Jun 16, 2013

Botox As A Migraine Treatment

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By Cali Marinaw


There has been many new uses for botulinum toxin injections in recent years in the cosmetic medicine industry. Not only do clinics offer patients options to enhance their appearance using botox, there are other disorders that are treatable this way as well, including muscle spasticity. For a short time now, some patients have been receiving botox injections in order to treat their migraines.

Below, we will be going over how botox treatments have been used as of late to for this reason.

The origins of using this treatment for migraines

The results of botox injections into muscle tissue is that nerve signals are paralyzed, which blocks signals to muscles so they stay relaxed. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium contained in these injections, and that is the cause of the effect. The main usage is for muscles different parts of the eyes, face and body to be relaxed, which will increase muscle tone and make the general muscle function be improved.

Migraines and botox

Migraine is primarily mediated by the release of the neuro-chemical serotonin. Treatments of botox do not affect that, but there is evidence that shows patients who find relief from migraine pain from the treatments.

People are looking forward to the new research that is being done that seems to show that migraines can be reduced using these treatments. Botox has been suggested to be injected at 31 to 39 different points in the scalp. The most common theories that have been put forth:

Number one would be that pain signals in nerves are blocked by these injections.

Next, that it relaxes the scalp muscles and may help reduce blood pressure within the brain

The research is still preliminary, but at this point, it seems that patients are finding that their headaches are less painful and frequent, and they are happier in general.

If other treatment methods are not effective for a patient and they have at least 15 days a month of migraines, this is when botox injections are typically suggested by a medical professional. Analgesic overuse headaches happen when a patient over5uses painkiller medications, so this must be examined for patients as well.

Treatments should be stopped if 2 cycles of botox injection treatments have failed, or the character of the migraine has changed and no longer meets the criteria of occurring on 15 days of a month.

Are risks a factor?

Botox injections into the scalp may cause neck pain and allergic reactions, but these are rare.

Conclusion

The uses of botox are still growing and its application in migraine is novel. Botox treatments for chronic migraine look like they are effective, but at this time, further study needs to be concluded in order for these claims to be verified.




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