How Botox® Can Help You Find Migraine Relief

Migraine headaches affect millions of Americans. Unfortunately, traditional treatments like prescription medication don’t always provide lasting relief. That’s especially true if your symptoms are chronic, meaning you have migraines for 15 or more days each month.

At the Migraine and Headache Center of Florida in Altamonte Springs, board-certified headache specialist Bernadette Nazario-Lopez, MD, PharmD, specializes in migraine treatment, including Botox®. Here, we explain Botox and how it can provide lasting migraine relief. 

What is Botox for migraines?

Botox is an injectable drug developed initially to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about nine million Americans get Botox each year, making it one of the most popular cosmetic treatments. 

What you might not know is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox for chronic migraine treatment in 2010. Since then, millions of people with migraine have relied on Botox to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. 

Am I a candidate for Botox treatment?

Consider Botox injections for migraines if you’re 18 or older and have chronic migraines. Chronic migraines are defined as having 15 or more headache days per month,  from which at least 8 are migraine days.

Tell Dr. Nazario-Lopez if you’re allergic to botulinum toxin. Likewise, let her know if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any other medical conditions. Certain health issues can prevent you from receiving Botox, so she must be aware.

How Botox for migraine headaches works

During Botox treatment for migraines, Dr. Nazario-Lopez injects Botox into strategic areas on your forehead and face. The injection sites are located near pain fibers responsible for migraine symptoms. 

Once Botox enters your body, it envelops the nerve endings responsible for migraine headaches and blocks pain signals from reaching your brain. This stops the pain centers in your brain from activating and provides migraine relief for 10-12 weeks.

Although results vary, most people experience a 50% reduction in migraines per month and sometimes more. 

Will I need more than one Botox treatment?

The number of Botox treatments needed to relieve migraine headaches varies, but you may need at least two treatments spaced 12 weeks apart to start noticing results.* 

Each treatment session takes about 20 minutes and involves 31 injections in several key areas of your head and neck. 

Some people experience significant relief after just one Botox treatment, but it may take more than one session. For instance, most people report lasting symptom relief after six months of regular Botox treatments. During this time, you can continue taking other migraine medication without worrying about negative interactions.

Schedule a Botox consultation today!

Migraine headaches can sap your energy and make routine activities, like work, nearly impossible. Botox provides a quick, effective treatment option for lasting relief. To see if you’re a candidate, schedule a Botox consultation today. Contact us by calling the office or booking your appointment online.

*Individual results may vary.