When to Consider Botox® for Your Migraines

Migraines are a type of headache condition that causes severe and often debilitating pain. Unlike a tension headache, migraines can last for days 一 anywhere from four to 72 hours. In addition to intense head pain and throbbing, migraines can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sounds.

Understandably, migraines can dramatically impact your quality of life, making it hard to function at home or at work. As a top-ranked neurologist, Lenny Cohen, MD, offers many types of migraine treatments 一 preventive medication, pain relief medication, Botox ® injections, and occipital nerve blocks 一 here at Chicago Neurological Services. 

In this blog, Dr. Cohen highlights one specific treatment: Botox® injections. Read on to learn more about Botox injections for migraines and when you should consider them.

How does Botox help with migraines?

While Botox is best known for its cosmetic uses, it was first used medically in the 1970s. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including overactive bladder, eye spasms, and migraines. 

When injected into specific areas around your head and neck, Botox can help prevent migraines by:

• Reducing muscle contractions
• Modulating (influencing) pain perception

In other words, Botox works by blocking the release of certain neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling so you feel less pain.

When should you consider Botox for migraines?

You might consider Botox for migraines if:

You have more than 15 headache days per month

If you experience chronic migraines 一 15 or more headache days per month, with each headache lasting 4 or more hours 一 you might be a candidate for Botox treatment. Botox has been FDA-approved for the prevention of chronic migraines and offers a potential solution for those dealing with frequent and severe episodes.

You’ve already tried other options

If traditional migraine treatments, such as medications or lifestyle changes, haven’t provided the relief you need, we may consider Botox. Most insurances require the failure of at least 2 preventive agents for migraine headaches before being eligible for Botox.

You’re committed to the dosage schedule

Botox for migraines involves a series of injections administered approximately every 12 weeks. The treatment is not a one-time fix; consistent adherence to the recommended schedule is the key to getting the desired results.

You meet the eligibility criteria

When you meet with Dr. Cohen for your migraines, he reviews your medical and migraine history. Contraindications for Botox for migraines include having an allergy or hypersensitivity to the injection ingredients or having an active infection at the injection site. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you and Dr. Cohen discuss your treatment schedule and what you must do to prepare for your appointment.

Get relief from your migraines

Chronic migraines can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to battle them on your own any longer. Our Chicago Neurological Services team is here to help you identify and avoid your triggers and find the right treatment, whether Botox injections or another type of medication. 

Call the location of your choice 一 Roscoe Village or Oak Park, Illinois 一 to get started. You can also click here to book an appointment online.