More than 38 million Americans experience migraines — pulsing, throbbing headaches that cause moderate to severe pain. About 3%-5% percent of those who get migraines experience them 15 times or more a month, which is diagnosed as chronic migraines. More and more people who experience migraines develop chronic migraines each year.
Migraines can be severe and debilitating and last days. Because these headaches can be so traumatic and challenging, those who experience them are in desperate need of effective treatment and relief. Board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Jonathan Koning of ReGen Pain Management in Plano, Texas, can help.
Among the treatments he offers is Botox®. Most commonly known as a beauty treatment, Dr. Koning has seen first-hand the dramatic improvement Botox, most widely known for wrinkle reduction, offers migraine sufferers.
Botox is made of a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Over the years, many uses of Botox have been discovered. Most commonly, it’s used to eliminate facial wrinkles. It’s also used to help treat overactive bladder, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, and some eye muscle conditions.
It works by blocking nerve signals and temporarily paralyzing muscles. Botox to treat wrinkles is injected into the forehead and around the eyes to smooth creases in your forehead and crow’s feet around your eyes. Some Botox Cosmetic patients started to report that their migraines decreased after treatment.
Those reports of migraine sufferers who felt better after their beauty Botox led to clinical studies. Researchers found that regular Botox injections every three months reduced episodes of chronic migraines. It did not, however, prove effective for other types of headaches.
In 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Botox to treat chronic migraines. Botox is considered a preventive treatment. It should be used as part of an overall migraine management plan that includes avoiding migraine triggers and taking pain relief medication for migraine episodes.
A Botox treatment for migraines involves several injections around your head and neck. Often, it takes several treatments for Botox to begin working, although some people start to see results in two to three weeks. Each treatment lasts around 12 weeks and should be repeated every three months for maximum and continued effectiveness.
Side effects may include soreness at the injection site, a sore neck, and headache. Studies show that some people who receive Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines report an improved quality of life with fewer migraine episodes and only mild side effects.
For more information on finding relief from chronic migraines with FDA-approved Botox, book a consultation at ReGen Pain Management today. Call the office at (469) 252-4777 or request an appointment online.
*Individual results may vary
