How Botox® Relieves Migraine Pain and Why It May Be the Solution for You

You may know Botox® as a cosmetic injectable to minimize facial wrinkles, but did you know it’s FDA-approved to treat migraines? With the power to stop headache pain before it starts, Botox might be the answer you’re looking for to beat chronic migraines.

Migraines are severe headaches characterized by pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and even nausea. Because of symptoms that appear before the headache (called prodrome), the migraine itself, and fatigue after the headache ends, migraines take time away from your life. 

If you suffer from headaches more days than not, it’s time to find relief. Dr. Mikael Sarij at  Integrated Spine And Pain Care in New York is here to help you learn more about Botox as a treatment option for chronic migraines.

Botox blocks migraine pain

Botox is an injectable treatment that contains onabotulinumtoxinA. For cosmetic treatments, it minimizes fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles. Botox works in much the same way for migraine pain by reducing muscle contractions and blocking pain signals.

The team at Integrated Spine And Pain Care uses Botox injections in specific pain fibers around your head and neck. The number of injections needed varies, depending on the type and severity of your migraines. Treatment only takes about 15 minutes, and there’s no downtime after you leave our office. 

Botox enters the nerve endings around the area where we inject it. After injection, it blocks the chemicals that send pain signals to your brain. That means treatment stops migraine pain before it ever starts, and you won’t be sidelined by frequent headache days. 

Patients typically begin noticing results over the first few days after their first treatment, with the benefits of each treatment lasting up to three months. You can expect maximum relief from headaches after you’ve had two or three treatments with Botox. In one study, patients reported a 50% reduction in headache days after two Botox treatments.

Botox could relieve your headaches

Botox is FDA-approved to treat migraines in adults who experience at least 15 headaches a month. The more migraine or tension headaches you experience, the more likely Botox is a good treatment option for you.

At Integrated Spine And Pain Care, Botox treatment for chronic migraine is customizable. We work with every patient, reviewing their history of headaches and the symptoms they experience. If you get consistent headaches in one area of your head, we may recommend more injections in that area to block pain more effectively.

Botox isn’t a permanent treatment, so you need regular injections to continue preventing migraines. Following our care plan and getting regular treatment can dramatically decrease the number of migraines you suffer.

Because Botox is approved for chronic migraine, your insurance may cover a portion of the cost of treatment. Talk with your insurance provider or let our team help you find the best treatment option to relieve your migraine symptoms.

At Integrated Spine And Pain Care, you’ll find comprehensive, expert care to keep you feeling your best. To find out if Botox could be right for your migraine pain, call one of our offices in Farmingdale or Deer Park, New York, to schedule an appointment today.