Botulinum toxin, more commonly known as Botox, is derived from the bacterium Clostridium. After purification, Botox works as a neurotoxin that can effectively relax contracted muscles and block nerve signals when injected into the neck and forehead. This makes it an ideal treatment for reducing migraines and alleviating migraine-related symptoms. However, Botox is generally used as supplemental treatment that is used alongside acute medications and trigger management.
Did You Know?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox for the treatment of chronic migraines in 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for Botox migraine treatment?
Per FDA regulations, you may be a candidate for Botox migraine treatment if you have 15 or more headaches per month that last longer than four hours. Additionally, you will need to be at least 18 years of age to receive Botox migraine treatment. To determine if you are an ideal candidate for Botox migraine treatment, schedule a consultation with Ascension Pain Specialists today.
What can I expect when receiving Botox migraine treatment at Ascension Pain Specialists?
When receiving Botox migraine treatment, the first step is to clean and anesthetize the areas being injected. In most cases, you can expect to receive a series of injections in the neck muscles and on the forehead. The exact number of injections will depend on your treatment plan. The entire treatment takes around 15-20 minutes and you will be able to return to your usual routine after leaving our office.
How long will it take to feel relief and how long do results last?
Botox works gradually, meaning that you will not experience immediate migraine relief. In most cases, you can expect to notice improvement in your migraines about 4-7 days after receiving your Botox injections. The results from each treatment last around 3-4 months and multiple treatments are recommended for long-term improvement. This is because it can take around 6 months to experience the maximum results from treating your migraines with Botox.
Can I ignore migraine triggers after having Botox injections?
Although Botox injections can make you less reactive to certain migraine triggers, it does not override migraine triggers. This means that you will still need to be aware of and manage your individual triggers. However, Botox can decrease the severity of migraines caused by certain triggers.