Botox for Migraines: How it Works and What to Expect

Although most people associate Botox with cosmetic facial treatments that counteract the effects of the aging process, it also has a number of other uses. One of these is as an effective treatment for chronic migraines.

Unfortunately, chronic migraines can have a very severe effect on the quality of life of those who suffer from them. This can result in the inability to perform simple tasks such as moving around, reading, or watching tv. Countless sick days are taken each year due to the debilitating effects of living with migraines.

Botox has been licensed for the treatment of chronic migraines, which is defined as 3 months of at least 15 days of headache per month. Of these 15 days, at least 8 should also be marked by other effects of a migraine including nausea, light or noise sensitivity, and more.

Here’s what you need to know about how Botox for migraines works and what you can expect from the treatment.

How Does Botox For Migraines Work?

Botox works by preventing muscle contractions and by stopping neurotransmitters from sending pain signals to your brain. It does this by getting into the small nerves that carry pain from the head to the brain, and which are known as C-fibers. This reduces the number of chemicals released from the nerve endings and interrupts the feedback pathway that triggers both headaches and migraines. However, the treatment isn’t instant. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to see an improvement in your symptoms.

What To Expect From Botox For Migraine Treatment?

If you are recommended to have Botox to help treat your migraines, you may be surprised to know that the Botox itself is administered in a very similar way as it is for cosmetic enhancement treatments. The needle is inserted directly under the skin, but rather than just into the forehead, it is also injected into the muscles above the ears and into the neck and shoulders. Although the needle used to administer the treatment is very fine and shouldn’t cause more than a momentary prick of discomfort with each injection, you may be able to have a topical anesthetic if required. 

The effects of Botox for migraines typically last between 12 and 16 weeks before further treatment is required. To help maintain the effects and prevent the return of your chronic migraines, we recommend that injections are repeated approximately every 12 weeks.

Will Botox Work For My Migraines?

Although Botox is highly effective for the majority of patients, there is sadly no guarantee that it will work for every patient. If the treatment doesn’t prove effective after two rounds, it is unlikely that you will ever see benefit from the treatment. However, for the many patients that it is successful for, they can expect to see a huge improvement in their migraines. Although they may not become completely free of headaches or migraines, the treatment should significantly improve your quality of life.

If you would like to find out more about Botox for migraines, or to schedule an appointment to see if you are a good candidate for this treatment, please contact our friendly team at Alicja Steiner, MD APC in San Diego, California by calling (619) 304-1539.