What To Know About Getting Botox For Your Migraines
As more information comes out revealing how Botox can help with migraines, more people are considering the alternative method. Although studies have proven Botox to be effective in reducing migraine symptoms, there are specific things you should know if considering the treatment.
Botox is effective in reducing migraine headaches as the solution is able to block neurotransmitters, which is the chemical that signals your brain to experience pain.
When it comes to the medical advantages of Botox and how effective it actually is, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the treatment. Research is essential to help you make an educated decision.
Some say the treatment works instantaneously, while others preach that Botox is unsafe and ineffective. Like any medical treatment, it’s important to develop pre-existing knowledge so that you can ask the right questions when discussing your options with a professional.
These are the main things you should know if you are considering getting Botox for your migraines:
How It Works
Botox is used to prevent neurotransmitters from sending the pain signals to your brain that bring on migraines. The way that the procedure works is that Botox is injected into affected areas — specifically, head muscles and central neck areas.
The injections are made with a very fine, small needle for minimum discomfort during the procedure.
The treatment involves 31 injections total for every session, and this repeats every 12 weeks dependent on if you continue the treatment.
How Long It Takes
According to the American Migraine Foundation, your first session should take a maximum of 20 minutes. You should feel the results between 2 to 3 weeks after your first procedure.
Health Canada Approves It
According to Migraine Canada, the use of Botox for migraines was approved by Health Canada back in 2011. If you have any questions regarding the safety or effectiveness of the procedure, you can rest easy knowing that Botox is an approved method to reduce migraine symptoms.
The More Migraines You Have, the More Effective it Is
According to WebMD, Botox is suggested for chronic migraines — in other words, if you have migraines 15 or more days of the month. This method is not suggested for those who experience less than this amount of migraines on a monthly basis.
The average cost for Botox for migraines is between $300 to $600 for each treatment, which covers the dosage of 155 units recommended by the FDA. The good news is that because the procedure is FDA approved, various health plans cover its cost.
It’s important to know, however, that to get Botox approved as a treatment for your migraines, you need to show proof that you have tried two other preventative measures that haven’t been effective. These alternative treatments include the following:
- Anti-seizure medications
- Blood pressure medications
- Antidepressants
How Effective is it?
According to the American Migraine Foundation, those who usually experience 15 or more migraines a month cut their migraine frequency by 50 percent when they use Botox treatments.
Don’t allow yourself to be misled by myths about the effects and disadvantages of Botox. Be sure to do research so that you can make an educated decision if Botox is the best option for you and your chronic migraines.
