Migraines affect about 10% of the population worldwide, and women are affected at a much higher rate than men. Chronic migraine occurs more than 15 days out of the month and affects about 1% of the population1. If you experience headaches more than 5 days out of the month, you may be a candidate for botox. The benefits of botox for the treatment of chronic migraines were discovered while people were being treated with botox cosmetically. People were reporting fewer migraine headaches with the disappearance of their frown lines enough so that Botox was approved for the treatment of chronic migraine in 2010.
The effectiveness of Botox in the treatment of migraines works by reducing muscle contractions and blocking chemicals called neurotransmitters which carry pain signals in the brain. Typically, if Botoixis is working, individuals will see a 30-50% reduction in how many headaches they get each month2. Injections are given every 12 weeks and are generally well tolerated with few side effects.
Botox has become a standard treatment in headache centers around the country. Botox injections are well-tolerated, beneficial, and appear safe for long-term management of chronic migraine giving people who suffer from them a better quality of life. The use of botox alongside a comprehensive migraine management plan includes a healthy lifestyle, avoiding migraine triggers, and the use of abortive medications giving individuals relief from the chronic pain associated with migraine headaches.
If you suffer from chronic migraines and haven’t found relief with other medications, Botox may be able to help you get the benefits you seek. Schedule an appointment with the headache specialist at North Suffolk Neurology to learn more.
North Suffolk Neurology is a full-service Neurology, Headache Medicine, and Sleep Medicine practice. Our neurologists are board certified with a commitment to help patients and their families maintain and improve health.
