In recent times, the uses for botulinum toxin treatments has increased significantly. There are clinics that offer effective treatments for cosmetic reasons and also for muscle spasticity disorders as well. 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.
Background behind this idea
Botox injections work by paralyzing the nerves and blocking the flow of nerve signals, thus relaxing the muscles. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium contained in these injections, and that is the cause of the effect. 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
Migraine is primarily mediated by the release of the neuro-chemical serotonin. Treatments of botox do not affect that, but there is evidence that shows patients who find relief from migraine pain from the treatments.
This is still being researched and the reasons for the correlation are not clear at this time, but people are still pleased with the results they receive for their migraine issues. 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.
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.
Botox injections are recommended for chronic migraine sufferers who have had headaches for more than 15 days in a month and in those who have not responded to different drug treatments. There is another condition that migraine sufferers sometimes are face with at times called analgesic overuse headaches, which are caused by the overuse of painkiller medication.
If they treatments make it so that less than 15 days a month are headache free, or if they have at least 2 cycles of botox without seeing any relief, then this may not be the right treatment for that particular patient.
Are risks a factor?
There have been rare reports of allergic reactions or neck pain from botox scalp injections.
Summary
Botox injections are still relatively new when it comes to treatment for migraines, but it is gaining in popularity. Botox treatments for chronic migraine look like they are effective, but at this time, further study needs to be concluded in order for these claims to be verified.
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