Why Botox® May Be the Solution to Managing Your Migraine Pain

Twenty-five percent of households in the United States deal with migraine pain. And 90% of people who get migraines report major interference with their social life, career, or education. 

If you suffer from migraines, you may want to consider Botox® injections. This minimally invasive treatment can help prevent or minimize migraine symptoms for good candidates. 

At his New Rochelle, New York offices, fellowship-trained neurologist Dr. Farhad Elyaderani provides Botox for neurological issues, including migraine pain. 

Let’s take a closer look at migraine pain, including how this injectable treatment can help.

The toll of migraines

Migraine headaches are more severe than most other types of headaches, such as tension headaches. They can start with or without aura, a period preceding the headache that involves sensory, motor, or vision problems. A migraine aura might cause you to see zigzag lines, for example, or struggle to speak normally – usually for 30-60 minutes.

While migraines can crop up seemingly at random, common triggers include alcohol, caffeine, dehydration, menstrual hormone changes, and stress. So, if you’re already stressed or enduring a rough menstrual period, a related migraine can make matters worse.

Once a migraine sets in, your symptoms may include:

• Debilitating one-sided head pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Sleep challenges
• Throbbing head pain
• Vision changes 

A migraine may last for 4-72 hours. Once it’s over, you’re likely to experience woozy hangover-like effects known as the postdrome stage.

How Botox helps migraine pain

While Botox has a popular reputation for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, it’s also a powerful way to invite migraine relief. The toxins contained in Botox relax muscles in the treatment area by blocking compounds involved with pain signals to your brain. 

Intended for adults who experience chronic migraine, a condition marked by 15 or more flare-up days each month, Botox injections can help reduce your symptoms and prevent migraine attacks.  

What to expect from Botox migraine treatment

Botox migraine treatment usually takes about 10 minutes, performed every three months in our office. On average, chronic migraine treatment consists of 31 injections every 12 weeks. Dr. Farhad Elyaderani will determine your treatment specifics, including the location and amount of Botox injected, based on your overall health and symptoms.

During each injection, you may experience brief discomfort comparable to a tiny pinch or bee sting. We can apply topical numbing cream or ice for added ease if you'd like. Botox migraine injection sites include your forehead, upper neck, shoulders, temples, and the back of your head. 

Once your Botox injections are complete, you can return to your usual daily activities. Side effects, such as redness and swelling, tend to be mild and resolve quickly on their own. 

Since individual results vary, you’ll likely need at least two treatments to determine if it’s helping sufficiently. Botox for migraines is considered successful if you have 30-50% fewer headaches or significantly fewer symptoms. 

To learn more about Botox or Dysport, which works similarly for migraines, or find out if you’re a good candidate, call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani or request an appointment online today.