For many years Botox has been used to smooth wrinkles because it relaxes muscles in the face, but recent studies have shown that adults who had injections of Botox for headaches had more pain-free days and less time off work. If you’ve been diagnosed with a migraine or tension headaches this could be a treatment that really helps. Botox for migraines – does it work? Read on...



How It Works

Doctors believe that Botox injections for migraines block chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain – preventing them getting to nerve endings around the neck and head. Unlike many other conditions for which it’s used, it’s not thought to work by relaxing overactive muscles –it has been shown to also reduce pain in a number of other medical conditions such as lower back and bladder issues.



Botox prevents migraine headaches before they start as it enters the nerve endings around the injection site and blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission – stopping activation of pain networks in the brain. It takes time to work – after two treatments patients reported that the number of headache days was reduced by half. An increasing benefit is shown with the additional number of treatment cycles.



Suitability

Only patients with a chronic migraine are suitable for treatment with Botox. A chronic migraine is defined as headaches occurring on 15 days or more each month where at least half display migrainous features. The use of Botox is at the moment restricted to a few specialist headache centres, from trained injectors with expertise in the diagnosis and management of a chronic migraine alongside the delivery of the treatment.



Headache specialists and neurologists will help with Botox for a migraine where doctors have years of experience. You’ll be treated if you’re over 18 and have been prescribed the treatment by a medical professional. https://luxeskin.co.uk/botox-for-migraines-does-it-work/