Treating Your Migraines With Botox® and How It Works

These days, it seems like all kinds of ailments can be treated with Botox®. Botox is approved to treat fine lines and wrinkles, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, and more. If you suffer from chronic migraines caused by muscle tension or nerve pain, Botox injections might be able to prevent or reduce symptoms. 

At Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine in Ramsey, New Jersey, our team of specialists not only provides vein treatments but can help you with migraine symptoms by delivering targeted Botox injections for pain management. 

Why Botox works 

Like many other medical inventions, Botox has its historical  roots where you wouldn’t expect. Its ability to temporarily paralyze nerves made it a topic of great medical interest in the 1970s, when it was used to treat the overly tight eye muscles responsible for strabismus, or lazy eye. 

This surgical alternative resulted in research that provided more control over the strength of the paralytic and led to the exploration and development of botulinum toxin type A for various medical conditions. 

Botox works for migraines the same way it works for lazy eyes. In cases of strabismus, the eye is pulled in one direction by a tense muscle. A targeted injection can relax the tiny, overactive muscle, providing temporary relief. 

For migraines, such precise accuracy might be just what you need. Many treatments only attempt to minimize flare-ups and control symptoms, such as pain, but this isn’t always effective. If your migraines are caused by certain muscles pulling and putting pressure on nerves in your face, jaw, or neck, the specialists at Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine can find them and put them at ease. 

Who is a good candidate

If Botox was a cure-all for migraines, it wouldn’t be known primarily as a cosmetic. Not all migraines are rooted in the same factors. Many people have migraines caused by stress, barometric pressure, and even distinct triggers. 

This is why the diagnostic stage is so important when treating migraines. If you haven’t explored potential causes for your migraines, including common ones like lack of sleep, diet, and dehydration, you might be overlooking clear solutions and triggers.

However, if you’ve found yourself frustrated at the lack of relief, it might be time to consider Botox for migraines. The injections are distributed around your head and neck, blocking pain signals to the brain. 

Many people report fewer migraines within five rounds of treatment, with notably more “crystal-clear” days with no pain at all. You’ll know pretty quickly if it isn’t working for you, in which case further treatment is not necessary. If you do gain relief, you’ll have regular treatments at intervals to maintain pain relief.

To learn more and discuss whether you’re a good candidate for Botox migraine treatment, call 201-201-0443, or request an appointment online.