How Does Botox Treat Migraines?

Many people associate Botox® with its ability to smooth wrinkles, but a growing number are using it to help manage chronic migraine headaches. And while this might sound a bit surprising, Botox is FDA-approved for this very purpose. 

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, regularly administers Botox to help relieve chronic migraines. Read on to learn how Botox works, what to expect, and how to know if you’re a candidate for this treatment.

How Botox helps with migraines

Botox is best known as an injectable cosmetic, but in 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for the treatment of chronic migraines. Migraines are chronic if you experience 15 or more headache days per month.

Botox is a neurotoxin that blocks nerve signals, preventing muscles from contracting. This effect smooths wrinkles and fine lines, but it also stops specific pathways from sending pain signals to your brain. At the same time, Botox appears to reduce sensitivity to common migraine triggers, making headaches less frequent and less severe.

When used cosmetically, Botox is injected into specific areas of the forehead and between the eyebrows. For migraines, it gets injected into targeted areas of the head and neck. A series of treatments can keep migraine headaches at bay and significantly improve your quality of life.

What to expect during Botox treatment

Botox can be an effective way to prevent chronic migraines, but it isn’t a quick fix and doesn’t provide immediate relief. Although treatment recommendations can vary, we typically recommend a series of 31 small injections distributed across seven specific areas of your head and neck. This process might sound like a lot, but each injection contains only 0.1 mL of medication, and the entire session usually lasts 15 minutes or less.

You can return to work and other activities after your appointment. However, avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 24 hours. 

It’s normal to have mild swelling, redness, and bruising at each injection site, but these symptoms should improve within 48 hours. It’s also important to know that Botox for chronic migraines isn’t a one-time treatment. We typically recommend follow-up sessions every 12 weeks for a total of four treatments per year.

Some people experience relief after the first session, but most start to see results after the second or third session. Be patient and stick with your treatment plan to give yourself the best chance at long-term relief.

Who is a good candidate?

You might be a good candidate for Botox treatment if you experience migraine headaches 15 or more days each month, which is especially true if you’ve tried lifestyle changes and prescription medication with limited success. 

If you’re concerned about price, there’s good news. Most insurance companies provide coverage, particularly for patients with a documented migraine history and severe symptoms. 

Schedule a Botox consultation for migraine headaches today

If chronic migraines affect your quality of life, Botox injections are worth considering. To schedule a Botox consultation, request an appointment by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or using the online booking tool today.