Botox is an injectable drug that gained popularity as a wrinkle reducer in the late 1990s; however, researchers also discovered that it can be used as a potential treatment for migraines. Since then, the FDA has approved Botox as a chronic migraine drug and many patients have reported success. Doctors also recommend botox for overactive bladder, eye twitching, and repetitive neck spasms. Here are some factors to consider when seeking Botox to treat your migraine pain:
1. How is Botox administered?
When consumed, Botox produces a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. This is why it can only be administered through injection. For the treatment of chronic migraines, Botox is injected into the body around the head and neck area. The drug may take up to 14 days after injections to reach full effectiveness and bring relief to the body. In some cases, you may need to go for additional treatments, as it can take up to six months to feel the maximum benefits.
2. Botox reduces the severity and frequency of headaches
Botox treats migraines by inhibiting the expression of pain pathways in the nerve cells. When you inject the drug, it blocks specific chemical signals from the nerves responsible for carrying pain, temporarily paralyzing the muscles. As such, Botox treatments have been shown to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines by 50%. The injection should also reduce migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.
3. How should you find a headache specialist or neurologist?
If you want to start Botox treatment for migraines, you should first find a migraine specialist using your insurance doctor listing. The American Migraine Foundation also has a doctor database you can use to find a reliable headache neurologist. You should also ask prospective doctors questions about their qualifications and experiences administering the Botox injection. Know where they learned to give the injection and how long they have practiced giving it. You can verify a headache specialist’s experience by asking how many injections they will provide and where they will administer the Botox injection—in most cases, doctors administer Botox treatments for migraines once every three months.
4. Selecting a course of Botox treatment for migraines
You need to discuss Botox treatment with a trained pain management specialist before starting the treatment. The specialist will track migraine symptoms and recommend a length of time for your treatment plan, depending on how you respond to the Botox. The actual Botox injection appointment should take about 20 minutes. Your doctor will use a small needle to inject small amounts of Botox into the skin’s superficial muscles. Each treatment appointment should involve the doctor injecting Botox around 31 times in seven head and skin areas.
5. Who can get Botox for migraines?
Botox is FDA-approved for use in adults above 18 years for chronic migraines. The drug is considered an off-label treatment of chronic migraine if used on children or adolescents. Thus, while most insurance plans cover Botox injections for migraines, insurance companies will not pay when the treatment is being used on children.
6. Tips for migraine pain prevention
You can also avoid a migraine before it happens by following several prevention measures, such as identifying and avoiding specific triggers, like loud noises and bright lights, and paying attention to certain foods that can initiate headaches, such as chocolate. The pain plan for migraine prevention can also involve eating and sleeping on a regular schedule, avoiding stress, and performing relaxing exercises.
