The use of botulinum toxin injections has advanced tremendously over the last few years. Applications in cosmetic surgery and muscle spasticity disorder are now well recognized and are offered at a number of different centers all over the world. 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.
The origins of using this treatment for migraines
The results of botox injections into muscle tissue is that nerve signals are paralyzed, which blocks signals to muscles so they stay relaxed. It is produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium. 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.
Migraines and botox
Migraine is primarily mediated by the release of the neuro-chemical serotonin. Botox does not have any effect on this, but studies have shown that it can still help reduce pain in patients suffering from migraine.
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. The recommendations from the studies is to inject the botox into the scalp at around 31 -39 different points in patients. There are a number of theories that have been postulated:
The first thing is that nerve signal pain is stopped from being received.
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.
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.
What risks are there?
Botox injections into the scalp may cause neck pain and allergic reactions, but these are rare.
Summary
Botox injections are still relatively new when it comes to treatment for migraines, but it is gaining in popularity. 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.
The origins of using this treatment for migraines
The results of botox injections into muscle tissue is that nerve signals are paralyzed, which blocks signals to muscles so they stay relaxed. It is produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium. 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.
Migraines and botox
Migraine is primarily mediated by the release of the neuro-chemical serotonin. Botox does not have any effect on this, but studies have shown that it can still help reduce pain in patients suffering from migraine.
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. The recommendations from the studies is to inject the botox into the scalp at around 31 -39 different points in patients. There are a number of theories that have been postulated:
The first thing is that nerve signal pain is stopped from being received.
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.
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.
What risks are there?
Botox injections into the scalp may cause neck pain and allergic reactions, but these are rare.
Summary
Botox injections are still relatively new when it comes to treatment for migraines, but it is gaining in popularity. 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.
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