It was back in the nineties that Botox began showing up in cosmetic surgery facilities all across the country. It was primarily used to reduce unwanted wrinkles on the face, but as years went on, medical professionals began learning more about this injection and other potential benefits of it. Conditions such as poor bladder control and neck spasms were being positively treated with Botox. In the year 2010, the FDA approved Botox as a treatment option for chronic migraines when other treatments were not successful or brought upon unwanted side effects. Migraines can be extremely devastating as symptoms include pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and fatigue. There are a number of over-the-counter medications that people often utilize as a way to decrease the pain associated with a migraine, but they don’t tend to be effective enough for people who frequently get these headaches. Botox has been used on a number of occasions to treat and prevent migraines for patients that appear to be good candidates.
What Is The Process of Botox Injections?
Botox is created using the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium. Yes, this is the same bacteria that if you ingest it accidentally, you will become very ill. However, if we do controlled injections into the body, the nerve sensors in the body can actually become numbed or paralyzed. This can be beneficial when it comes to migraines, because pain sensors will be reduced in sensitivity. The injections themselves usually take place every one to three months and can be applied to areas of the body such as the forehead, the neck, the upper back, temples, etc. This depends on where a patient usually has the most pain. Each set of injections can be done in as little as fifteen minutes in many cases.
The Benefits
Many people who experience migraines on a frequent basis have tried a number of different treatments over the years. It helps to figure out certain triggers to help prevent migraines but this cannot always be controlled. For example, when the Canadian weather changes, just that drop in pressure can bring about a migraine. There isn’t a whole lot you can do about this. However, Botox injections can help prevent these future migraines from occurring. In the instance that you have a migraine, you may not be able to get immediate relief from that particular headache but your migraines will be prevented in the future if successful.
Are There Risks?
When it comes to migraine relief, there don’t seem to be many reported side effects. Some patients can have a bit of temporary pain or inflammation at the injection site, but that usually goes away within a day or two. This is the same for people who experience stiffness in the neck. The process of receiving the injections themselves, are very well-tolerated, even by people who are very nervous around needles.
Always attend a reputable medical facility when contemplating Botox injections for migraine relief. Experienced professionals such as our own Dr. Kamson, can help you decide if this is the right treatment for your migraines. If you end up being a good candidate for this treatment option, a qualified professional will be able to properly complete your procedure which can increase the potential for a successful outcome. If you would like more information on Botox for migraine therapy, contact The Spine Institute Northwest at (888) 712-0318. Our staff can help set you up with an appointment with one of our well-informed physicians.