Migraine headaches are among the most common medical complaints in the United States. In fact, every 10 seconds — about the time it takes to read this paragraph — someone heads to the emergency room, seeking help for painful migraine symptoms.
While some people have migraines once or twice a month (or less), chronic sufferers have them far more frequently — 15 days per month or more.
As a leading interventional pain management practice in Eugene, Oregon, Pacific Sports and Spine uses Botox® to help women and men relieve the painful symptoms of chronic migraines and even reduce the frequency of future migraine attacks.
Here’s how they can help you find relief for your migraine pain.
Botox is a neuromuscular agent, which means it works on the signaling connections between nerves and muscles.
In wrinkle treatment, Botox injections work by blocking nerve signaling pathways that cause facial contractions. When those muscles don’t receive the signal to contract, wrinkles don’t form and your face looks smoother as a result.
In migraine treatment, Botox works in a similar way. But instead of blocking the signals that cause facial muscle contractions, Botox injections for chronic migraines block nerve signals responsible for headache pain.
Botox received FDA approval for chronic migraine treatment in 2010. Studies show Botox helps reduce the severity of migraine symptoms and reduces the frequency of headaches. Patients treated with Botox found they had more pain-free days, and after just two treatments, many patients found the number of days with headaches was cut in half.
Because migraine pain involves multiple nerves around your head and neck, treatment involves several injections — typically about 30. It sounds painful, but Botox injections use a very fine needle, so any discomfort you feel is minimal.
Before treatment, we determine the best placement for your injections. If painful symptoms occur most often in one area, let us know that, so we can concentrate your treatment in that spot. Most appointments take about 20 minutes.
Afterward, your neck might be a bit sore in the injection areas. A cool compress or ice pack and over-the-counter pain medicine can provide relief.
It can take several weeks before treatment becomes effective. Afterward, you can have touch-up treatments every few months to maintain the beneficial effects.
One more benefit: Because it’s so effective in treating chronic migraines, Botox treatments can help you cut back on the pain medicines you take to control your symptoms. That means you don’t have to worry about side effects, including gastrointestinal problems that can occur with many pain medicines.
Chronic migraines take a major toll on your daily routine and your overall quality of life. Botox provides relief for migraine sufferers, and treatments can be repeated to keep symptoms at bay.
If you have chronic migraines — painful headaches at least 15 days each month — Botox treatment could be a good choice for you. To learn more, call our office or request your appointment here on our website.
