At New York Bone and Joint Specialists, we are trained and experienced in providing BOTOX treatment for chronic migraines and headaches. OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) has been shown to be helpful in treating chronic migraine headaches in adults.
Patients who have undergone a trial of oral medications with no migraine pain relief are eligible to undergo BOTOX migraine treatment. Most insurances cover the procedure, which is also FDA approved.
Small injections are made in the forehead and neck muscles during the procedure. BOTOX migraine treatment generally needs to be repeated every 12 weeks when it has proven to be effective for a patient.
HOW DOES BOTOX WORK IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC MIGRAINES?
As of now, there is no definitive answer to this question. Botulinum toxin (BOTOX) has been shown to reduce pain in a number conditions such as bladder pain, myofascial pain, spasticity, lower back pain, neuropathic pain and cervical dystonia.
The reduced pain in these conditions is a result of relaxing overactive muscles. However, muscle relaxation is not thought to the be reason that it works so well for migraines. Currently, BOTOX is believed to inhibit the release of peripheral nociceptive neurotransmitters, which may then have a knock-on effect on the central pain processing systems that generate migraine headaches.
