Having frequent migraines means you know all too well that they aren’t “just a headache.” They cause throbbing pain and light sensitivity that wreak havoc on your work and family life. Nausea and vision disturbances are also common, affecting your general well-being. If oral medications, lifestyle modifications and stress relief haven’t done enough to relieve your frequent migraines, you may find relief with botulinum toxin injectables.
Understanding Chronic Migraines
Migraines that occur 15 or more days per month are considered chronic migraines. Eight or more of those days must include migraine symptoms. Chronic migraines are often linked to a combination of neurological issues and muscular tension. This can include oversensitivity of nerves and chronic tightness of the muscles in the head, neck and shoulders.
Muscle tightness is one cause of pain that many of our patients can relate to and can lead to the occurrence of migraines or make them worse. This is where botulinum toxin injectables can help.
Treating Migraines with Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum toxin prevents specific nerve signals from reaching targeted muscles, temporarily paralyzing them. Injected into key locations on the head and neck, botulinum toxin can:
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Relieve tension in overstimulated muscles
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Limit nerve activation that can cause migraine pain
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Help prevent migraines from occurring as frequently or intensely
Instead of only addressing pain once it begins, injections help prevent migraines from occurring altogether. As a result, patients typically notice a reduction in both the number of days they experience migraine pain and the severity of those migraine days over time.
The Migraine Treatment Procedure
Migraine treatments using botulinum toxin are a non-invasive in-office procedure. During your treatment session, a provider will inject several small doses into specific points on the forehead, temples, back of the head and neck.
The entire process takes 15–30 minutes so you can return to your daily activities after treatment. Some patients experience relief in as little as a few weeks, but most patients receive the full benefits after their second treatment. Typical treatment plans call for injections every 12 weeks.
Benefits of Botulinum Toxin for Migraine Relief
Patients who benefit from treatment may experience:
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Less migraine days per month
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Shorter migraine duration
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Lower pain intensity
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Decreased use of pain medications
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Improved quality of life
Patients who suffer from chronic migraines and have been unsuccessful in finding relief for years understand how life-changing these results can be.
Injectables for migraine pain relief
Who Should Consider This Treatment?
Botulinum toxin injections may be most appropriate for adult patients with chronic migraine who have failed other treatments. It’s important to discuss with a qualified provider if this treatment is right for you.
They will likely ask about your migraine frequency, medical history, previous treatments, and more before creating a customized plan.
A Preventative Approach to Lasting Relief
Daily migraines are no laughing matter but they don’t have to be a part of your everyday life. Botulinum toxin injectables are clinically proven preventative treatment options that address the cause of migraines. Start your journey towards lasting relief from migraines with regular injections and professional care.
Contact our office today to speak with a professional to learn if botulinum toxin treatments may be right for you. At Alpenglow Dental in Salt Lake City, we want to educate our patients on all of their options for migraine treatments and prevention. Botulinum toxin injections from our office are a safe and effective way to treat headaches before they happen. Dr. Benzon will perform a comprehensive exam to determine if you are a good candidate and go over every step of the process with you. Call (801) 883-9177 today to schedule your free consultation or book an appointment online today. We look forward to seeing you!
