How Botox Can Be Used To Relieve Migraines
When you think of Botox, generally, you think of aesthetic applications – eliminating wrinkles, reducing overactive facial expressions, and more. While we do offer such wellness-enhancing traditional Botox treatments at our new Warner Orthopedics & Wellness clinic, we are also firm believers in innovative solutions to common medical complaints.
Migraine headaches are very common; up to 14% of the population suffers from these terrible headaches. When a patient presents with migraine headaches, sometimes this can be addressed with certain physical therapy exercises, lifestyle changes, and more.
Sadly, drugs that may be addictive are too often prescribed for this common condition. However, such headaches can also be effectively treated with Botox injections as well. This treatment for migraines harnesses the power of a natural substance to reduce the stress and strain caused by overactive scalp muscles. This in turn lessens the pain of a migraine headache.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a patented form of botulinum toxin, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria that causes botulism. When this toxin is purified and injected, it temporarily relieves muscle contractions for about 3-4 months in the area of injection. Botox is the specific formulation of onabotulinumtoxin-A.
Migraine headaches occur when nerve fibers send pain signals to the brain. It is thought that migraine start with problems in the meninges; these signals are sent to the somatic nerves of the extracranial region (external to the skull). This is termed ‘viscerosomatic convergence’.
Botox can stop this transference of pain signals. To combat this with a Botox injection, it’s administered near the nerve endings where these pain signals are being triggered. This will temporarily block pain signals from traveling to the brain, preventing the sensation of migraine pain. Much pain is sourced in hyperactive muscles. Botox can calm this as well.
Generally, it will take 2 or 3 treatments to really become effective, so it’s important to note that this isn’t a quick fix for migraine headaches.
How The Treatment Occurs
These Botox appointments generally take about 20 minutes. You shouldn’t feel too much pain during the treatment, as the needle is very small and the injections are placed in shallow areas instead of deep into the muscle tissue.
The injections will be administered into several key areas in the head and neck to calm the nerve endings associated with migraine headaches. While the treatment itself isn’t particularly painful, you may feel sore afterwards – you should have an ice pack or heating pad available to soothe sore muscles after your treatment.
Anytime the contraction pattern of muscle changes you are bound to notice, these feelings should gradually go away.
Natural Solutions – At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness
At our clinic, we are passionate about finding natural and holistic – yet effective – solutions to our patients’ pain and problems whenever possible.
Each treatment we offer, from physical therapy to orthopedic surgery, is designed to help improve your overall health and well-being by reducing pain, improving mobility + function, and helping you curate a healthier lifestyle.
