Migraine 

Migraine can be caused by a muscle spasm of the facial muscles. It may be called facial pain rather than a migraine in the real sense. Treatment of the affected muscles with Botox causing muscle relaxation can often bring a resolution and improvement of symptoms.

What You Need to Know About Migraine and Botox

Botox has also brought relief to many people who suffer from chronic medical conditions. In 2010, Botox was approved for use with chronic migraine, and many patients are reporting success.

What Type of Headache Responds Best to Botox?

Botox is only FDA-approved for chronic migraines,  on 15 or more days a month.  The more frequent the headaches, the better the patient does with Botox.

How Does Botox Work?

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. The second and third treatments to maximize effects, increasing benefit with an increase in the number of treatment cycles.” One treatment lasts for 10-12 weeks, and two Botox treatments reduced the number of headache days by approximately 50%.

Is Botox Approved ?

The FDA approves the use of Botox to treat chronic migraine in adults who are age 18 or over.

What is Treatment Like?

When you receive your first Botox treatment, expect the appointment to take about 20 minutes. The doctor uses a very small needle that feels like a pinprick. He or she injects small amounts of Botox into shallow muscles in the skin. The most common side effect from the Botox shots is a sore neck, and it is recommended using an ice pack to reduce the discomfort.

It can take up to six months to see the maximum benefit from Botox. In the meantime, patients can continue to use their regular medications with no risk of a drug interaction.