If you’ve experience severe, throbbing head pain, a pulsing sensation with flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling on one side of your face, arms or legs, you’re likely among the 39 million Americans who experience migraine headaches.
Chronic migraines—meaning you have severe headaches at least 15 days each month—is a common, potentially debilitating disorder, according to John Wald, M.D., a neurologist at Henry Ford Health.
"More than half of those who experience migraines report reduced performance at school or work, and nearly all have missed important family gatherings, social events, or celebrations due to migraine symptoms," says Dr. Wald.
Thankfully, there are effective treatment options that can help - including prescription and over-the-counter medications, massage therapy, acupuncture and relaxation exercises.
How Botox Works For Migraine Relief
Another powerful treatment option available to migraine sufferers is Botox, a neurotoxin that was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 for the treatment of chronic migraines. Using a tiny needle, Botox is injected into the muscles under the skin around the forehead, the side and back of the head, and the neck and shoulders.
“Research shows that injecting Botox into these muscles causes an interruption in the pain pathways around those areas,” says Dr. Wald. "As a result, overactive muscles can relax, and pain signals are blocked from reaching the brain. Botox treatments can be a life changer. For many of my patients with chronic migraine headaches, Botox treatments have proven to be effective in reducing headache severity and frequency, with many of them experiencing a more than 50% reduction in severity and frequency.”
It’s important to understand that Botox is not an immediate, one-and-done solution for chronic migraine pain. It may take up to four weeks or more to notice the benefits—and multiple treatments may be needed before you experience fewer migraines. Also, most patients require ongoing treatments to manage their headache symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about a plan to help prevent or reduce your migraine symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
Reviewed by John Wald, M.D., a neurologist who sees patients at Henry Ford Neurology in Jackson.
