In recent times, the uses for botulinum toxin treatments has increased significantly. Not only do clinics offer patients options to enhance their appearance using botox, there are other disorders that are treatable this way as well, including muscle spasticity. In the recent past, its use has now been extended to treating migraines.
In this article we shall take a brief look at this new application of botox injections.
The origins of using this treatment for migraines
Botox injections work by paralyzing the nerves and blocking the flow of nerve signals, thus relaxing the muscles. A bacterium called Clostridium botulinum causes this result. Its primary use is to relax the muscles around the eyes and other parts of the body, helping restore muscle tone and improving overall function.
Botox for migraine treatments
The release of the neuro-chemical serotonin is the main way for migraines to be mediated. This is not affected by botox, however, patients notice a decrease in pain from migraines after having the treatments.
While this is exciting news, it is still under investigation and there does not appear to be a clear reason as to how it can help reduce migraine headaches. There are 31 to 39 different injection points in the scalp for botox. The basic theories that have been presented so far:
First, that it blocks the nerves from transmitting pain signals.
Then, the blood pressure in the brain is reduced by the scalp muscles being relaxed.
Even though research is still in early stages, there appears to be good evidence supporting its use particularly because it can help reduce the frequency of headaches and also improve the quality of life of patients.
When a patient reports migraine headaches that happen for over 15 days a month, and do not receive relief from other types of treatment are sometimes recommended to have botox injections. A condition called 'analgesic overuse headache', which is headache due to overuse of painkillers, also needs to be ruled out.
Each patient is different, so in cases where botox is administered 2 times and the patient has no benefit then other options should be considered, but if it makes headaches occur less than 15 days per month, this is another signal of success.
Are risks a factor?
Botox injections into the scalp may cause neck pain and allergic reactions, but these are rare.
Conclusion
Migraines are now being treated by injections of botox, but it's still a new application for this condition. It's looking good for the future of botox for treating chronic migraine symptoms, but more studies need to be done to have more conclusive evidence.
In this article we shall take a brief look at this new application of botox injections.
The origins of using this treatment for migraines
Botox injections work by paralyzing the nerves and blocking the flow of nerve signals, thus relaxing the muscles. A bacterium called Clostridium botulinum causes this result. Its primary use is to relax the muscles around the eyes and other parts of the body, helping restore muscle tone and improving overall function.
Botox for migraine treatments
The release of the neuro-chemical serotonin is the main way for migraines to be mediated. This is not affected by botox, however, patients notice a decrease in pain from migraines after having the treatments.
While this is exciting news, it is still under investigation and there does not appear to be a clear reason as to how it can help reduce migraine headaches. There are 31 to 39 different injection points in the scalp for botox. The basic theories that have been presented so far:
First, that it blocks the nerves from transmitting pain signals.
Then, the blood pressure in the brain is reduced by the scalp muscles being relaxed.
Even though research is still in early stages, there appears to be good evidence supporting its use particularly because it can help reduce the frequency of headaches and also improve the quality of life of patients.
When a patient reports migraine headaches that happen for over 15 days a month, and do not receive relief from other types of treatment are sometimes recommended to have botox injections. A condition called 'analgesic overuse headache', which is headache due to overuse of painkillers, also needs to be ruled out.
Each patient is different, so in cases where botox is administered 2 times and the patient has no benefit then other options should be considered, but if it makes headaches occur less than 15 days per month, this is another signal of success.
Are risks a factor?
Botox injections into the scalp may cause neck pain and allergic reactions, but these are rare.
Conclusion
Migraines are now being treated by injections of botox, but it's still a new application for this condition. It's looking good for the future of botox for treating chronic migraine symptoms, but more studies need to be done to have more conclusive evidence.
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