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.
Here, we will be discussing how botox injections can now be utilized for this purpose.
Background
The results of botox injections into muscle tissue is that nerve signals are paralyzed, which blocks signals to muscles so they stay relaxed. A bacterium called Clostridium botulinum causes this result. Eye muscles can be relaxed this way, as well as muscles in other areas, of a patient's body, which can help rebuild muscle tone and restore function to higher levels.
Botox in migraine
The release of serotonin which is a neuro-chemical, is how migraines are mediated. Treatments of botox do not affect that, but there is evidence that shows patients who find relief from migraine pain from the treatments.
People are looking forward to the new research that is being done that seems to show that migraines can be reduced using these treatments. Botox has been suggested to be injected at 31 to 39 different points in the scalp. The most common theories that have been put forth:
Number one would be that pain signals in nerves are blocked by these injections.
After that, the muscles in the scalp are relaxed, which in turn, causes the brain to have a lower blood pressure.
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.
If other treatment methods are not effective for a patient and they have at least 15 days a month of migraines, this is when botox injections are typically suggested by a medical professional. A condition called 'analgesic overuse headache', which is headache due to overuse of painkillers, also needs to be ruled out.
Treatments should be stopped if 2 cycles of botox injection treatments have failed, or the character of the migraine has changed and no longer meets the criteria of occurring on 15 days of a month.
Are risks a factor?
There have been rare reports of allergic reactions or neck pain from botox scalp injections.
Summary
The uses of botox are still growing and its application in migraine is novel. Research is still being conducted and the results so far have been promising, making it a treatment that is currently approved in managing chronic migraine.
Here, we will be discussing how botox injections can now be utilized for this purpose.
Background
The results of botox injections into muscle tissue is that nerve signals are paralyzed, which blocks signals to muscles so they stay relaxed. A bacterium called Clostridium botulinum causes this result. Eye muscles can be relaxed this way, as well as muscles in other areas, of a patient's body, which can help rebuild muscle tone and restore function to higher levels.
Botox in migraine
The release of serotonin which is a neuro-chemical, is how migraines are mediated. Treatments of botox do not affect that, but there is evidence that shows patients who find relief from migraine pain from the treatments.
People are looking forward to the new research that is being done that seems to show that migraines can be reduced using these treatments. Botox has been suggested to be injected at 31 to 39 different points in the scalp. The most common theories that have been put forth:
Number one would be that pain signals in nerves are blocked by these injections.
After that, the muscles in the scalp are relaxed, which in turn, causes the brain to have a lower blood pressure.
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.
If other treatment methods are not effective for a patient and they have at least 15 days a month of migraines, this is when botox injections are typically suggested by a medical professional. A condition called 'analgesic overuse headache', which is headache due to overuse of painkillers, also needs to be ruled out.
Treatments should be stopped if 2 cycles of botox injection treatments have failed, or the character of the migraine has changed and no longer meets the criteria of occurring on 15 days of a month.
Are risks a factor?
There have been rare reports of allergic reactions or neck pain from botox scalp injections.
Summary
The uses of botox are still growing and its application in migraine is novel. Research is still being conducted and the results so far have been promising, making it a treatment that is currently approved in managing chronic migraine.